Suspension setup help: OVERSTEER

[2002maniac]

ok, I have GC coilovers with 400/600 on my 318is. Bilstein sports, mtech swaybars 21/14.5 and 2.5 degrees neg camber up front.

I have significant oversteer which is fun, but not the best setup. I would like to maximize traction at all 4 wheels.

Should I go with stiffer springs up front, or a IE front sway?

Thanks for the help guys!

[rwh11385]

ST front bar. m3 endlinks

[2002maniac]

ST front bar. m3 endlinks

ST bar is 22mm, Cabrio is 21mm. Will 1mm make a significant difference? I have the M3 links btw.

[nickmp0wer]

lower the back or raise the front. Thats what the adjustments are made for

[Brew]

Try pulling your rear sway.

[rwh11385]

Try pulling your rear sway.

That too is an obvious answer. You have plenty of spring rate in the back to do so.

Yeah, a cabby bar would be a cheap upgrade, but the ST would be a cheap source for adjustability, so you could alter the balance with the soft to firm settings on it. I just went for the smaller aftermarket bar which would be my personal choice. IE sells its bar seperate so you can go with it if you want to. Not sure if it would make you understeer then.


And nick's actually right. Raising or lowering the heights can factor in the handling balance.


My rear bar is unhooked and solved my oversteer problems.
If you don't want to do that, you can trade your rear springs for a step softer pair.



Or, just raise your rear tire pressures a little.

[2002maniac]

Yeah, a cabby bar would be a cheap upgrade

I already have the cabrio front bar. I'll try disconnecting the rear.

[JeffBij]

ok, I have GC coilovers with 400/600 on my 318is. Bilstein sports, mtech swaybars 21/14.5 and 2.5 degrees neg camber up front.

I have significant oversteer which is fun, but not the best setup. I would like to maximize traction at all 4 wheels.

Should I go with stiffer springs up front, or a IE front sway?

Thanks for the help guys!

What's the toe set at on the rear. If it is running slightly "out" than it will oversteer. I've been running a Zero toe on my track car and it will snap oversteer if I'm not careful. Thinking of going 1/16" in.

When you are saying 400/600 on the springs. You mean 400 in the front? If so, the front should be stiffer than the rear. Weight transfers to the front on braking and when you lift off the gas. Too soft in the front and it will dive too much, causing the back to step out.

[Brew]

What's the toe set at on the rear. If it is running slightly "out" than it will oversteer. I've been running a Zero toe on my track car and it will snap oversteer if I'm not careful. Thinking of going 1/16" in.

When you are saying 400/600 on the springs. You mean 400 in the front? If so, the front should be stiffer than the rear. Weight transfers to the front on braking and when you lift off the gas. Too soft in the front and it will dive too much, causing the back to step out.

Because of the e30's rear suspension design, a higher rear spring rate is required to get a balanced set-up. All of the proven aftermarket springs, not just custom GC's, have a rear bias in spring rate.

[JeffBij]

Because of the e30's rear suspension design, a higher rear spring rate is required to get a balanced set-up. All of the proven aftermarket springs, not just custom GC's, have a rear bias in spring rate.

My mistake, you are correct. Shouldn't have opened my mouth without checking my facts.

[Mystikal]

Increase front camber value.
Remove rear sway bar.
Lower rear perch.
Raise front perch.
Adjust tire pressures.

Any or all of the above will work, for free. Don't buy new bars.