BilsteinSports/HRSprings...Best all round alignment specs?

[a3ternus]

I drive a M10 engined E30.
I m about to get new tyres and do alignment again.

Whats the stock and whats the best values for getting
a responsive steering good for medium cornering and hish speed straights?

At this point I have a somewhat light steering at straights at low speed
and light steering when beginning to turn at a corner,but it
gets heavier when actually getting into the corner with a bit more steering input.It makes it difficult to judge correctly my initial speed getting into a corner even at around 40mph.At bigger speeds the cornering is ok even with those worn tyres.

N.

[a3ternus]

Should I Just go for factory specs in the front and be done with it?
Click for full size photo:


Excuse me for asking maybe a simple question,but can you adjust
anything more than toe in or out in the front E30 suspension?
I dont have camber plates or anything like that installed on the car.


N.

[HarryPotter]

Toe adjustments are all you can do on a stock e30. The rear isn't adjustable at all unless you upgrade some parts. For a car you drive on the street I'd suggest just getting the tires centered.

A little toe out will give you better turn in. But I am sure you know that the tires will wear faster and at the sacrifice of straight line stability.

[a3ternus]

So,I ll have to just print the stock specs
and go to a professional shop to get the job done,huh?
N.

[HarryPotter]

Thats a great idea. I'd print that sheet out and have the tech look at it. I just went in and had them center the toe to 0.

Zero toe with give you maximum tire life and give you less hassle overall, again if this is your daily or just a street driving car just have them point the tires straight. A wee bit of toe in will give you better straight line stability again at the expense of tire wear.

I've heard of some people setting their toe to correct the slight run off of the angle of the roads. I'd say almost all roads are built convex to keep puddles from forming thus causing your car to pull to the right a bit. You can get the tech to put a little toe out on the left wheel to fight this effect. (or right) depending on what side of the road you guys drive on in greece.. I didn't take that into account.

[a3ternus]

Thats a great idea. I'd print that sheet out and have the tech look at it. I just went in and had them center the toe to 0.

Zero toe with give you maximum tire life and give you less hassle overall, again if this is your daily or just a street driving car just have them point the tires straight. A wee bit of toe in will give you better straight line stability again at the expense of tire wear.

I've heard of some people setting their toe to correct the slight run off of the angle of the roads. I'd say almost all roads are built convex to keep puddles from forming thus causing your car to pull to the right a bit. You can get the tech to put a little toe out on the left wheel to fight this effect. (or right) depending on what side of the road you guys drive on in greece.. I didn't take that into account.

We drive the same you do in the states! :D

I wouldnt go that far as to do what you describe in the last paragraph,
but I ll certainly have him dial a bit of toe in just to get that little extra stability.A little toe in will help at better initial turn in also?
The 318i is light at the front anyway so toe in will help it be even more pointy? I m really interested especially in the initial turn of the steering.
Mine feels hella light when turning.Then it gets a bit heavier,but still it s not so good for keeping up the pace in twisty roads.

Sorry for the questions.I m still learning about suspension geometry
a little bit at a time...
N.

[HarryPotter]

Toe out for turn in, toe in for straight line stability.

I do believe these cars do feel a bit light on the initial turn in though, I've heard multiple people mention it.

here's a great read you can check out to learn a little more.

http://www.ozebiz.com.au/racetech/theory/align.html

[a3ternus]

Toe out for turn in, toe in for straight line stability.

I do believe these cars do feel a bit light on the initial turn in though, I've heard multiple people mention it.

here's a great read you can check out to learn a little more.

http://www.ozebiz.com.au/racetech/theory/align.html

Thanks a lot! VERY informative link! ;)
I ll get just a slight toe out I guess...
N.

[HarryPotter]

Glad I could help!