how to make an e30 feel more "planted"

[Hick]

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

[dothadance]

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

[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.

[TurboJake]

Instant sarcastic response without reading anything.
Wider tires.

[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" ?

[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.

[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.

[CHIF8008]

I agree with everything said.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[Vivek]

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

[acolella76]

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

[bowtie2bimmer]

yep

Holy shit balls Batman... i want one!