e36s vs e30s

[shiboujin]

I'm saying, there's not much diff outside of 2 links instead of 1 that attaches in 2 places. The geometry is remarkably similar and still give you (ultimately) very similar camber/toe curves. Therefore, "superior" should be changed to "marginally better"

[Wh33lhop]

Better non-exploded view of the E36 rear:

part #5 is the trailing arm. spring sits in it. doesn't give near macpherson strut efficiency. As far as I'm concerned, the only diff between that and an E30 rear end is that they separated the trailing arm into 2 parts and changed it's attachment point on the subframe.

You still get dynamic toe/camber. Not AS bad on the toe part. You gain easy adjustability but that's about it. Not worth it imo.

What exactly is your rigorous analysis of this suspension based on? There is technically a trailing arm, yes, but that is not the only link in the suspension.

[shiboujin]

Nah, any adjusting you add to an E30 rear suspension is like saying that ebay chip made your car "fucking fast like it haz vtac yo!". I have the the weld in adjusters and it does just enough to make me not want to punch myself in the nuts. So in that sense, yes the E36 is superior. Doesn't make up for everything else though. I wouldn't bother retrofitting that suspension into an E30.

[Lurker27]

And you can add adjustability to the E30. Some dynamic camber and toe gain is good anyway, if you live on the right part of the curve. People blame the E30 geometry when they break the camber/toe curves by lowering it, then don't fix it (<$200, might I add).

[rammstein]

E30s are like skinny chicks. Swap the engine, and they are like skinny chicks with big boobs.

[shiboujin]

part #5 is the trailing arm. spring sits in it. doesn't give near macpherson strut efficiency. As far as I'm concerned, the only diff between that and an E30 rear end is that they separated the trailing arm into 2 parts and changed it's attachment point on the subframe.

You still get dynamic toe/camber. Not AS bad on the toe part. You gain easy adjustability but that's about it. Not worth it imo.

[E-Thirty]

Not by much...

Actually, quite a bit in comparison. And please explain how it's still a semi-trailing arm?

[agent]

If you can get a NICE e30, go for it. Don't buy one that needs a ton of work.

I think this statement is only true if discussing purchasing a DD. I bought an E30 as a second - third if you count my wife's - car that needed (and still needs) plenty of things done to it. I'm just doing what I can as I can afford to, and the satisfaction of bringing it back to some semblance of its former glory is what keeps me motivated.

[shiboujin]

Not by much...

[E-Thirty]

Better geometry and adjustability.

[shiboujin]

lol it's still semi trailing arm though.

[th3blue]

multi-link suspension > trailing arm suspension

[shiboujin]

oooh yay diagrams. that explains EVERYTHING.

[E-Thirty]

vs

[shiboujin]

What exactly is superior about the suspension in an E36?