Full Alpina wheel and suspension conversion for a Z8

[Norcal]

You are right on. I've had many suspensions on my car:

Stock
Stock + Tires (non RFT)
AC Schnitzer + Diana bars + Dinan Plates: Low and stiff, car skipped around too much on rough roads and very bouncy ride. Nice on track
US Alpina + dinan bars (still stock wheels) Didn't really notice a difference vs stock (but came right from the ACS..so?)
Euro Alpina + dinan bars (full stiff both ends) + Dinan Plates+ 20" HRE wheels + more negative camber(-2 in rear). WOW! Just by changing the wheels and front springs. The steering is both smoother and less "loose". Bumps I know well, no longer upset the car. Overall the ride is much more refined and pleasurable, yet more grippy (?) Have yet to find a road (or track) to really tell what it's doing, but it feels great. The front springs are the Stuff!

[macfly]

Happy you all like it, I think it is a stellar upgrade, and yes, full stiff both end is the way Craig Stanton liked it best based on the results of our day long suspension set up and comparision done at Button Willow a couple of years back. Craig is a real GT Championship winner, and he really can drive circles round all of us, so if it's the way he says is right for the car then thats good enough for me!

This from April 27th, 2007

Alpina suspension & Dinan swaybars set up.
After spending a day at Buttonwillow with Craig Stanton trying different swaybar settings on my Alpina suspended car we ended up using the stiffest swaybar settings all round because it allowed for flatter more stable transitions, and an overall more planted feel from the very compliant ride of the Alpina suspension.

It is worth noting that we started the day out on the mid-point settings which felt very stable and comfortable on both the 58 and the Angeles Crest Highways, two of most enjoyable twisty roads in SoCal, but these settings allowed for far too much body roll and 'porpoising' on the tighter transitions at the track. Being able to sit next to Craig doing a sets of hot laps after each alteration was a real eye opener. With each increase in the stiffness the car became more and more precise, predicatble, and faster around the track. Even from the passenger seat the changes were really noticable, and the areas where the car was initially unsettled and unsettling at the beginning of the day were no longer there at the day's end.

Craig felt that Ron's stock Z8 handled better than my (Alpina suspenison + Dinan Swaybar) car until we arrived at the final stiffest swaybar settings at all four corners, at which point he said he preferred the feel of my car. It is still just a bit too soft for the track, but the stiffest settings allowed it to remain pretty flat and very stable and predictable. However if one was going to use the car like Dieter I'd certainly step up to a full K&W or better still Cartridge kit.

I am delighted with the results of our testing and tuning at the track, but being on track isn't my Z8's mission, infact the hundred miles it did yesterday will be it's one and only track day. The Z8 will never beat a Porsche GT3 or a Lotus at the track, in my stable it is a classic touring fast country drive car for doing events like Meet in the Middle, and if that is what you want it for then this suspension set up is simply fantastic. Compared to both the stock Z8 and my SL500 my Z8 is now a more sure footed and far more comfortable Grand Tourer, so the kit as sold by Dana at Peter Pan gets a resounding two thumbs up!

[Z8Mania]

Since the car is still at the shop Ill have them make the changes and we can experiment and see what we thinks. I have a very cool upgrade going that I will share with you all. But I just had to find some time to give it a try as I was so curious to experience it. This is the magic of Alpina. Try driving a 7er and then the Alpina 7er and you will get a more comfortable ride and better handling. I think what the stock cars in each case give you is perhaps the initial sensation of more sportiness but its too tied down and that means the tires can't make the best contact with the road...

[Z8Mania]

They had the car on the lift and moved the sway bars to as stiff as possible and.... Low speed ride suffers a bit- those small bumps hit maybe 40% harder now/ but/ high speed/ high way sweeper handling is much more neutral. So now it still rides better than stock and also had that high speed stability we've wanted. Highly recommended. Loving it!

[Lupin]

fantastic wheels, very good looking.
what are the sizes? 245- 285?

[Z8Mania]

I believe you are close!

255/35-20 front
285/30-20 rear

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/SelectTireSize.jsp?autoMake=BMW&autoModel=Z8+Alpina+Roadster+V8&autoYear=2003&autoModClar=

[Sean]

Current thinking

Andrew, all

I'm thinking of adding the European alpine suspension to my US spec car. Only modifications to suspension so far are 19 inch hamann rims (with mps2s). I don't have access to new sway bars yet. I drive exclusively on the roads here in dubai. Would you still reccommend the euro alpine suspension to improve ride/performance? Or do I have to add the sway bars at the same time?

Cheers

Sean

[macfly]

You can add the H&R swaybars, they are readily available and will certainly be an improvement on the stock. The Alpina suspension really is a wow transformation.

[2112]

Norcal,

Did I read your post correctly? You have stock springs in the rear with the Alpina up front? What about the struts?
.

[Z8Mania]

You will definitely want to change the sway bars- I tried the stock calibration (the Dinan are adjustable) and it is just too much roll. But get this right and Andrew is correct- its wow because you will have both more comfort, AND better handling! (you can get another 5-8% improvement in crispness in turn in with the Dinan camber/caster plates).

[Norcal]

Norcal,

Did I read your post correctly? You have stock springs in the rear with the Alpina up front? What about the struts?
.

No, I have the full euro alpina suspension, plus dinan caber/caster plates and dinan sway bars.

[Sean]

Has anyone got a contact email address for someone at H&R? There isnt one on their webiste and I need to check delivery to Dubai

Cheers

[macfly]

This page has US distributors info, I don't about Dubai though. http://www.hrsprings.com/about/

[Z8DinanS2]

Wondering if there is a simple parts list to ensure all the BMW Alpina parts are European Alpina and not a mish mash of American spec Alpina and European Alpina parts.

Hoping to get the Euro Alpina front struts and front springs and Euro Alpina rear struts and rear springs. Might anyone have those part numbers handy?

From what I see so far, and please correct me if I have this wrong:

The Euro Alpina front spring is 31 33 619


The Euro Alpina rear spring is Alpina part number 33 53 628

[MauiMike]

Alpine suspension sheet

This sheet came with the Alpina suspension. My German is non-existent but I think you have the spring part numbers.

[DeadMansCurve]

I have the Alpina front & rear struts and Alpina rear springs on order. I'm striking out on the Euro spec front Alpina springs. Spoke with KSK Distributing today (apparently the exclusive US Alpina parts distributor) and they indicated they can not source the springs. Alpina is only selling them as replacements for original Euro-spec Alpina's - need to provide VIN to order. Assuming I truly can't obtain the front springs, I see a couple of options -

1. Install Alpina struts front & rear and H&R springs at all four corners, plus H&R front/rear sway bars and Dinan camber plates. Run 20" M101s with Michelins
2. Install Alpina struts front & rear, Alpina rear springs and stick with factory front springs, H&R front/rear sway bars, no camber plates (don't want front sitting too high). Run 20" M101s with Michelins
3. Install Alpina struts front & rear, Alpina rear springs and H&R front springs, H&R front/rear sway bars and Dinan camber plates. Run 20" M101s with Michelins.

I have the H&R springs on order and will try to have the front H&R's compression compared to the factory springs.

Would love input.

[2112]

Another possibility;

KW Suspensions

[Norcal]

At one point, I had ac schnitzer on mine…. Low and mean, but aggressive, and not kind on the shock towers. I switched to full euro alpina.

[macfly]

While we're on the subject, I have an H&R rear swaybar here if anyone wants it, its just sitting in the garage gathering dust!

[Midcont]

I have the Alpina front & rear struts and Alpina rear springs on order. I'm striking out on the Euro spec front Alpina springs. Spoke with KSK Distributing today (apparently the exclusive US Alpina parts distributor) and they indicated they can not source the springs. Alpina is only selling them as replacements for original Euro-spec Alpina's - need to provide VIN to order. Assuming I truly can't obtain the front springs, I see a couple of options -

1. Install Alpina struts front & rear and H&R springs at all four corners, plus H&R front/rear sway bars and Dinan camber plates. Run 20" M101s with Michelins
2. Install Alpina struts front & rear, Alpina rear springs and stick with factory front springs, H&R front/rear sway bars, no camber plates (don't want front sitting too high). Run 20" M101s with Michelins
3. Install Alpina struts front & rear, Alpina rear springs and H&R front springs, H&R front/rear sway bars and Dinan camber plates. Run 20" M101s with Michelins.

I have the H&R springs on order and will try to have the front H&R's compression compared to the factory springs.

Would love input.

Any update from your install?
Doing some research to replace the springs in an original owner non Alpina. Called KSK but they won't sell any of the Alpina parts without a VIN at this point. Looking for a solution better than stock and reading the couple suspension threads on this site, it seems this is still the preferred solution. Is there a non Alpina equivalent then (the other options seemed inferior for various reasons)?
Asked about the the 20" wheel sets also and told those are exclusive to the VIN as well.

[Norcal]

Order via a friend with a vin!

[JackRabbit]

Alpina parts workaround.

I posted this in another thread but it addresses this question. The guys below will do the conversion but will not sell you the parts which they get directly.

KSK Distributing, the only US authorized Alpina dealer won't sell them however, connected dealers have ways around that.
Speak with Mike Kent at Enthusiast Auto Group in Ohio or see the 'I have returned to BMW' thread in Z8 Chat Room for Dana Caldwell's contact info.
It is expensive but worth it if that is what you want.

Any update from your install?
Doing some research to replace the springs in an original owner non Alpina. Called KSK but they won't sell any of the Alpina parts without a VIN at this point. Looking for a solution better than stock and reading the couple suspension threads on this site, it seems this is still the preferred solution. Is there a non Alpina equivalent then (the other options seemed inferior for various reasons)?
Asked about the the 20" wheel sets also and told those are exclusive to the VIN as well.

[Midcont]

If the Euro front Alpina springs are not attainable in the US, is the H&R front the equivalent to it? If so, does anybody have the H&R part number?

If not using H&R, are we ok to use the existing stock front spring on replacement Alpina front struts (Part numbers 31-31-8-022-558 and 31-31-8-022-559 for left and right side)? Does that result in any ride height issues? Should the spring be replaced regardless?

Separate question, on the parts websites I looked at for the suspension (getbmwparts.com) I find Auxiliary Shock Absorber-Rear (part number 33-53-1-096-100). I also find Front Bump Stops (part number 31-33-1-096-099). I'll need to replace these during the overhaul as well? Are these correct? I emailed Dana, have not heard back.

Thanks

[2112]

Sorry, I can’t say for sure as I no longer have the paperwork, but if the H&R springs are the same as they were 20 years ago, they are a lowering spring with the spring rate of the OEM Z8 Springs.

The different part #’s are front/rear as the drop is 1.5” in Front and 1” in back.

I have upsized wheels and tires with zero fitment issues.