front drop on H&R sports WAY too low

[LJ851]

what are your measurements from the rocker panel to the ground? Behind the front wheel and in front of the back wheel.

[bastianshaw]

I don not see what the problem is?
are you just trying to figure why it dropped more than advertised?
My races dropped more than expected too

[taiden]

my measurements done the way you requested LJ851

I think the rear springs are still settling for what it's worth.

        left    right
front   6.0"    6.0"
rear    7.0"    6.5"

[ssaylor]

The M3 is lower to begin with due to having 1 less coil than the standard. Only diff between standard and m3 springs is 1 less coil

Not true. The spring rate is different for the standard E30 325, the 325is "sport" spring and the M3 spring. Additionally, the M3 has the 5 series suspension which is verry different than the 325.

[LJ851]

my measurements done the way you requested LJ851

I think the rear springs are still settling for what it's worth.

        left    right
front   6.0"    6.0"
rear    7.0"    6.5"

Sounds perfect to me, that is basically the same rake i have.

[LJ851]

Not true. The spring rate is different for the standard E30 325, the 325is "sport" spring and the M3 spring. Additionally, the M3 has the 5 series suspension which is verry different than the 325.

You, sir, are misinformed.

[ssaylor]

You, sir, are misinformed.

I should correct that to say, the E30 M3 uses many suspension parts from the E28 - 5-lug hubs, brakes, etc.. check it out yourself on the M Registry. And, the spring rate IS different between the E30 325i, 325is and M3.


Chassis

How is the M3's suspension different from that of a standard E30 3 Series?
The E30 M3’s chassis consists of the MacPherson strut/semi-trailing arm design used on all E30 3 Series model, but has been revised with the following changes:
-Three times more steering castor
-Front antiroll bar linked to the struts
-Stronger wheel bearings (from E28 5 Series)
-Thicker 19mm rear antiroll bar
-Shorter (by .6mm), stiffer springs
-Wider track
-Revalved shocks

Starting sometime in 1988, Euro-spec E30 M3s were available with Electronic Damper Control by Boge. This offered three shock stiffness settings, Komfort (K), Normal (N) and Sport (S) in order of increasing firmness, adjusted via a control knob in the center console.

How is the steering of the E30 M3 different from that of a standard 3 Series?
The E30 M3 has a power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering system with an overall ratio of 19.6:1, which is slightly quicker than the normal E30 ratio of 20.5:1.

What size brakes does the E30 M3 have?
All E30 M3s have vented front disc brakes measuring 11.1-inches (280mm) and solid rear discs measuring 11.1-inches (282mm). ABS is standard.

What are the factory wheel and tire sizes for the E30 M3?
There were two wheel and tire combinations available for the E30 M3. A 7x15-inch cross-spoke alloy wheel with 205/55VR15 tires was the standard wheel on European-spec models and was also fitted to all North American-spec examples. However, the Evolution II, Sport Evolution and Cecotto/Ravaglia special editions were equipped with 225/45ZR16 tires on 7.5x16-inch alloys of the same cross-spoke design. This larger wheel and tire package could also be ordered as a factory option on regular Euro-spec M3s.

[LJ851]

-Three times more steering castor

Not possible, 3 degrees more i think you meant.

[immajackuup]

Your spring is on back ward?

[trackjunkie21]

An m10 weighs 83kg/180lbs
An m50 weighs 140kg/308lbs

Hence why I said after swapping from an m42, about a 20-30lb difference.

[taiden]

Had a chance to drive the car around today. Handles much better except I think I'm on my bumpstops more often than not. LJ851, any wisdom?

It's a long story but at the moment I'm on Boge front struts with ~500 miles on them
And bilstein sports that have god knows how many miles in the back.

[LJ851]

Alright here is my measurement sheet.

                        front      rear
ride height stock       15.25"     14.5"
            H&R         13.00"     13.5"
            difference  2.25"      1.0"


free length stock       14.25"     9.5"
            H&R         10.75"     8.0"

Are these #'s center of hub to fender?

[taiden]

Are these #'s center of hub to fender?

Yes

[LJ851]

My car with h&r races is 12.5 front and that is 1.8 inches of metal to metal travel. That leaves you with 2.3 inches of travel. I had M3 bump stops at first and they were already touching at static ride height. The stock e30 bumps are almost an inch taller. What bumpstops do you have?

I think to run an e30 at around 2 inches travel a fairly sporty shock (read compression damping) is needed. Mine with race springs bottoms out pretty easily with SA konis and h&r races are way stiffer than yours.

Mine road way better with a very short bump stop, although when it hits it is more severe. I'm thinking about making some firm rubber ones.

[taiden]

I have the stock bump stops with the center bubble removed. I think I'm going to snag some of these and modify them to be a little softer up top.

I'll probably get some shorter inserts next time around. The amount of travel I have now is unacceptable.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ENS-16-9101R/