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Upgrading the handling of your BMW M4 Competition can significantly enhance your driving experience, especially on the track or during spirited drives. Two popular modifications that can help achieve better handling are adjustable coilovers and upgraded bushings. This article will guide you through the benefits of these upgrades, the installation process, and tips for ensuring optimal performance.
Benefits of Upgrading to Adjustable Coilovers
Adjustable coilovers provide a range of benefits that can transform the handling characteristics of your M4 Competition.
- Improved Handling: Coilovers allow for precise adjustments to ride height and damping settings, which can enhance cornering stability and responsiveness.
- Customization: With adjustable coilovers, you can tailor the suspension setup to your driving style, whether on the street or the track.
- Lower Center of Gravity: Lowering your vehicle’s ride height can improve aerodynamics and reduce body roll during cornering.
- Increased Performance: Upgraded coilovers are designed for performance, providing better feedback and control in various driving conditions.
Choosing the Right Coilovers
When selecting adjustable coilovers for your M4 Competition, consider the following factors:
- Brand Reputation: Choose reputable brands known for quality and performance, such as KW, Bilstein, or Ohlins.
- Adjustability: Look for coilovers that offer a wide range of height and damping adjustments.
- Spring Rates: Consider the spring rates that best suit your driving style and typical use.
- Installation: Ensure that the coilovers come with installation instructions and required hardware.
Installation Process for Adjustable Coilovers
Installing adjustable coilovers on your M4 Competition can be a rewarding process. Follow these steps to ensure a successful installation:
- Gather Tools: You will need basic hand tools, a jack, jack stands, and possibly a spring compressor.
- Lift the Vehicle: Use the jack to lift the car and secure it with jack stands for safety.
- Remove the Wheels: Take off the wheels to access the suspension components.
- Disconnect Suspension Components: Unbolt the strut assembly, sway bar links, and any other components connected to the strut.
- Remove the Stock Struts: Carefully take out the stock struts from the vehicle.
- Install Coilovers: Position the new coilovers in place and secure them with the provided hardware.
- Reassemble Suspension: Reconnect all suspension components in the reverse order of removal.
- Adjust Ride Height: Set the desired ride height according to your preference.
- Reinstall Wheels: Put the wheels back on and lower the vehicle.
- Test Drive: Take the car for a test drive to ensure everything is functioning correctly.
Upgrading Bushings for Enhanced Performance
In addition to coilovers, upgrading the bushings in your M4 Competition can further improve handling and responsiveness.
- Reduced Flex: Upgraded bushings, such as polyurethane or solid bushings, reduce flex and improve steering precision.
- Better Feedback: Performance bushings provide better feedback from the road, enhancing the driving experience.
- Increased Durability: High-quality bushings are designed to withstand harsher conditions and last longer than stock options.
Installation of Upgraded Bushings
Replacing the bushings in your M4 Competition can be a bit more involved but is manageable with the right approach:
- Gather Necessary Tools: You will need a bushing removal tool, a jack, and various hand tools.
- Lift the Vehicle: Secure the vehicle on jack stands to access the suspension components.
- Remove Control Arms: Unbolt the control arms and any components connected to the bushings you plan to replace.
- Remove Old Bushings: Use a bushing removal tool to extract the old bushings from the control arms.
- Install New Bushings: Press in the new bushings, ensuring they are seated correctly.
- Reassemble Suspension: Reattach control arms and any other components removed during the process.
- Test Drive: After installation, take the car for a test drive to confirm the improvements in handling.
Final Thoughts
Upgrading your BMW M4 Competition with adjustable coilovers and upgraded bushings can significantly enhance its handling and performance. By carefully selecting quality components and following the installation process, you can enjoy a more responsive and enjoyable driving experience. Always remember to perform a test drive after any modifications to ensure everything is working as intended.