I drove a z3 today...handling question

[mikejungle]

This guy at my work was having problems with his engine so he asked if i could help him figure it out. I'm not the most experienced, but i figured out it was a misfiring problem. He apparently had a diagnostic tool and we later found out that it was coil #5.

Anyway, compared to my eta, the car pulled so much harder and I can't wait to swap out my engine, but the handling felt weird.

I haven't driven too many cars, but I think I'm running on some sort of bilsteins and some springs, with new tie rods, control arms and CABs.

His z3 felt a bit unresponsive and the car didn't feel very agile through turns. Can anyone tell me if this is a correct assessment and if so, why does it feel that way? Do my suspension mods make my car handle "better" than the z3 or am i just not used to the way the z3 handles?

[Steeler325is]

Likely his suspension was shot and in need of replacement. It doesn't surprise me that a refreshed E30 suspension handled much better then a worn out Z3... Was it a 4 banger or a straight 6 Z car? The spring rates in the 4 banger are pretty low making it not so stiff in turns.

[mikejungle]

It was the m52b28.

So that feeling of unresponsiveness is never really a...positive, right? I mean, maybe in a high speed car where stability is desired?
Like i said, there seemed to be a slight lag between my steering and the response from the wheels.

[Jaxx_]

there are a few factors, most noticeable would be tires and sidewall size, inflation psi. Behind that I'd say bushings and alignment.

[Stephen]

Could be wear on the suspension, as the z3 and e30s suspension are very simlar. (my mother has a 3.0 i've driven quite a bit) However, the steering is heavier which might make it feel less agile, but did you push it? They hold on a lot longer stock v stock. Also a lot more tire meat than a normal e30.

[Kershaw]

worn out suspension on the z3.

[e34john]

The ones I've driven, were a blast. Never drove a Z3M but a few 3.0s on some mountain roads and canyon passes. A lot of fun, and I felt more confident in the Z to push harder than my 325i. Z3 was a well maintained stock car, my car has some suspension and wheels/tires.

[BMWLOCO]

I have both, an E30 with stock suspension (so far) and a Z3M Coupe with the Koni/HR setup. I can say that the Z3 with refreshed suspension is a monster to drive. When I got it last year it had broken rear strut mounts and 10 year old shocks/springs. Once I replaced that, it was pretty much a cart on wheels. With the 9'' wide rears and the 7.5 fronts, the car is butter.

For the last 3 days I've been giving the M Coupe a break from the daily drive. I've had a lot of fun driving the E30. I feel like I'm cheating on the Z3.. Still, she understands. Just today I got in my set of RS3's for her. She'll be happier this weekend.

The E30 will be getting some Bilstein/Irelend Engineering suspension this weekend and some RE11's. We'll see about that later..

[peytonracer4]

my dad's z3 handles amazing. my e46 is very impressive with some aftermarket suspension goodies but the steering responsiveness gives the false sensation of better handling. the best way i can describe how it feels is tight. it's extremely tight and has no slop in handling. it has about 60k original miles and is the 2.8

[freeride53]

worn out suspension on the z3.

[Edev]

worn out suspension on the z3.

[Ian Bowers]

What was the tire PSI? I know driving my car on tires at 50PSI is unresponsive/floaty/scary.

[leothedrummer]

I know driving my car on tires at 50PSI...

Uhhh...why would you do that?

[Ian Bowers]

Was at the track for a drift day, I needed gas. It was a dollar a gallon more at the track, so I drove 6 miles into town. I didn't change my rear tires/wheels before I left.

[leothedrummer]

Was at the track for a drift day, I needed gas. It was a dollar a gallon more at the track, so I drove 6 miles into town. I didn't change my rear tires/wheels before I left.

Ah, gotcha. Didn't consider drifting and for some reason I thought that you were driving around at 50psi all the time. Sorry mate.