how to make an e30 feel more "planted"

[davem]

Is it possible to make an e30 feel more "planted"?

that is, improve things like high speed stability and composure over shitty roads - or will the car always be limited by its engineering? I know that maintenance of suspension/steering parts/tires is key as I've driven heavier/wider cars that have felt less planted than my e30 due to being worn out.

e.g.
-stiffer springs
-wider wheels/tires
-other suspension mods etc.

[Kershaw]

yep

[delatlanta1281]

It's a light car. But mods will help.

[BlackbirdM3]

I'd say my M3 is very well planted. Infact, I can't make it unsettled. I'd say a set of H&R Race springs and a very good set of struts and shocks will make a world of difference. No, you won't have a plush ride like a typical american boat, but a firm controlled ride that sicks like crazy. Also, a good set of tires will go a long way. Heck, a good set of struts and shocks will make a big difference just with the stock springs.

Will

[camshaftgsxr]

buy an e36? those feel like they are planted in mud

[bowtie2bimmer]

yep

Holy shit balls Batman... i want one!

[acolella76]

Add a LOT of weight. maybe a proper alignment for high speed stability.

[Vivek]

buy an e36? those feel like they are planted in mud

[nrubenstein]

Composure over shit roads is impacted in large part by dampers and suspension travel. IMHO, the geometry changes aren't *that* big a deal.

As for high speed stability, again, dampers and alignment. In particular, more rebound.

Except when you are cornering, wider tires will make the car LESS stable as there is more tire for road imperfections to drag around (and you are more likely to hit them). Stiffer springs help to a point, but it's easy to go too stiff and make the car just bounce over the bumps you hit in normal driving.

Tires are also an important factor. Reasonably low profile (45-50 series) tires will provide much better sidewall control. High quality tires will also make a big difference.

That said, if you want it to feel like an E90, the cheapest way to get there is to buy an E90.

[ak-]

Freshening up all the rubber in your suspension including the rear end trailing arm/subframe bushings help tons from my experience.
The subframe/TA bushing replacement and reinforcement was night and day and helped higher speed stability.

It's not always springs, shocks, and bars.

[F34R]

I replaced all the suspension bushings with AKG polly bushings and have coilovers with high rates(in my thread below). It is SUPER planted =) Hoping the wider BBS RS that I am building will make it even more so. But honestly new bushings and coilovers make it a new animal.

[davem]

lol love the "buy an e36/e46/e90" comments...

My cars has a fresh suspension: bushings (subframe, trailing arm, control arm)/control arms/tierods/H&Rs/Bilsteins and it drives great... I was just curious as to what influences the planted feel, some good info so far.

[CHIF8008]

I agree with everything said.

[nrubenstein]

Freshening up all the rubber in your suspension including the rear end trailing arm/subframe bushings help tons from my experience.
The subframe/TA bushing replacement and reinforcement was night and day and helped higher speed stability.

It's not always springs, shocks, and bars.

I operate under the assumption that if you don't know you need to replace that stuff, you're probably pretty hopeless. :p Also, the OP stated that he understands that.

[jlevie]

It goes without saying that worn parts anywhere in the suspension are detrimental to good handling. With good parts there offset control arm bushings will increase caster and thus increase high speed stability. Over rough roads how well matched the shock rates are with the spring rates will determine how well the car handles. To much or too little damping for the springs used is a bad thing.