Rolling into oversteer.

[16v of E30]

Hi all, I have this problem with oversteer ive noticed with my new wagon.

1988 325i TOURING.

Heres the deal: I will be going into a corner, and as i turn I feel the body roll slightly, like it should, as the weight transfers to that side of the car...as i continue turning at the same radius the car rolls to a certain point, almost feeling like a "flat spot" in the body roll, and then begins to oversteer. When its wet, it almost put me sideways if you are not carefull. It also seems to hydroplane and get loose even though i have winter tires with deep treads, and siping.

I have been told that the car doesnt drive in a straight line, but it prefers to wander verrrrrrrry slightly, and even thought there is no vibration like an alignment issue, the steering is tight and responsive. When I accellerate, the back end does not feel like it wants to wander like a rear subframe mount issue, so i have kind of ruled that one out. I would really like to hear your guys thoughts on suspension failures i must have. Swaybar bushings? Subframe bushes? diff bushings? strut tower mounts?

Thanks,
Ryan

[Stu]

Is it happening in steady-state cornering?

Have you put the car on an alignment rack? If not, I'd do that first just to get a print-out of the specs. Sounds like rear toe could be the issue, which, if well out of spec, might be due to worn trailing arm bushings or a bent trailing arm.

[16v of E30]

So if it were the rear toe issue, that would mean each wheel would have a -deg toe reading correct? when the weight hits it in steady state cornering the neg toe acts like a rear steering, over steering you into tokyo drift mode.

whats the shop re and re time on trailing arm bushings?

[JeffRR]

What springs/ride height are you running?

[bimmerboy02]

Are we talking agressive driving or just normal? If the former, I wouldn't overlook the lack of performance snow tires offer on dry pavement.

[16v of E30]

normal driving