E30 Handling Characteristics

[dpspeed]

I have been in the Miata and Mustang world and am now exploring the E30 world. Obviously, the Miata has one of the best suspension systems designed by a OEM mfr. The Mustang however, was originally designed (fox chassis in '79) to be a Fairmont and was not really changed until 2005.

So my big question is how does the E30 suspension fair at the limit. I've read that the front suspension is Macpherson strut and the rear is a trailing arm setup (which I don't know much about). I've been searching for information on this site as well as a few others...haven't found all the information I've been looking for yet.

Thanks for the help.

Dave

[jlevie]

That rather depends on what suspension setup and tires the car has. I find that an E30 with a Spec E30 suspension setup is very neutral with no bad habits.

[dpspeed]

That is good feedback because that is where my car will be headed once I find one...

Does it have any problems with binding or anything like that?

One thing I love about my Miata is that it feels like the more you turn the wheel, the more the car wants to grip. I guess that is probably attributed to the suspension and the camber gain upon suspension compression.

Does the front or rear suspension on E30s gain camber when the suspension compresses?

Thanks

Dave

[redcarbon]

Yes the rear suspension will gain camber as it compress and the front macpherson will gain camber to a point and then start losing camber. The lower the car is the more likely you'll get in to the negative camber gain regime.

I have never driven a miata but when I had IE stage 3 springs, IE big sways and hankook rs-2 tires on my 318is I would describe the grip just like you said, the more you turned the wheel the more it would grip. It was a great set up, the car was so predictable and communicated well. I could swing the car around and know and feel exactly where it was going. I miss that car.

The car is very controllable and would let you explore the limits with out much drama. Quite different than my new car, the s2000. It's hard to keep that car at the limit.

[StereoInstaller1]

I had a chance to flog a Miata set up for Solo2 (whatever the hell that means) and I have passengered in a PRO3 racecar, plus ridden in several "Fuh RAze" specials (including Jordans).

I would honestly say that the E30 is pretty much the same flavor in a bigger size. More tail happy thean the Mazda, a bit more "push", but overall very similar.

Luke

[trent]

the fucking e30 has this cool thing called "snap oversteer" where the rear finds it's limit and then lets go. Most of this is a function of camber/toe changes the rear trailing arm design lets happen. Its pretty sweet, thats how I wrote off my first E30.

[ed94r]

I own a miata (SCCA Solo2 E stock prep) and own and have driven well set-up E30's, including the SCCA Solo2 DSP E30 that finished 6th in DSP some years ago...Tom Bleh's car.

The miata takes a set and hangs on...once it takes a set, it's difficult to upset. It likes to be flogged. The E30 takes a more delicate hand. It is not fast at 90% like a miata is. It's pushy. It is only quick at 99% if you bring it up slowly to the limit. You have to load the chassis alot more delicately than the miata...on entry, center out, AND (especially) on exit. I get the impression that the E30 likes alot of roll stiffness...operating in a sweet spot of the camber/toe curve,whereas the miata works well thru the suspension travel, gaining camber along the curve and not picking up any weird toe angles/bump steer along the way.

Two different animals. Now the E36 chassis...that's another story.

Ed

[dpspeed]

You have to load the chassis alot more delicately...

Ed

You also have to do this on a stock miata with blown shocks! I currently have Tein Basics and it handles much better. Running a stock Miata on track has really taught me how to turn in smoothly and minimize imputs. You want the car to take a set and not have to saw on the wheel to get it pointed to where you want it to go.

I think I am going to like the handling on the 325is! Now, I just need to find a nice one..........:)

Dave

[browntown]

You dont need nice anything, find a clean shell, replace everything underneath the car, tune the motor, and pay your fees. Paying any extra for an IS over an I seems a little silly as you'll probably be changing out the suspension anyways and short of some minor styling cues, it's the same car as any other I. Just don't buy an "e", unless you know you're going to swap motors later. The bumpers are big, and the motors aren't worth the effort to build up.

[jlevie]

You dont need nice anything, find a clean shell, replace everything underneath the car, tune the motor, and pay your fees. Paying any extra for an IS over an I seems a little silly as you'll probably be changing out the suspension anyways and short of some minor styling cues, it's the same car as any other I

You'll certainly want the limited slip differential, which is standard on an IS. But other than that there's no advantage to an IS over an I since you will want to upgrade the suspension.

[alleykat]

E36 characteristics

ed94r,
I also autoX a miata on stock springs and koni sports. I am interested in the handling differences between an e30 and e36. I need to get a car that has back seats and have been torn between a late e30 vs an early e36 since they seem to be in the same price range at the moment.

[ed94r]

ed94r,
I also autoX a miata on stock springs and koni sports. I am interested in the handling differences between an e30 and e36. I need to get a car that has back seats and have been torn between a late e30 vs an early e36 since they seem to be in the same price range at the moment.

The E36 is a superior chassis in all regards. You may be able to go as quick in an E30 but you will sweat doing it, while the E36 guy's out for a Sunday drive. It's much (MUCH) easier to reach and stay at the limit in an E36 than an E30. It's way more forgiving, handling bumps and yumps (especially mid-corner) that would send the E30 into the weed's.

Having said the above, an E30 is WAY more fun to drive. If you have a good lap in an E30, YOU (the driver) did it, not the car. It's a better learning tool for sure...In a nutshell:

Miata: Momentum Maintenance. Can be set-up to handle flawlessly.
E36: Instant Fun, covers for you and makes you look good.
E30: If you can fly an E30, you can fly anything. Steepest Learning Curve.

Ed

PS. Ever make it down to Tidewater? TSCC has an outstanding site. ACU4 is better than VMP!!!!

[alleykat]

Acu 4

Yes I run events at ACU4 3 or 4 times. Best facility I have ever seen for autoX.

So my question remains. As a daily "fun" driver, would the e30 be your choice?

[ed94r]

My vote is for the E30. You won't regret it.

Ed

[alleykat]

My wife has an e46 323i that is an excellent car on the highway. It is not very toss-able in the corners. I guess I want a miata with back seats. I can't wait to drive the new 1series.