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#1. Suspension Upgrades - from Paul Elliott
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Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2001 22:47:01 -0500 From: "Paul Elliott" <pelliott@rcn.com> Subject: Suspension Upgrades >>Part of me says "Just stick with OEM set-up. It's good enough out of the box". But, the price difference between OEM and high performance is almost unimportant. I would like to lower the car just a bit<< Let me make a suggestion. Given the choice of replacing all 4 dampers, I would suggest looking at a Dinan stage I suspension upgrade...Its cost is only about $1000, which I dont think is much more than 4 oem dampers and springs...and for that, you get adjustable Konis, which will certainly well outlast the stock boges, plus you get your slight lowering which you wanted...I think this is one of the most reasonable Dinan upgrades you can do, and nobody knows suspensions like Steve. --------------------------------------------------------- Paul Elliott '99 White M3; < 35K miles; Dinan stage II sc kit; Rotex pads;X-Brace; Stygar SS and Clutch Stop; Sound by Polk, Excelon, JLAudio
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#2. Re: [E36M3] Suspension Upgrades - from The Abels
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Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2001 21:48:17 -0600 From: "The Abels" <aAbel@austin.rr.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Suspension Upgrades > Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2001 22:17:29 EST > From: LoweSeaton@aol.com > Subject: Re: [E36M3] Suspension Upgrades > > > Rich, > > Based on your description of 20-60 mph city driving and a few long > trips, I don't think you don't want Bilstein shocks. You have to really > really REALLY love a stiff shocks and then you have to keep telling > yourself that; or else about 500 miles into that long trip of yours you > will want to drive your M3 in a ditch and junk it. :-) Any passengers > will have long since jumped out in favor of walking. > > Bilsteins are absurdly stiff. They are serviceable for short commuting > trips but they are unnerving on long trips. Plus they don't work with > lowering springs unless you remove the front bumpstops. > This is my experience with Bilsteins as well, although with a different car. However, I just wanted to note that H&R coilovers are reputed to be butter smooth, maintaining near stock ride quality. H&R coilovers use Bilstein shocks. It seems that H&R had bilsteins custom valved. . . in a good way, although I have no first hand experience with the H&R c/o setup. Jeff 97 M3/4, painfully stock suspended
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#3. Re: [E36M3] Suspension Upgrades - from Zack Steinkamp
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Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2001 21:36:58 -0800 (PST) From: Zack Steinkamp <edsarkiss@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Suspension Upgrades > It seems that H&R had bilsteins custom valved. . . in a good > way, although I have no first hand experience with the H&R c/o setup. i have ... it's very nice. i like firm suspensions, and this is one of the best. not harsh at all -- but very rock-solid. the stock suspension feels a bit floaty in the rear compared with the H&R setup. both are of similar comfort, though. H&R really did an excellent job with the coilovers! zs __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Find the one for you at Yahoo! Personals http://personals.yahoo.com
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#4. Re: [E36M3] 17" vs 18" Kumho's for AutoX Use - from Bob Larson
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Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2001 22:10:55 -0800 From: "Bob Larson" <asp9111@home.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] 17" vs 18" Kumho's for AutoX Use >Date: Sat, 10 Nov 2001 19:34:37 -0800 >From: "Chris Teague" <cteague@home.com> >Subject: 17" vs 18" Kumho's for AutoX Use > >I am moving my M3 from SCCA AS to BSP or SM for next season. >I have a choice of getting 17x9 or 18x9 wheels. I will be running >Kumho's. I realize there is probably no data on 18" Kumho's, >but my question is assuming the wheels are the same width, >would there be any significant advantage to going with the 18" >wheels? Has anyone done that comparison with Hoosiers? > >Chris >97 M3/4 What were you running on your 17" ? Tell us more... In SM I think you can roll/ flare fenders, since you can do just about anything ... BSP for sure, flares are no problem.... This could mean 10s & 12s ! (Even if Tunnell never tried that.) Bob Larson
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#5. Pocket Porting/Port Matching - from Burgess, Kim L
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Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001 04:37:43 -0800 From: "Burgess, Kim L" <kim.l.burgess@boeing.com> Subject: Pocket Porting/Port Matching generated from E36M3 #1762 #1. Re: [E36M3] Valve springs/retainers on '95s Skip - Was there extensive port matching that was accomplished between the head and intake the manifold, in addition to the pocket porting? I have seen little discussion about these mods and my suspicion is that BMW has done a fairly good job on the development of these castings. What sort of gains can be had with the head work and manifold coating stated above? High RPM benefits only for the 3.0L(ECU) not to be realized in the 3.2L(OBII)? Who accomplished the work for you? Thanks Kim Burgess
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#6. Re: [E36M3] brake pad choice - driving schools - from Robert Liu
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Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001 04:48:49 -0800 (PST) From: Robert Liu <bob_a_liu@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] brake pad choice - driving schools Thanks for all the replies regarding track pads! I am now armed with valuable information to go hunting for a good deal. Bob ===== ------------------------------------------------------------ Robert Liu bob_a_liu@yahoo.com ICQ# 22765210 __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Find the one for you at Yahoo! Personals http://personals.yahoo.com
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#7. RE: [E36M3] Suspension Upgrades - from Seth Thomas
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Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001 08:23:28 -0500 From: "Seth Thomas" <porsche993@mindspring.com> Subject: RE: [E36M3] Suspension Upgrades > This is my experience with Bilsteins as well, although with a > different car. > However, I just wanted to note that H&R coilovers are reputed to be butter > smooth, maintaining near stock ride quality. H&R coilovers use Bilstein > shocks. It seems that H&R had bilsteins custom valved. . . in a good way, > although I have no first hand experience with the H&R c/o setup. > > Jeff > 97 M3/4, painfully stock suspended > This is my experience with the coilovers. They are really smooth for what you are getting and you can set the height as low as you want them. They are stiffer than stock but they are not as stiff as H&R's and Bilstiens or the Dinan setup. And one advantage that I have heard with coilovers is that you can maintain the same spring travel as the stock suspension helping to smooth the ride out. Seth Thomas www.m3ltw.com
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#8. Turning in a leased car, how picky are they? - from Jamie Harris
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Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001 05:26:46 -0800 (PST) From: Jamie Harris <emotorwerks@yahoo.com> Subject: Turning in a leased car, how picky are they? I will be turning in a leased 328i soon and I am wondering if anyone can tell me how bad the lease end inspection process really is. The car has been kept up very well and is not over the mileage limit. There are a couple of small dents in it but some of them were in the car from the previous owner. The tires are great and I have replaced all of the brake components and the clutch this year. If someone could let me know what to look out for i'd appreciate it. I am concerned that they might get cranky about those few dents. Thanks, Jamie Harris __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Find the one for you at Yahoo! Personals http://personals.yahoo.com
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#9. Suspension Upgrades cont. - from morris.michael@adlittle.com
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Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001 09:22:29 -0500 From: morris.michael@adlittle.com Subject: Suspension Upgrades cont. Lowell Seaton Wrote: "Based on your description of 20-60 mph city driving and a few long trips, I don't think you don't want Bilstein shocks. You have to really really REALLY love a stiff shocks and then you have to keep telling yourself that;....." "Bilsteins are absurdly stiff. They are serviceable for short commuting trips but they are unnerving on long trips" "Springs come down to how much you really want to lower your M3." FWIW: I recently installed a set of Bilstein's on my M3. I kept the stock springs to keep the ride somewhat "soft" and since if I lowered my car, I would not be able to get into my driveway. I live in the Boston area and have to drive these terrible roads everyday. Compared to my 80K mile original struts, the Bilsteins are like heaven. The car sucks up bigger bumps better, and the spring dampening is much better, especially on the highway, the car doesn't "float" as much. I have already driven really long distances with this set up and I love it 10-fold more than the stock struts. Remember, springs and struts work as a system. The springs will determine your ride height, but more importantly, they have the biggest role in how "stiff" the car rides (basically its ability to take a big 'o bump.) The struts mainly act as a dampener of the springs, both while the springs are being compressed by the initial blow and then afterwards, so that you aren't bouncing up and down for extended periods of time. If anything, the bilsteins struts only improved the ride compared to the OEM's, and the thought of them being too stiff has not even crossed my mind. I have never tried the Koni's so I can not compare. I can only imagine what a set of H&R sport springs would do to this vehicle! Regards, Mike Morris **** This is intended for the addressee only and may contain confidential business information. It may not be copied without our permission. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender as soon as possible and delete the material from any computer.****
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#10. Re: [E36M3] 17" vs 18" Kumho's for AutoX Use - from Chris Teague
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Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001 06:35:16 -0800 From: "Chris Teague" <cteague@home.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] 17" vs 18" Kumho's for AutoX Use Currently I am running 7.5"/8.5" stock wheels with 245/45 Kumho's all the way around. If I go with 17x9's, I will either run the 235/40 new Kumho, the 255/40 old Kumho, or the 255/40 new Kumho when it comes out. Haven't decided yet. I am not ready yet to flare the fenders and put 275/40's on yet! ;-) Chris > What were you running on your 17" ? Tell us more... In SM I think you can > roll/ > flare fenders, since you can do just about anything ... BSP for sure, flares > are no > problem.... This could mean 10s & 12s ! (Even if Tunnell never tried that.) > Bob Larson