Setup advice for newbie

[naplesE30]

Well I just attended my first auto x with my new to me 318iS. What a blast,, very addictive. While I had a great time it was very appearent to me that in bone stock form my car is a little sloppy, as I am sure so is my driving. Already signed up for evo school to help solvethe latter prob. Anyway I was just seeking some advice from you guys on where to improve the cars handiling frist? It is my daily driver,,, but I dont mind a harsh ride,, I am almost always the only person in the car. If you guys have any advice on good wheel tire combos and coilover setups I am all ears.. Not worried about going into a different class as right now am just looking to have some good fun. Any advice is appreciated.


Tire pressure was adjusted after the run in the pic:D

[PiercedE30]

Maintenance. Number one, but if there are upgrade parts that can replace old worn out parts, then do the upgrades. (like if you replace the CABs, I would replace them with urethanes)

[ban1]

i dont know much about seeing how i am just getting my first e30 (3 25e) but on the driving go to a gravel lot some where and spin around and try to control the car with just the gas and when you feel like its second nature then try it on some curvey road

[naplesE30]

I have already ordered some maint parts i.e. bushings tie rod ends and so forth..I would like to eliminate some of the body roll and improve the traction with a comp wheel/tire combo. I would like to be on the higher end preformance wise with my setup as I want to make this a very fun track ca,r and dont want to spend money on one setup only to purchase another one down the line that is more aggresive.

Also I do know I have some improving to do as a driver but I would like to have to learn the car as few times as possible... I dont want to hjave to keep relearning the cars capabilities every time I change something on it. Would be great to make all the changes at once.

[Erick]

Improving your car as you improve your own skills is a great way to learn. Back in '02 I had a bone stock 325i. By '04, I had one with shocks and springs, wheels and minor bolt ons. By '06 I turbo'd the car. Now in '07 I have the coilovers, etc etc.... and I loved the progression of both.

[naplesE30]

Eventually I would love to do a motor swap for power but for now I just really want to make my car handle as good as possible? I want to handle all whopping 130 horses for now... Wouldnt a car with less body roll and tighter suspension be easier to drive in something like auto x with all the quick changes of direction... what coilovers do you have and how do you like them?

[whiltebeitel]

You don't necessarily need coilovers, H&R Race/IE3 springs and Bilstien Sport/Koni SA are a good starting setup, ands I'm still trying to work the last out of mine.

Lots of people get GC coilovers or Slyder's kit (C3 Motorsport). www.ast-usa.com has/is developing monotube coilovers for competitive applicatons, but you're looking at over 2k for shocks/springs/camber plates. Advanced Designs also has a kit for a similar price.Then there is Moton, but you're at 6k entry there.

I'd suggest the regular spring/shock setup, it gives you less variables to mess with, so you can concentrate on driving fast and getting 10/10ths out of your E30.

For tires I reccomend Falken Azenis RT-615 or a similar street tire. Kosei K-1 and Race Dynamics are a few of the popular track wheels, but just an extra set to help your AX tires last longer should be your goal at this point. R-comp tires aren't a good idea yet, as they have a learning curve, and they'll re-inforce bad habits because they grip so much. iron out the kinks, then you can really use R's.

[jlevie]

I'll second the suggestion for H&R Race springs & Bilstein Sport shocks and add a suggestion for IE 22/29mm sways. That's the suspension we use on Spec E30's and it works very well, while still being streetable.

[whiltebeitel]

Reinforce your rear sway mounts before you upgrade the rear swaybar. The sheetmetal is thin back there.

[AlarmedBread]

Find a set of bottlecaps someone threw in the garbage. Buy a set of azenis for them.

Replace whatever is making that weird clunking noise when you turn that way...

Replace tires when worn.

Repeat.

[naplesE30]

thanks for all the advice... this info is just what I am looking for. Seriously considering the gc coilovers...Dont want to spend $600+ on springs and shocks to replace them a year later. what size wheel and tire is best with say a 1.5" drop all around what would be the widest and best wheel/tire combo for track days...

I know where my tax refund will be going to

[naplesE30]

Def going to get the IE sway bars. If anyone knows someone who is selling a set pass the word along please.

[xLibelle]

imo, its about having fun out there. it can get old though, changing wheels, etc etc etc, all for 4 minutes seat time... uhg
and dont expect to be winning much in class with that car. its an overweight, underpowered setup against the fwd beasts in your class. ...but its about having fun right?
so if you stick with ST classes, go for the springs, shocks and sways. the suspension is whats going to win (using that term losely) you the most time.

by no means follow my route, but i wanted bang for buck and purchased IE3 springs, Koni SA's, and IE 25/19* set of sways. In addition, m3 camber and caster, braided brake lines, sticky pads, set of 225's all around, and last but not least 4.10 LSD. I can take 1st in Atlanta region DSP when everything is just right.


*you have to ask for this combo. i have mine full hard in front, full soft in back and i dont intend to bring them any closer together