[HermanL]

Hi guys, so i drove my buddy's m3 and my 335i back to back on some twisty roads the other day, I have stock SZP suspension btw, I have to say I am very disappointed about the suspension setup on my 335. the m3 feels so much tighter/more planted and much less body roll on twisty. Now I feel like a suspension upgrade so badly. So I am wondering how much improvement I should expect to see with a decent set of coilover/shocks+spring combo? and how well it will match a e46 m3 on corners? I am also thinking about m3 suspension bits upgrade however my budget will not allow me to do a coilover and m3 bits at the same time, which mod should i go with first? thanks for any input.

[issabmw]

you will find tighter and more accurate response with the M3 bits. That will tighten up the connection between you and the car.

The coilovers will give you a firmer stance with less bodyroll. I'd say for a more noticeable effect, do the coilovers first, since one of your complaints was the body roll/planted feel. Then worry about sharpening the tool.

[tibra1]

Originally Posted by issabmw

you will find tighter and more accurate response with the M3 bits. That will tighten up the connection between you and the car.

The coilovers will give you a firmer stance with less bodyroll. I'd say for a more noticeable effect, do the coilovers first, since one of your complaints was the body roll/planted feel. Then worry about sharpening the tool.

^This..plus LSD..you will be good

[tunachris]

I did coilovers first and the body roll went away. Put in KW series 1's and was very happy with the improvement. I have since put a Quaife LSD on the car, and in the month and a half since, I have not had the E-diff light come on once.

I was going to beef up the roll bars, but a lot of research revealed without the LSD, I might have issues with rear axle hop coming out of corners. Since doing the LSD I am not sure if I really need to do any more suspension mods. The labor to install a thicker rear sway bar is pretty high, and I don't know how much of an improvement it will be?

[tibra1]

Since you have an LSD you should also consider the M3 rear subframe bushings..that will help alot..you will need to drop the subframe..which is alot of labor..but the pro is you can easily swap out the rear sway and arms for the m3s..

It all depends on how much you r willing to spend..

[HermanL]

thanks for the reply guys, i am now looking at either kw v1 or v2, and maybe just koni yellow/FSD+spring, I really don't think I need to adjust my ride height

[issabmw]

Originally Posted by tibra1

^This..plus LSD..you will be good

Ah yes, almost forgot the most important part.

A necessity for power distribution resulting in even handling.

[cvc 22349a]

Originally Posted by HermanL

thanks for the reply guys, i am now looking at either kw v1 or v2, and maybe just koni yellow/FSD+spring, I really don't think I need to adjust my ride height

That and M3 front control arms and rear subframe bushings, an LSD and wider, grippier tires and it still won't handle like an E46 M3. It all adds up to alot of $$$!

Adding: I did the LSD first, then Koni dampers and wider non-rft tires and so on. To answer your last question: I'd do the M3 front control arms and tires first.

[turugara]

You'll probably have to drop a bit of weight in addition to the above mods. The e46 Is 3400 lbs while the e92 is 3600.

[z28bryan]

Originally Posted by tibra1

^This..plus LSD..you will be good

If he's just driving on twisty roads, I don't think he'd notice the LSD much. If he was on a track or autox, then I'd recommend it.

[tibra1]

Originally Posted by z28bryan

If he's just driving on twisty roads, I don't think he'd notice the LSD much. If he was on a track or autox, then I'd recommend it.

DEF dont agree..LSD will shine in corners but another great advantage of the LSD is it puts the power down evenly on straights..you would be surprised how much power u lose on a straight w/o an LSD.. I have gotten on it in a straight only to have my cars ass flex around from side to side..all b/c of the open diff

[cvc 22349a]

Originally Posted by turugara

You'll probably have to drop a bit of weight in addition to the above mods. The e46 Is 3400 lbs while the e92 is 3600.

200 lbs isn't a big difference. The biggest difference is the soft, excessive rubber in the suspension to soften the ride for the rft's and then the softer spring and damper rates.

[turugara]

That's true. If he were to upgrade those bits and then dropped 200lbs on top of that, it would probably get much closer to the e46.

Originally Posted by cvc 22349a

200 lbs isn't a big difference. The biggest difference is the soft, excessive rubber in the suspension to soften the ride for the rft's and then the softer spring and damper rates.

I can second the LSD. Having the LSD is a night and day difference in corners and makes a huge difference in a straight line, especially when its wet out. I still feel torque steer though because of the soft subframe bushings. Can't wait to get those swapped out.

[tibra1]

Originally Posted by Motion

Besides the coil overs(don't go cheap now) you should also consider M3 control arms front and rear. I like TCK Coilovers, but others here may have different experiences.

Why don't you give Harold @ HP Autowerks a call, he is the one that pioneered the M3 conversion kits and should be able to tell you all about it and give you recommendations on how you should approach your mods.

+1 Swift springs and AST, KWs or Konis..they key is the Swift springs..

Harold was really one of the main pioneers of this including the M3 bits..I have worked w him on all my suspension mods/

[cvc 22349a]

Originally Posted by turugara

That's true. If he were to upgrade those bits and then dropped 200lbs on top of that, it would probably get much closer to the e46.




I can second the LSD. Having the LSD is a night and day difference in corners and makes a huge difference in a straight line, especially when its wet out. I still feel torque steer though because of the soft subframe bushings. Can't wait to get those swapped out.

The M3 subrame bushings are a must if you've increased grip w/non-rft's and torque; however, the car still torque steers, albeit less so, when passing quick and hard. I'm going too add the VM rear toe links next time I'm due for an alignment. You might want to check those out if you can afford it.

[turugara]

I know that these make the alignment much easier. What exactly do they do for the suspension geometry apart from an alignment perspective? From what I recall they were about ~$250, nothing outrageous.

Originally Posted by cvc 22349a

The M3 subrame bushings are a must if you've increased grip w/non-rft's and torque; however, the car still torque steers, albeit less so, when passing quick and hard. I'm going too add the VM rear toe links next time I'm due for an alignment. You might want to check those out if you can afford it.

[cvc 22349a]

Originally Posted by turugara

I know that these make the alignment much easier. What exactly do they do for the suspension geometry apart from an alignment perspective? From what I recall they were about ~$250, nothing outrageous.

They don't change the geomety; they keep the alignment from changing so much during hard cornering and acceleration. I just got an alignment, otherwise I get these. VM are more than $250; others are cheaper..

[tibra1]

Originally Posted by cvc 22349a

The M3 subrame bushings are a must if you've increased grip w/non-rft's and torque; however, the car still torque steers, albeit less so, when passing quick and hard. I'm going too add the VM rear toe links next time I'm due for an alignment. You might want to check those out if you can afford it.

The VM rear toe links have been sold out for the last 7 months and I am confident they are not coming back into stock..the VM guys have pretty much ignored my emails for the last month..

Go with the Megan Racing one instead..I dont know if the bearing is as good as the VM..but its the only choice in town right now..Good thread here w Orb recommending them..

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...9#post10176599

[z28bryan]

Originally Posted by tibra1

DEF dont agree..LSD will shine in corners but another great advantage of the LSD is it puts the power down evenly on straights..you would be surprised how much power u lose on a straight w/o an LSD.. I have gotten on it in a straight only to have my cars ass flex around from side to side..all b/c of the open diff

I agree about it helping on a launch.

Not sure I understand what you mean about being on a straight. Are you saying you think it helps put down more RWHP?

To my understanding, the LSD helps distribute power differently to wheels that have more grip. This would happen when someone is REALLY at their driving limits. I think 97% of the people who say they drive at the limit on twisty roads, really aren't driving at the limit.

[HermanL]

damn looks like i still have a long way to go, thanks for helpful info. decided to go with coils first see how i like it

[tibra1]

Originally Posted by z28bryan

I agree about it helping on a launch.

Not sure I understand what you mean about being on a straight. Are you saying you think it helps put down more RWHP?

To my understanding, the LSD helps distribute power differently to wheels that have more grip. This would happen when someone is REALLY at their driving limits. I think 97% of the people who say they drive at the limit on twisty roads, really aren't driving at the limit.

Ofcourse..when ever the back flexs and turns (and it happens in a straight line also)..power is transferred from one wheel to the other.. that transfer causes power to be lost thru the drive train..the LSD puts both wheels to work so that power is transferred to BOTH wheels equally and efficently

It doesnt have to be at the limits but it doesnt have to be at the minimum either.

[tibra1]

Originally Posted by Motion

I have TCK Koni Doubles at first with TCK/Vogtland springs, which was very good and handles awesome . Then I switched to Swift and add the thrust sheets with suggestions and a lengthy conversation with Harold. Holy cow! I didn't know springs could make that much of a difference. What I notice the most is the ride is more compliant even with the same exact rates and the clang sound I sometimes get with these coil overs are all gone with the Swift setup!

LOL..I know right I seriously think we just keep it to ourselves how good these freakin springs r w/ the thrust sheets... i took a couple of rides in similar HPA setups and called him the same day to order..gonna be doing AST 4200s w Swifts cant wait to get it all done.