Dinan Springs came in...

Chuck I · 11-22-2008, 04:22 PM

Well, my springs came in last night... I weighed them right away.. The front weighed 3.4 lbs. and the rears weighed 6.4. I went out and installed the rears this afternoon. It took about 20 minutes for each side. Btw the OEM rear spring weighs 6.6 lbs. I posted some pictures, before, during and after. Not a hard thing to do at all.. I will be having a shop in town put on the fronts (I think... it depends how brave I feel tomorrow!). The first thing I notice is that the car sits a little less than 1/2 inch lower BUT the springs have not settled in. I just took it around the block... so well see what the height difference is in a few days.. More to come... Chuck I

03BeastCharmer · 11-22-2008, 04:54 PM

When you had the rear spring out did you do any non-scientific comparison of how stiff the Dinan springs were compared to stock?

Chuck I · 11-22-2008, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 03BeastCharmer

When you had the rear spring out did you do any non-scientific comparison of how stiff the Dinan springs were compared to stock?

well...sort of... I can tell the Dinan was stiffer, but it's also shorter... I just put my weight on it to see how far I could compress it... that wasn't very far and that wasn't much of a test.. Chuck I

mpower03 · 11-22-2008, 06:10 PM

how is the ride compared to stock? do you have any other pictures of the car with the springs installed?

MMMazing07 · 11-22-2008, 06:20 PM

more pics

and how much were they (feel free to PM me)

jarrow · 11-22-2008, 06:35 PM

There is a special at Dinan going on and they are 1/2 price for the z4M, $220 for the set.

Chuck I · 11-22-2008, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpower03

how is the ride compared to stock? do you have any other pictures of the car with the springs installed?

I just put them on this afternoon (Saturday) and just did the rears. I have to make an appointment to get the front ones done.. I'll take more pictures as it progresses. I just took it around the block so I haven't had chance to tell any difference yet.. Chuck I

mpower03 · 11-22-2008, 09:11 PM

ok thanks, i am highly considering on purchasing a set of these. when you have everyting done would it be possible to write a review and post pics? Thanks

Chuck I · 11-23-2008, 07:14 PM

Well, I couldn't wait.. It was a great day today, so it was off to the garage.. The first thing I did was remove my Strong Strut and replace the original nuts. I wanted to make sure I kept the vertical alignment of the shock and the Strong Strut was blocking my view. Then I jacked the car up using the center jacking point and put jack stands under each side. Next I removed the wheels. I started on the passenger side simply because I happened to be standing on that side at the time. I followed standard process of replacing the spring. There are several DIYs over on Bimmerfest. Anyway, got it done in about 5 hours. I just took it out and so far, I like what I feel.. It's really flat and the ride is firmer than the stock springs, but not bad at all.. I'm going to drive it for about a week and then have the alignment checked. Right now it's tracking perfectly, but I know better after a few miles.. Right now it dropped a little less than 1/2 inch but I'll see how much it goes down after the springs settle in. Here's a couple pictures, more in the day light tomorrow.. Chuck I

MMMazing07 · 11-23-2008, 10:07 PM

nice! looking forward to more pics and thorough review. the special price from dinan is hard to resist right now

Chuck I · 11-24-2008, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMMazing07

nice! looking forward to more pics and thorough review. the special price from dinan is hard to resist right now

I'm going to try and get home from work before dark. If I do, I'll take a couple pictures. Chuck I

03BeastCharmer · 11-26-2008, 09:13 AM

Any feedback on the feel of the car now that you have had them on for a few days?

Chuck I · 11-26-2008, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 03BeastCharmer

Any feedback on the feel of the car now that you have had them on for a few days?

To be honest, it's been bad weather here over the past couple days and I haven't had the car out. I will have it out tomorrow and will take some pictures and give you an update... Chuck I

Chuck I · 11-27-2008, 10:02 AM

I had my car out this morning. First, to be honest, if you were looking for springs that would lower your car, these probably aren't them. The car dropped a little under 1/2 inch. If I didn't take a tape them or compare them right next to my Z4, I'm not sure I'd notice the drop. BUT, that being said, the ride firmer and the handling in a tight power turn is much better. I didn't have any noticible understeer this morning and I was hitting the turns pretty hard. These are not the springs you want if you wanted a softer ride.. but their great if you like basic stuff. Nothing fancy here, like the M itself, just fun! Below are two pictures, one from the summer and one this morning. Chuck I

Incompatible · 11-27-2008, 01:16 PM

Chuck,
Did you notice any difference in accelleration rear squat?

Chuck I · 11-27-2008, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Incompatible

Chuck,
Did you notice any difference in accelleration rear squat?

These are firmer than the OEM springs and have a little less squat but with all the torque it still goes down. My thought is, for the money and the fact that I was able to install them myself, they are well worth the price. For those who want a more agressive stance, they may not fit the bill. Chuck I

Burt Reynolds · 11-28-2008, 02:35 PM

They might settle in a bit more once you get a few hundred miles on them. Can you take another picture then and post impressions again too?

Chuck I · 11-30-2008, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burt Reynolds

They might settle in a bit more once you get a few hundred miles on them. Can you take another picture then and post impressions again too?

I sure will... Chuck I

nmulax · 01-29-2009, 03:21 PM

Chuck, any updates on these? Have they settled in any further?

Chuck I · 01-29-2009, 07:08 PM

The front springs have settled in very nicely... see the picture.. The rears haven't gone down quite as much as I would like, but I think they will as I put more miles on.. Chuck I

Z4MCJJ · 02-19-2009, 01:20 AM

How are the springs now? Do you notice ride improvement?

Chuck I · 02-28-2009, 10:08 AM

Well, I was finally able to get the M out today. I just got my DME back from ECC and wanted to check it out. Well I really put the car to the test today and back springs really settled in. Now the car is perfectly level all the way round. Now if only Spring would get here! Chuck I

11-22-2008, 04:22 PM	#1
Chuck I Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 259 Posts Drives: '03 Z4 + '07 ///M Roadster Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Stephens City, VA USA iTrader: (0)	Dinan Springs came in... Well, my springs came in last night... I weighed them right away.. The front weighed 3.4 lbs. and the rears weighed 6.4. I went out and installed the rears this afternoon. It took about 20 minutes for each side. Btw the OEM rear spring weighs 6.6 lbs. I posted some pictures, before, during and after. Not a hard thing to do at all.. I will be having a shop in town put on the fronts (I think... it depends how brave I feel tomorrow!). The first thing I notice is that the car sits a little less than 1/2 inch lower BUT the springs have not settled in. I just took it around the block... so well see what the height difference is in a few days.. More to come... Chuck I Attached Images
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11-22-2008, 04:54 PM	#2
03BeastCharmer Lieutenant Colonel 257 Rep 1,660 Posts Drives: '13 M3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Houston iTrader: (3)	When you had the rear spring out did you do any non-scientific comparison of how stiff the Dinan springs were compared to stock? __________________ Current: '13 E92 M3 Euro Delivery Gone: E86 M Coupe; E30 M3, E39 M5, E36 M3
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11-22-2008, 06:10 PM	#4
mpower03 Captain 39 Rep 962 Posts Drives: 08 z4 M Coupe Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: FL iTrader: (2)	how is the ride compared to stock? do you have any other pictures of the car with the springs installed? __________________
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11-22-2008, 06:20 PM	#5
MMMazing07 More than you can afford pal....ferrari 180 Rep 1,471 Posts Drives: Z4M Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	more pics and how much were they (feel free to PM me)
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11-22-2008, 06:35 PM	#6
jarrow Private First Class 5 Rep 150 Posts Drives: 2004 Z4 3.0i Join Date: May 2007 Location: Webster, NY iTrader: (5) Garage List 2004 z4 3.0i [2.00]	There is a special at Dinan going on and they are 1/2 price for the z4M, $220 for the set.
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11-22-2008, 09:11 PM	#8
mpower03 Captain 39 Rep 962 Posts Drives: 08 z4 M Coupe Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: FL iTrader: (2)	ok thanks, i am highly considering on purchasing a set of these. when you have everyting done would it be possible to write a review and post pics? Thanks __________________
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11-23-2008, 07:14 PM	#9
Chuck I Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 259 Posts Drives: '03 Z4 + '07 ///M Roadster Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Stephens City, VA USA iTrader: (0)	Did the Front Struts today.. Well, I couldn't wait.. It was a great day today, so it was off to the garage.. The first thing I did was remove my Strong Strut and replace the original nuts. I wanted to make sure I kept the vertical alignment of the shock and the Strong Strut was blocking my view. Then I jacked the car up using the center jacking point and put jack stands under each side. Next I removed the wheels. I started on the passenger side simply because I happened to be standing on that side at the time. I followed standard process of replacing the spring. There are several DIYs over on Bimmerfest. Anyway, got it done in about 5 hours. I just took it out and so far, I like what I feel.. It's really flat and the ride is firmer than the stock springs, but not bad at all.. I'm going to drive it for about a week and then have the alignment checked. Right now it's tracking perfectly, but I know better after a few miles.. Right now it dropped a little less than 1/2 inch but I'll see how much it goes down after the springs settle in. Here's a couple pictures, more in the day light tomorrow.. Chuck I Attached Images
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11-23-2008, 10:07 PM	#10
MMMazing07 More than you can afford pal....ferrari 180 Rep 1,471 Posts Drives: Z4M Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	nice! looking forward to more pics and thorough review. the special price from dinan is hard to resist right now
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11-26-2008, 09:13 AM	#12
03BeastCharmer Lieutenant Colonel 257 Rep 1,660 Posts Drives: '13 M3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Houston iTrader: (3)	Any feedback on the feel of the car now that you have had them on for a few days? __________________ Current: '13 E92 M3 Euro Delivery Gone: E86 M Coupe; E30 M3, E39 M5, E36 M3
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11-27-2008, 10:02 AM	#14
Chuck I Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 259 Posts Drives: '03 Z4 + '07 ///M Roadster Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Stephens City, VA USA iTrader: (0)	Well, to be honest.. I had my car out this morning. First, to be honest, if you were looking for springs that would lower your car, these probably aren't them. The car dropped a little under 1/2 inch. If I didn't take a tape them or compare them right next to my Z4, I'm not sure I'd notice the drop. BUT, that being said, the ride firmer and the handling in a tight power turn is much better. I didn't have any noticible understeer this morning and I was hitting the turns pretty hard. These are not the springs you want if you wanted a softer ride.. but their great if you like basic stuff. Nothing fancy here, like the M itself, just fun! Below are two pictures, one from the summer and one this morning. Chuck I Attached Images
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11-27-2008, 01:16 PM	#15
Incompatible Major 55 Rep 1,224 Posts Drives: 07 AW Z4C 3.0Si Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1)	Chuck, Did you notice any difference in accelleration rear squat? __________________ If you can't take the time to teach a kid something good, someone will take the time to teach them something bad.
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11-28-2008, 02:35 PM	#17
Burt Reynolds Captain 53 Rep 689 Posts Drives: 2007 M Coupe Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Windy City iTrader: (0)	They might settle in a bit more once you get a few hundred miles on them. Can you take another picture then and post impressions again too? __________________ 2007 M Coupe w/NAV/Premium/Extended Leather, Clearbra, DICE, 4.10 BMW Motorsport Polished LSD, Active Autowerke Gen IV Headers, Supersprint Race Exhaust and X-Pipe, ESS Tuned DME, KWV3 Coilovers, Volk RE30, OEM Strut Tower Brace, Short Antenna, JL AMP, JL 10W7, Valentine V1.
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01-29-2009, 03:21 PM	#19
nmulax Brigadier General 378 Rep 4,320 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: May 2006 Location: Metro-Detroit iTrader: (5) Garage List 2007 Z4M Coupé [7.66]	Chuck, any updates on these? Have they settled in any further? __________________
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01-29-2009, 07:08 PM	#20
Chuck I Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 259 Posts Drives: '03 Z4 + '07 ///M Roadster Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Stephens City, VA USA iTrader: (0)	The front has settled in.. The front springs have settled in very nicely... see the picture.. The rears haven't gone down quite as much as I would like, but I think they will as I put more miles on.. Chuck I Attached Images
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02-19-2009, 01:20 AM	#21
Z4MCJJ Lieutenant 4 Rep 448 Posts Drives: Z4MC Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Z4MC iTrader: (0)	How are the springs now? Do you notice ride improvement?
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02-28-2009, 10:08 AM	#22
Chuck I Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 259 Posts Drives: '03 Z4 + '07 ///M Roadster Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Stephens City, VA USA iTrader: (0)	Settled in nicely.. Well, I was finally able to get the M out today. I just got my DME back from ECC and wanted to check it out. Well I really put the car to the test today and back springs really settled in. Now the car is perfectly level all the way round. Now if only Spring would get here! Chuck I
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