I'm interested in hearing about your suspension set-ups. My car is a daily driver, autoxer, and track car. Yes, I want the magic bullet.
Currently stock -- great, if somewhat soft.
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April 21, 2010 6:41 a.m. ZOO Dork
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April 21, 2010 6:52 a.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork
For a street car w/ occasional bouts of sport H&R race springs + Konis is a nice, cost effective compromise.
That said... I ran Ground Control full race with camber plates, Koni DAs and solid or ureltane mounts in everything for a while before I got a trailer and it was not too bad really*.
*Read as "pretty bad". I was willing to put up with it at the time because it was slick as catE36 M3 on the track and adjustable to almost drivable on the street in 10 minutes.
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April 21, 2010 7:18 a.m. Gimp Dork
AST's are on sale right now, and while still $$$$ they can do everything.
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April 21, 2010 7:27 a.m. bludroptop SuperDork
Gimp wrote:
AST's are on sale right now, and while still $$$$ they can do everything.
My understanding is that the AST pricing has been reduced more or less permanently, and the bimmerforum crowd consensus it that they are a high-end suspension for only a few hundred more than an entry level setup.
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April 21, 2010 8:21 a.m. Gimp Dork
You are more correct that I am.... Volume AST dealers have a permanent reduced price. If I were doing it all from scratch, I'd save up for a few extra months and get the AST's.
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April 21, 2010 8:26 a.m. mad_machine SuperDork
not an m3.. but in my ti I am almost fully polybushed and running the Bilstien pss9s. It's stiff, but livable for a daily (at least for my masochistic self.. your miliage may vary)
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April 21, 2010 9:32 a.m. ManBearSTIG New Reader
Click here. The guy who runs that site (just started up) sells AST, and used to have an E36 M3. He has already set up an E30 M3 for STX, that was amazing. Not only handled better, but rode better then the ground controls and Konis that were on it, and had spring rates that were at least 100 lbs more per corner. Not only can he sell you the AST's but has the knowledge to recommend spring rates for whatever it is you are looking to do.
Having driven quite a few cars with AST's now, I will fully recommend them.
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April 21, 2010 10:17 a.m. Joe Gearin Associate Publisher
My 97 M3 currently has the following:
Konis
stock springs
Eibach front bar
THK sway bar endlinks
This set-up is fantastic for the street, and doesn't completely fall on it's face at the track. I'll eventually go with a more aggressive spring, but I'm pretty happy with it currently.
Keep in mind this is a DD, and not really a track toy. (occasional autocross, track day, etc.)
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April 21, 2010 10:44 a.m. Gimp Dork
Another outlet for AST's is Vorshlag.
Terry is a very experience autocrosser with E36 M3 experience, and very helpful.
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April 21, 2010 12:03 p.m. Teh E36 M3 Reader
Which AST's? I see they have several versions on the vorshlag website.
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April 21, 2010 12:08 p.m. Gimp Dork
I'd go with the 4100's to start. The cool thing about them is you can have them upgraded later. Get them with the camber plates.
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April 22, 2010 4:08 p.m. billy3esq SuperDork
When I had an M3 street/occasional track day car, I ran the stock springs/sways with Konis. I found the handling/comfort balance to be just right, and it was still stock-class legal (although I never autocrossed it).
Full disclaimer: I actually like driving stock-ish cars on track. YMMV.
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April 22, 2010 6:22 p.m. dj06482 Reader
Has anyone run the stock springs with Bilsteins? My '97 328is has the sport package and I'd love to upgrade the shocks/struts, but don't want to lower the car any (roads around here are terrible). Looks like several people have had good luck with the Konis and stock springs, but I'd like to see any feedback for the Bilstein HDs on stock springs...
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April 22, 2010 7:39 p.m. irish44j HalfDork
just who do you think you're calling a "E36 M3", huh?
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April 22, 2010 8:00 p.m. ansonivan Reader
I'm running a complete stock e36 m3 suspension setup (springs, sways, strut mounts, offset control arm bushings) on my 328i with Bilstein sport shocks. I don't know what an overdamped car feels like but I think mine might fit the bill. It's never harsh but I do feel like the shocks are reacting too slowly over large bumps and transitions.
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April 22, 2010 10:14 p.m. glueguy New Reader
Yep, 97 M3/4/5 with OEM springs, bars and Bilsteins. Rides pretty well/firm/sporty, all of the poly bushings in the suspension change the nature more than the shocks. Autocrosses ok but not great, but it is more DD than solo car.
Bought it with the Bilsteins. If I were doing it I probably would have done it different, but I'm not unhappy with it for a sweet street ride.
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April 23, 2010 8:16 a.m. miatame Reader
99 M3 Stock springs and suspension setup are fantastic on the street. I added UUC sway bars to tame body roll that I wasn't accustomed to coming from a Miata. I also replaced the shocks with Konis. Rides great now.
Not nearly enough camber in the front for autoX. Bimmerworld sells a strut spacer kit to add up to a degree of camber. I'm going to try that first then go with camber plates if that doesn't get enough.
I really love not worrying about speed bumps or explaining to my wife why the car is so stiff, but if this were to stop being a DD I'd go with something like the AST setup.
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April 23, 2010 8:25 a.m. bludroptop SuperDork
miatame wrote:
Bimmerworld sells a strut spacer kit to add up to a degree of camber. I'm going to try that first then go with camber plates if that doesn't get enough.
I was able to get to -3.5 with two of the three shims supplied in the kit.
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April 23, 2010 8:29 a.m. ManBearSTIG New Reader
miatame wrote:
I really love not worrying about speed bumps or explaining to my wife why the car is so stiff, but if this were to stop being a DD I'd go with something like the AST setup.
I think you would be surprised how good a properly damped suspension can ride, even with higher spring rates. The AST 5300 on the E30 M3 I drove were amazing. Ride was firmer, but never harsh. Not even close. Rode 10 times better then the GC and Koni setup that was on it before.
