Overhauling E36 suspension, what do you recommend?
Discussion
After 11 years and 75k I think my E36 could do with a bit tightening up! I dont really want to go down the coilover route, but would like to tighten the feel up a bit and if possible also improve the ride (moon on a stick I know). I've also never changed the rear top mounts so they are almost certainly do for, are there any stronger versions out there than OEM?
At that mileage, you may want to investigate some new dampers. You will most certainly need front lower arm rear bushes and probably rear trailing arm bushes. Both available in polyurethane from Powerflex on eBay. Fit "M" spec front bushes to improve steering from Powerflex. Check rear springs for breakages, very common and new stock rear top mounts would be fine with the top rear reinforcing plates also available through eBay.
Just bought an E36 M3 and about to do the same as the car runs beautifully but feels like it could do with some work in this area, 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.
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.
You know.. really I should hate BMW's a hate the way they look, the image they portray and the fact that they are called sports cars when really they are just fast sallons. You sit too high, they dont have enough weight or ballance over the back end and from the 90's onwards they're not that well built.
..But. EVERY time I get in an M or drive an M I just love it. I love the telepathically instant throttle response, the psychopatically agressive engine note (3.0 is my favourite by a long way! 3.2 is lovely but sounds a bit too digital and not raw/mechanical, 3.8 sounds amazing but just that bit weighty in its revs not as crisp or harsh). Engine wise you can't match that level of naturally aspirated tune and quality for anything under £30k or £60k new.
The handling is so flat and firm (when its right) it exceeds your expectation of what the car should be capable of.. and now for the price you just cant find anything better as a drivers car. Plus the engines are bullet proof in a way almost no other engine can match! At any level.
I love them both dearly but unfortunately I'm going to have to end this along the lines in which it started and say that the 944 (turbo) wins my vote hands down every time. The gearchange, the low slung seat with big central arm rest over the prop shaft, the view out of the wing mirror and the feeling of acceleration (even though there's almost nothing between them standard). The 944 makes every drive feel that bit more special.
Plus when you start getting tempted the tuning potential goes so much further, so much easier that the M3 could never keep up. Even if you turbo an M3 which is expensive (and amazing) its about more than just the power and the 944 has the ballance and the handling to put it down better. Put a 350-400hp 944 on KW varient 3's with a few handling parts nicked from the 968 and some more aggressive pads on the standard M030 option brakes and you've got a car that you couldn't catch round a track in almost anything. I truly beleive that. A fast M3 will always be just a really good laugh. Less a serious racer.
..But. EVERY time I get in an M or drive an M I just love it. I love the telepathically instant throttle response, the psychopatically agressive engine note (3.0 is my favourite by a long way! 3.2 is lovely but sounds a bit too digital and not raw/mechanical, 3.8 sounds amazing but just that bit weighty in its revs not as crisp or harsh). Engine wise you can't match that level of naturally aspirated tune and quality for anything under £30k or £60k new.
The handling is so flat and firm (when its right) it exceeds your expectation of what the car should be capable of.. and now for the price you just cant find anything better as a drivers car. Plus the engines are bullet proof in a way almost no other engine can match! At any level.
I love them both dearly but unfortunately I'm going to have to end this along the lines in which it started and say that the 944 (turbo) wins my vote hands down every time. The gearchange, the low slung seat with big central arm rest over the prop shaft, the view out of the wing mirror and the feeling of acceleration (even though there's almost nothing between them standard). The 944 makes every drive feel that bit more special.
Plus when you start getting tempted the tuning potential goes so much further, so much easier that the M3 could never keep up. Even if you turbo an M3 which is expensive (and amazing) its about more than just the power and the 944 has the ballance and the handling to put it down better. Put a 350-400hp 944 on KW varient 3's with a few handling parts nicked from the 968 and some more aggressive pads on the standard M030 option brakes and you've got a car that you couldn't catch round a track in almost anything. I truly beleive that. A fast M3 will always be just a really good laugh. Less a serious racer.
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