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Description

BMW E46 3 Series Sedan/Coupe/Touring/Compact (98-06) BC Racing ZX coilover kit 5.5/8 kg/mm

The BC Racing ZX coilover kit E46 (part number I-02-ZX) is a coilover kit adjustable in height and damping, also simply called a coilover, for the BMW 3 Series E46 Sedan, Coupe, Touring and Compact with rear-wheel drive, model years 1998 to 2006. The spring rate is 5.5 kg/mm front and 8 kg/mm rear.

It is the 3-way adjustable kit from BC Racing, made for competitive track work, long sessions and demanding drift days, and it combines the basis of the DS series with the external reservoir of the ER series.

Each damper is an upright monotube with a twin piston and an external reservoir. You set the low-speed compression in 20 clicks, the high-speed compression in 12 clicks and the rebound in 30 clicks. That way you decide separately how the E46 responds to weight transfer, to kerbs and bumps, and on the rebound stroke.

The spring rate is 5.5/8 kg/mm. The dampers are filled with racing oil with an ultra-high viscosity index, so the feel at the end of a long session is the same as at the start.

Key benefits

• 3-way adjustable: low-speed compression (20), high-speed compression (12) and rebound (30) independently of each other.
• External reservoir: extra oil volume for consistent damping during long sessions.
• Twin piston: monotube with twin piston and external reservoir, as on the ER series.
• Digressive characteristic: firm control over the body, compliant during fast wheel movements.
• Racing oil with ultra-high VI: stable damping, even when things get hot.
• Replaceable upper mount: easy to renew when worn.
• Camber plates: rubber top mounts are available as an option.
• Spring rate 5.5/8 kg/mm: the base on which you tune the three adjusters.
• Rebuildable: built to be rebuilt season after season.

Suitable for

BMW 3 Series E46 Sedan, Coupe, Touring and Compact, model years 1998 to 2006, with rear-wheel drive (not for the M3 and the Convertible)

• Competitive track work and long sessions
• Demanding drift use
• Drivers who want to tune low-speed and high-speed compression separately

Technical specifications

• Manufacturer: BC Racing
• Part number: I-02-ZX
• Series: ZX, 3-way with external reservoir
• Spring rate front/rear: 5.5/8 kg/mm
• Damper design: upright monotube with twin piston and external reservoir, digressive
• Damping: 3-way, 20 clicks low-speed compression, 12 clicks high-speed compression, 30 clicks rebound
• Ride height: infinitely adjustable via the damper body
• Top mounts: replaceable upper mount, camber plates, rubber top mounts optional
• Contents: dampers and springs front and rear, lower mounts, top mounts where applicable, adjustment spanners and warranty card with serial number
• Warranty: 1 year on manufacturing defects. Noise from track-focused series is not covered by the warranty

Fitting and delivery

The kit replaces the original dampers and springs front and rear. When fitting, also plan where the reservoirs and lines go, so that nothing can chafe or get trapped during suspension compression and steering. After setting the ride height, have a wheel alignment carried out on the E46. The delivery time is 1 to 2 weeks as long as the manufacturer has stock. If the kit is not in stock, you can still order and we will keep you informed.

With separate knobs for low and high compression speeds, you tune an E46 to the kerbs of your circuit without giving up the balance in the corners.

Why choose this ZX coilover kit E46?

Because at some point you want more than one knob per damper. With three adjusters you solve problems in a targeted way: if the car rolls too much, you work on the low speed; if it bounces over the kerbs, on the high speed. For an E46 that is used seriously, that is the level of tuning you grow into.

BC Racing coilover kits for the BMW E46 Sedan, Coupe, Touring and Compact

Overview of the BC Racing series for the BMW E46 Sedan, Coupe, Touring and Compact supplied by Race4DriftParts, with the BC Racing part number. Spring rates in kg/mm, front/rear.

For a True Rear build of the BMW E46 Sedan, Coupe and Touring, BC Racing has separate kits. Their part numbers start with I-31. For the E46 Convertible, BC Racing has its own kit under part number I-90.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the BC Racing ZX and ER for the E46?

The ZX is 3-way adjustable, the ER 2-way (compression and rebound, each in 30 clicks). The ZX coilover kit E46 splits the compression into low speed (20 clicks) and high speed (12 clicks), alongside 30 clicks of rebound, and uses racing oil with an ultra-high viscosity index.

Isn’t the 3-way BC Racing ZX coilover kit for the E46 too complicated?

No, not if you work step by step. Start with all adjusters in the middle of their range and change only one setting at a time. Write down what you changed and what you felt. That way you quickly find a base setting that suits your driving style.

Where do the reservoirs of the BC Racing ZX coilover kit go in the E46?

Where the reservoirs go depends on the space in the wheel arches and how the car is used. Position them so that the lines are not under tension and do not touch anything during suspension compression or at full steering lock.

Does this BC Racing ZX coilover kit fit an E46 Touring or Convertible?

Yes for the Touring, and also for the Compact. No for the Convertible: for that, BC Racing has its own kit under part number I-90. This I-02 kit is released for all rear-wheel drive E46 versions except the M3 and the Convertible.

What is the delivery time of this BC Racing ZX coilover kit?

The delivery time is 1 to 2 weeks as long as the manufacturer has stock. If there is no stock, you can still order and we will let you know when the kit arrives.

Delivery outside the European Union: different shipping costs may apply. Don’t worry: we will email you as soon as possible after your order and agree the shipping with you. You are not committed to anything without your consent.