Setting up E30 front suspension

[ethrty]

hey guys.

Got another few questions for you! I want to make sure everything is 100% taken into consideration till its all set up so few more questions.

one: we all know the difference between the two struts are the tube (vertical) part of it being either 45mm or 51mm. I need to know if there are ANY other differences between them
Particulaily interested in whether the wheels sit any further out in the gaurds between the two (would assume you could tell by measuring the position of the hub in relation to the bottom ball joint?)

two: using M3 cabs, how much further forward to the wheels sit? has anyone actually measured? im sure i would be able to find out the degree increase on the net somewhere (i have done before), but havent seen the change in wheel placment in a straight line forward mentioned anywhere

(i should probably say why i ask... im running slightly oversize tyres, and dont want to remove the plastic plates infront of the wheels the plastic brake air ducts go to if it can help it as they are, more than anything, protecting my two air compressors from getting wet, and so ill have to relocate them if they need to be taken off. i doubt they actually have any worthwhile effect to brake cooling)

three: what would you all recommend for toe settings? I know the theory of what toe does to a car, but havent had the chance to play around with it and see what it does in a real life situation. Should i use the factory recommendations for toe despite the change in both caster and camber up front or..?

thanks!

[Sagaris]

hey guys.
one: we all know the difference between the two struts are the tube (vertical) part of it being either 45mm or 51mm. .....


.....two: using M3 cabs, how much further forward to the wheels sit? has anyone actually measured? im sure i would be able to find out the degree increase on the net somewhere (i have done before), but havent seen the change in wheel placment in a straight line forward mentioned anywhere

What are these different struts you are reffering to? M3 vs non M3?


I have my new control arms and M3 CAB's ready to install as soon as my springs and dampers arrive this week so I went and took some measurements. From the geometry of the control arm I calculated that the caster will be set 0.39"-0.43" forward which is 10mm-11mm.

The center of the hole on the M3 offset bushing is ~ 0.405" (just over 10.25mm) from the center of the centered bushing.

That is about what I expected for the caster change.

[ethrty]

@struts, in europe 320i comes on 45mm struts, like your pfl 318i. 325i comes on 51mm struts. sorry i just copied and pasted this from a forum i also posted on closer to home.. should have clarified.

Thanks so much for those measurements!