Discussion
Thought it better to re-post this here:-
Just bought an E36 M3 and the car runs beautifully but feels like it could do with some work on the handling/suspension side, can hear various knockings and the car dips harder at the front turning one way than the other.
Don't want to spend silly money but want to get it back up to scratch (make it handle like the M department intended). What are the usual suspects and where's best to get them from if your not an ebay person (never used it)?
Cheers for any advice.
p.s. Previous owner has done both front wishbones and a front shock this year - looking through the reciepts.
Just bought an E36 M3 and the car runs beautifully but feels like it could do with some work on the handling/suspension side, can hear various knockings and the car dips harder at the front turning one way than the other.
Don't want to spend silly money but want to get it back up to scratch (make it handle like the M department intended). What are the usual suspects and where's best to get them from if your not an ebay person (never used it)?
Cheers for any advice.
p.s. Previous owner has done both front wishbones and a front shock this year - looking through the reciepts.
I am in exactly the same position after buying one last weekend, nothing 'too' wrong and more with the back end to be honest. It seems to be a bit unstable when given some onions.
I would simply say take it to a specialist you trust not to tell you ''Ole fing'll 'av to be re-done mate' and tackle the worst problems first. Assuming you haven't got lots to throw at it immediately
You dont mention mileage but most M3 which haven't been re-bushed all round are probably in need of it by now somewhere or other, the degradation happens progressively so you don't notice it day to day but when it's sorted trust me you will do.
I'd start my investigation with the 'other' front shock, whichever of them that is !!
HTH - Nick.
I would simply say take it to a specialist you trust not to tell you ''Ole fing'll 'av to be re-done mate' and tackle the worst problems first. Assuming you haven't got lots to throw at it immediately
You dont mention mileage but most M3 which haven't been re-bushed all round are probably in need of it by now somewhere or other, the degradation happens progressively so you don't notice it day to day but when it's sorted trust me you will do.
I'd start my investigation with the 'other' front shock, whichever of them that is !!
HTH - Nick.
Just to add - C3 BMW are a reputable and reliable online supplier of most of the items you'll be needing...
Fair prices and avoids eBay as you have expressed a wish to do!
Also, the knocking sounds are likely to be caused by either a front or rear shock-mount, they should be done asap and they can become 'complicated' if allowed to get too mullered.
Fair prices and avoids eBay as you have expressed a wish to do!
Also, the knocking sounds are likely to be caused by either a front or rear shock-mount, they should be done asap and they can become 'complicated' if allowed to get too mullered.
NicoG said:
Just to add - C3 BMW are a reputable and reliable online supplier of most of the items you'll be needing...
Fair prices and avoids eBay as you have expressed a wish to do!
Also, the knocking sounds are likely to be caused by either a front or rear shock-mount, they should be done asap and they can become 'complicated' if allowed to get too mullered.
I'll second that, know the guys who run it fairly well and they are very decent chapsFair prices and avoids eBay as you have expressed a wish to do!
Also, the knocking sounds are likely to be caused by either a front or rear shock-mount, they should be done asap and they can become 'complicated' if allowed to get too mullered.
Strange handling at the rear end is usually rear trailing arm bushes. It starts to get a bit vague when under full throttle in say the upper reaches of 3rd gear when you've got just a touch of steering lock on.
As for the front end. My old E36 M3 used to clunk quite a bit at the front and it turned out to be the ARB drop-links. It wasn't dipping one one saide more than the other like yours is though. The ARB drop-links are relatively cheap and easy to replace though.
As for the front end. My old E36 M3 used to clunk quite a bit at the front and it turned out to be the ARB drop-links. It wasn't dipping one one saide more than the other like yours is though. The ARB drop-links are relatively cheap and easy to replace though.
Really pleased to discover having just had it on ramps down at my local that generally its in really good nick under there. It has some play in one end of the steering where it connects to the rack and the rear shocks are a bit weak and have some play in them but given a couple of hundred and the car will be as good as new
everything else is very firm and solid. Top result really.
Cheers very much for all the responses so quickly
everything else is very firm and solid. Top result really.Cheers very much for all the responses so quickly
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