Suspension confusion.

[Choc]

I have just bought a 3.0 2001 manual Z3 MSport. And love it. I'm getting ready to convert it into the first Bertini Falco kitcar.
But I want to get the ride height and suspension setup sorted first.
I have spent a while searching through the forums looking for some answers and I'm a bit confused.

Some say OEM MSPORT shocks and cheap lowering springs
Some seem to slate poly bushes. And some love them
Some seem to mix and match poly and OEM bushes.
And a few seem to recommend gaz or koni coil overs.
Some say a 30/30 drop and some a 40/30.
Some coil over kits say you may need wheel spacers.

I'm a little confused.

I'm trying to achieve lower ride height and better handeling without killing my back. But handelling is definatly more important to me than comfort. I plan on fitting 18 or 19s to the Bertini Falco.

So here are a few questions I need help with....
My car has done 100k do I need to change the shocks?
What shocks should I use?
Are the cheap PI SUSPENSION kits on eBay any good?
Poly or OEM bushes? Or a combination?
Is there anything else I should replace at the same time? Wheel bearings? Etc?

If I go new suspension springs and dampers and poly bushes will the car be too hard?

Sorry for all the questions guys. But I want my Z3 running on rails

[Z3cade]

I had a 2.8 z3 with cheap 30mm lowering springs and new oem Sachs super touring shocks.. Was a vast improvement and it handled very well. Comfy ride with improved cornering. But not a track racer..

My M has Bilstein B8 shocks, intrax 30mm springs and H&R anti roll bars.. This set up is far more superior with flat bed cornering but also a comfy ride..

Coilovers will give you nothing but a broken back IMO..

[swamper]

bilstein b8 all round spring are a arguing point but H&rs are ok...replace the top mounts and drop links while your at it...up rate the ARBs with H&rs.....get a strut brace on............may as well get the bushes done with poly ....drop of 30mm all round....some of the other guys will be along with there ideas ...but should keep you going for a while

edit...Liam beat me to it...again

[Z3cade]

Got to be quicker than that mate

[swamper]

yep...i need a stage 3 .....

[Choc]

Thanks for the replays guys. Where is the best place to get the shocks?

What u recon about standard or poly bushes?

[c_w]

Get OEM Z3M bushes. I never touch "poly" bushes personally.

[Choc]

What the general thinking about a rear suspension but brace? I gather the front strut brace can really help.