ZHP Suspension on a Touring????

Has anyone successfully installed the ZHP suspension on a e46 touring with good results?

I currently have a touring with the sport package and it does sit low but I was told that the rear spring on the touring is taller than the coupe and sedans to handle cargo weight.


Any insight would be much appreciated. I drove a ZHP and loved the suspension.

No one has any idea???

Just buy the shocks if you want to do it. ZHP springs are the same as the sport package springs so no benefit to swapping those. Koni FSD would probably be a better value if you're buying new.

I am buying them used for a reasonable price. I would like to hear from someone else who had done this on a touring. If the rear springs are taller than the sedan/coupe rear springs then that may not work at all with the ZHP shocks. Don't want to waste time and money.

Anyone done this? Maybe Bueller? Anyone?

bump

Originally Posted by BMW4LIFE27

I am buying them used for a reasonable price. I would like to hear from someone else who had done this on a touring. If the rear springs are taller than the sedan/coupe rear springs then that may not work at all with the ZHP shocks. Don't want to waste time and money.

Even if the springs were taller (which I don't think they are, they are a slightly high spring rate to account for the weight) it wouldn't matter as the ride height would end up being the same.

I did a lot of research on exactly this same subject a few years ago. BMW uses different spring rates for Sedans, Coupes, Wagons, and Convertibles. A 325iT is lighter in the front than a 330i, and BMW even uses different spring rates for the differences in manual and automatic transmission weights.

The total weight and the distribution of that weight is quite different between your 325iT Wagon and a 330i ZHP Sedan. The most likely result of installing the 330 springs is that they will raise your car a little bit in the front and lower it significantly in the rear.

I am doing a minor suspension refresh and was wondering what bushings would make my Touring more ZHP like? Going with FSD shocks, and Turner sways. Also on my wish list are the ZHP steering rack. Anyone know where one can be procured?

The suspension bushings and steering rack are not different on the ZHP.

I thought the ZHP had quicker steering? I find the stock Touring steering a little slow and wish it was the same ratio as my E36 M3.

Originally Posted by UncleDon

I did a lot of research on exactly this same subject a few years ago. BMW uses different spring rates for Sedans, Coupes, Wagons, and Convertibles. A 325iT is lighter in the front than a 330i, and BMW even uses different spring rates for the differences in manual and automatic transmission weights.

The total weight and the distribution of that weight is quite different between your 325iT Wagon and a 330i ZHP Sedan. The most likely result of installing the 330 springs is that they will raise your car a little bit in the front and lower it significantly in the rear.

My touring came with the sport package. What if I leave the springs that I have on the car in place and install just the ZHP shock absorbers???

Originally Posted by Nicad

I thought the ZHP had quicker steering?

No different than the same year 330 without the ZHP package. I read on here somewhere that the steering rack P/N is the same.

Originally Posted by BMW4LIFE27

My touring came with the sport package. What if I leave the springs that I have on the car in place and install just the ZHP shock absorbers???

I tried Eibach Prokit springs on my Touring with my Sport Package shocks. The front looked good, but the rear was too low and the shocks seemed mismatched for the springs resulting in a slightly bouncy, nervous ride. The handling was better, but the slightly harsher, less refined ride was not worth it to me. I put the stock SP springs back on. It's very hard to beat BMW and all their factory resources when they engineer all the supension parts to match and work so well together.

Switching from 17" to 18" wheels and PS2 tires made a nice difference on my Touring. I think the 18" wheels and ZHP swaybars would make more of a difference than just changing to ZHP shocks, but I don't have any personal experience with my BMW to back that up.

Originally Posted by UncleDon

I tried Eibach Prokit springs on my Touring with my Sport Package shocks. The front looked good, but the rear was too low and the shocks seemed mismatched for the springs resulting in a slightly bouncy, nervous ride. The handling was better, but the slightly harsher, less refined ride was not worth it to me. I put the stock SP springs back on. It's very hard to beat BMW and all their factory resources when they engineer all the supension parts to match and work so well together.

Switching from 17" to 18" wheels and PS2 tires made a nice difference on my Touring. I think the 18" wheels and ZHP swaybars would make more of a difference than just changing to ZHP shocks, but I don't have any personal experience with my BMW to back that up.

I am 91K miles and need a refresh and don't want to go aftermarket. Not sure what to do now. Wish I had feedback from someone who has actually done this.

I also have a feeling BMW did a good job on the sport package springs for the wagon. I have owned many cars that ran Eibach or H&R springs, but non compare to the job my factory M3 springs do when I have my car loaded with 4 full sized adults. A wagon needs load engineering even more. This is where lowering springs really lose it IMHO. My rear Sport Package springs are new at 60K as they cracked last November and BMW replaced them.

Originally Posted by Dunbar

No different than the same year 330 without the ZHP package. I read on here somewhere that the steering rack P/N is the same.

Anyone know the difference in ratio between a 325 and 330? If there is a difference , is this a straight bolt in, without worrying about the stability control not liking the new part?

bump for some more info on touring with ZHP. I can't be the only one who is partaking in this adventure???

Here's photos of my wagon with ZHP coupe springs and Koni Yellows:





From a few weeks ago (snow still on the ground). Car is manual tranny since the total vehicle weight might make a difference.

I don't have anything to really compare the ride to as the wagon was non-sport before. But even with a full load in the back, no real noticeable sagging.

Does that help?

Originally Posted by wuzilla

Here's photos of my wagon with ZHP coupe springs and Koni Yellows:





From a few weeks ago (snow still on the ground). Car is manual tranny since the total vehicle weight might make a difference.

I don't have anything to really compare the ride to as the wagon was non-sport before. But even with a full load in the back, no real noticeable sagging.

Does that help?

Looks great! I was hoping you had the ZHP shock absorbers on there as well since I don't feel like going aftermarket since I will only track it maybe once or twice a year.