how to make an e30 feel more "planted"

[jeffnhiscars]

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.

Does it follow then that coilovers are inherently better handling because they are theoretically "matched" ?

[TurboJake]

Instant sarcastic response without reading anything.
Wider tires.

[nrubenstein]

Does it follow then that coilovers are inherently better handling because they are theoretically "matched" ?

No, this does not follow.

What makes cool over setups better is that they give you more flexibility. You get the possibility of fixing the front suspension travel issues. You get corner balancing. You can choose spring rates. The flip side is that you have a lot more freedom to fuck up your suspension.

A well matched spring/shock combo should not be any worse than a coilover setup in stock length struts.

[dothadance]

dump the shit out of it and get a 10 inch splitter.

[Hick]

really? I just bought an E36 and i feel more out of control and 'lofty' than any of my E30's

[Kershaw]

Your e36 has a beat to shit suspension then.

[Hick]

Doubt it... '97 328is, 109k: brand new tires, control arms, tierods and an alignment

[davem]

Your e36 has a beat to shit suspension then.

+1

I drove a very mint low mileage 328ic and the suspension felt very planted, more so than my car.

Doubt it... '97 328is, 109k: brand new tires, control arms, tierods and an alignment

On the flip side, I also drove a worn out 2002 323i with something like 140k miles and it was much less planted than my e30.

[Wh33lhop]

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned alignment yet. Lots of caster, a little toe in and adequate camber are just as important to handling/stability as spring rates. My car feels pretty planted at any speed, although my suspension is a bit stiff for some of the big highway bumps. Good tires definitely go a long way as well.

Doubt it... '97 328is, 109k: brand new tires, control arms, tierods and an alignment

What shape are the trailing arm bushings in? E36 has a stiffer chassis and much better rear suspension than an e30, so that's hard to believe.

[iamsam]

kind of an odd type of thread to start, it seems that E30 suspension info is abundant in the proper subforum. Other than that, "planted" consists generally of a low center of gravity and a wide wheelbase/track.

[Hick]

What shape are the trailing arm bushings in? E36 has a stiffer chassis and much better rear suspension than an e30, so that's hard to believe.

Dunno, Ive been too busy with a new jorb to even consider looking at it.

Its not that the car is "everywhere", it still drives nice anddoes not try to make me crash, but it just does not feel as stable as my e30. I guess i should add my e30 is on h&r races, bil sports, beefy sways and some grippy tires.

[Falconer]

kind of an odd type of thread to start

You should see this guy on our local forum 8-)

Dave you car is pretty sorted, at this point I'd think you benefit from wider wheels with a tad lower offset, and grippier tires. After that then you might be thinking about going for stiffer coils and dampers. H&R sports are pretty soft in comparison to alternatives.

[nrubenstein]

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned alignment yet. Lots of caster, a little toe in and adequate camber are just as important to handling/stability as spring rates. My car feels pretty planted at any speed, although my suspension is a bit stiff for some of the big highway bumps. Good tires definitely go a long way as well.



What shape are the trailing arm bushings in? E36 has a stiffer chassis and much better rear suspension than an e30, so that's hard to believe.

I did. ;)

[Falconer]

An e36 steering rack will also help because the feeling of being "planted" also comes from the control and confidence you feel in your car, not just the physical attributes of the suspension.

[jeffnhiscars]

No, this does not follow.

What makes cool over setups better is that they give you more flexibility. You get the possibility of fixing the front suspension travel issues. You get corner balancing. You can choose spring rates. The flip side is that you have a lot more freedom to fuck up your suspension.

A well matched spring/shock combo should not be any worse than a coilover setup in stock length struts.

"should not be any worse" is not exactly a glowing endorsement. I'm enjoying the Cabrio a lot but in it's current state it rides far too much like my stepdad's 67 Bonneville with a German twist and the front wheel arches offend me. Once I get it dialed in....TB, belts, hoses and seals sitting in a box waiting to be installed...flasher buzzing on right turns etc...then its on to upgrades. I'll probably take the 16" BBS RK's off the 318i, but the BS Sports & Prokits stay there (as they should).

There's logic to the H&R Sport Cabrio springs (vehicle specific) but until I cut the bump stops down on the BS Sports and see how the 318i rides then Im not sure I'd buy another set. I know I had Koni's on something (could have been the Alfa)...and always had a good feeling about them but in the end it's always a compromise.

Thats what makes coilovers an interesting option. Dial in height, spring rate and damping rather than having to swap out components. Choose your poison.