BMW e36 suspension mod suggestions
Discussion
Hello gents (and ladies)
I'm here in the UK for about three years. I've bought an E36 compact for getting back and forth to work and it's fine....except it's a bit sloppy innit? I'm a firm believer that 100 hp is enough for anybody so long as you can keep your foot planted *all the time*.
So, in order to maintain momentum...I need a suspension mod. I don't want to spend a lot of money. I'm only here for a few yers remember. I just need to stiffen things up so I can steer properly with the throttle. I'm very experienced with air cooled Porsche mods, but this is my first BMW so not really not up to speed about this whole coil spring/strut/shock thing.
What are my options and perhaps as importantly are there any recommendations for installation in North Wales?
Thanks!
jasper
I'm here in the UK for about three years. I've bought an E36 compact for getting back and forth to work and it's fine....except it's a bit sloppy innit? I'm a firm believer that 100 hp is enough for anybody so long as you can keep your foot planted *all the time*.
So, in order to maintain momentum...I need a suspension mod. I don't want to spend a lot of money. I'm only here for a few yers remember. I just need to stiffen things up so I can steer properly with the throttle. I'm very experienced with air cooled Porsche mods, but this is my first BMW so not really not up to speed about this whole coil spring/strut/shock thing.
What are my options and perhaps as importantly are there any recommendations for installation in North Wales?
Thanks!
jasper
I know what you're saying about the bigger motor..been there and done that and I agree there's no replacement for displacement. My six cylinders have been at the other end of the car for the last 12 years....and they've been flatter if you know what I mean.
BUT! Somewhere deep inside me I have a thing for 4 cylinders. In Canada you can not buy a rear wheel drive four cylinder car. BMW stopped importing four cylinders early into the E36 series, and even then they were pretty rare and usually automatics. Now that I'm in Europe I figured this is my opportunity to really scratch that itch.
I look at it as a challenge. Anyone can go fast with a big motor. One of the cars I enjoyed most in the last several years was a 1984 MarkI VW Jetta. I used it as my winter beater/daily driver but fitted it a set of relatively cheap "performance" struts and built a duct tape style cold air intake. It only had 76 hp but I got into more trouble with that car than in any of my big cars.
Anyway - bit of a rant. I agree I don't want to spend a lot on suspension mods, but I have my reasons for going it in the littlest bimmer.
BUT! Somewhere deep inside me I have a thing for 4 cylinders. In Canada you can not buy a rear wheel drive four cylinder car. BMW stopped importing four cylinders early into the E36 series, and even then they were pretty rare and usually automatics. Now that I'm in Europe I figured this is my opportunity to really scratch that itch.
I look at it as a challenge. Anyone can go fast with a big motor. One of the cars I enjoyed most in the last several years was a 1984 MarkI VW Jetta. I used it as my winter beater/daily driver but fitted it a set of relatively cheap "performance" struts and built a duct tape style cold air intake. It only had 76 hp but I got into more trouble with that car than in any of my big cars.
Anyway - bit of a rant. I agree I don't want to spend a lot on suspension mods, but I have my reasons for going it in the littlest bimmer.
Well, hang on..
Decent coilover kit - OK not in my budget because I do agree with what you are saying, and I'm only here for another 2 years.
Eccentric front wishbone bushes - those don't sound expensive...I assume this will help me even if I go with Eibachs and Konis?
Increased camber top mounts (inverted E36 M3 Evo mounts will do, cheaper than adjustables). - EBAY or PH or ? I don't need new stuff.
Anti-roll bar kit - was going to do this anyway.
Z3 steering rack - I assume quicker ratios? This sound like something I could get from a wreck.
Probably poly bushed all round - I was going to do this anyway.
More aggressive alignment settings - I'll need an alignment anyway after replacing spring won't I?
All in all - I am kind of budgeting about $1000/£500. I paid £1900 for the car...76K miles lady driven. Clutch/brakes, gearbox all feel pretty good to me. It's just the wallowing ride that's bugging me.
I'm on 205/65-15's as well. I'll need to sort that out. hhmm.
Decent coilover kit - OK not in my budget because I do agree with what you are saying, and I'm only here for another 2 years.
Eccentric front wishbone bushes - those don't sound expensive...I assume this will help me even if I go with Eibachs and Konis?
Increased camber top mounts (inverted E36 M3 Evo mounts will do, cheaper than adjustables). - EBAY or PH or ? I don't need new stuff.
Anti-roll bar kit - was going to do this anyway.
Z3 steering rack - I assume quicker ratios? This sound like something I could get from a wreck.
Probably poly bushed all round - I was going to do this anyway.
More aggressive alignment settings - I'll need an alignment anyway after replacing spring won't I?
All in all - I am kind of budgeting about $1000/£500. I paid £1900 for the car...76K miles lady driven. Clutch/brakes, gearbox all feel pretty good to me. It's just the wallowing ride that's bugging me.
I'm on 205/65-15's as well. I'll need to sort that out. hhmm.
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