Major differences between M3 suspension with non-M

[fabianyee]

What's the major differences between the M3 and the non-M E30???

Pardon my ignorance cos E30 M3 is rare in this part of the world.
Curious really curious to know what set the M and non-M apart in terms of suspension set up.

[nando]

5 lugs
sway bar pick up points
spring rates
brakes
geometry

[fabianyee]

5 lugs
sway bar pick up points
spring rates
brakes
geometry

5 lugs - doesn't contribute much to the suspension difference, or does it?
sway bar pick up points - this I noticed, but does this really make that much of a difference?
spring rates - this would make a difference for all E30
geometry - I think this can make a big difference. But only the front or bother front and rear. I know the M3 front has offset lower control arm bush.. What about the lower arm, is it different from the non-M?

[Rob]

sway bar pick up points - this I noticed, but does this really make that much of a difference?

Yes, the difference in leverage makes a big difference in the performance of the front sway bar.

[Bryson]

bigger wheel bearings..

[nando]

btw the ix has the same sway bar pick up points as the M3. :)

[Stu]

front

Bigger wheel bearings
2-piece strut housings
aluminum control arms (89+)
offset control arm rear bushings
larger control arm ball joints
front swaybar pickup point
stiffer springs, stiffer shocks
thinner swaybar to accomodate pickup points
quicker steering rack

rear

bigger wheel bearings
stiffer springs, shocks
different trailing arm pickup points on subframe
thicker swaybar


and yea, they're 5-lug