e30 m3 suspension setup

[adil325i]

hello guys,

im going to have to replace the wishbones on my m3 in the near future, so was thinking to uprate all the bits that make the car handle better at the same time. has anyone here got any information on what is best for the m3? for example, i dont know if it has eccentric bushes on the wishbones, but if not, is it worth doing? also, all that poly bushes talk, what were the best ones? im thinking to change the ARB too - which is obviously worth it, but im not really the track going type, so does it compromise ride quality?

so once again, how can i make my e30 m3 handle like a dream again? at the mo she goes with the road, and is a bit of a handful.

cheers people,

adil

[adil325i]

come on guys, or has noone changed their m3s wishbones?

[Brianmoooore]

Just make sure you're sitting down when they tell you the price of the ally wishbones.
Replace all the rubber bits in the suspension with OE bits, front and rear. Check all other joints for wear, along with the dampers, and your suspension should be as new.

[Dan318-is]

is m3 running gear better than newer stuff like bilstein n koni?

is the only benefit the larger wheel bearing & five lug?

[jaistanley]

On the rear you are paying for a larger disk, slightly wider track (I think) and not much else, it's the front end that offers the real improvements.

The struts give bigger wheel bearings, bigger disks, more castor, 'quick release' struts (strut snd lower hub come apart so bye bye ball joint splitters when changing dampers), and most importantly the arb is mounted to the strut, not the wishbone giving more feedback and greater action on the strut.

If I were upgrading the M3 I'd fit eccentric poly bushes, poly ARB bushes (front), bilstein upside down shocks and if you're feeling very flush, a set of ally front wishbones. I also found the rear subframe bushes much better in polyurathane but makes the car a lot more noisey and a touch more skittish on rear.

Leave the std M3 springs in place if the ride height suits you, lowering won't yeild many rewards. If you want to go lower, use progressive springs for the road.

I have fitted these (minus ally wishbones and front dampers till funds allow) to my 318is and rate them highly (full M3 running gear plus upgrades). A friend with an M3 has fitted all new std bushes, new droplinks and bilstein dampers. The car handles superbly and is lovely to drive everyday. I'd replace all rubber with new and replace dampers with Billies.

Jai

[Fushion_Julz]

for road use, or even casual track days, ally wishbones will make no difference over steel...other than to your wallet!

They save on weight, really, is all...

If you're looking for an upgrade to your suspension, then you can either uprate the standard setup or, if you are spending a bit more, go for coilovers.

Standard is probably one of the best for pure road use... uprated: something like Eibach or Faulkner springs with Bilstein or Koni (or Spax) dampers...change the ARBs, too...Poly bushes all round and eccentric front bushes.

[Demlotcrew]

ally are well worth the money, the joints are much stronger than the steel ones and you will notice them on the car.

Andrew

[Simon]

ally are well worth the money, the joints are much stronger than the steel ones and you will notice them on the car.

Andrew

Do you mean the balljoints?

I remember a thread about this on S14.net, and the final outcome of the argument that the only difference was the weight, and that the balljoints were identical.

[Demlotcrew]

Yes the ball joints, i can tell you now that the ball joints on a ally arm are no where near being the same as the stock Steel ones, for a start they are heat treated and smaller in size, there is also a few other bits which make them better.

Andrew

[adil325i]

cheers for the input guys - some good information there.

in regards to ARB upgrade - is there a significant difference? looked on the zone shop and theres a choice between eibach and H&R, any recommendations?

now the decision between fitting ally wishbones and steel - i love my m3, and will spend x amount on her, however, i could spend the money i save on the wishbones to invest in other upgrades? im not too keen on that idea though - im a firm believer in "do it properly, or not at all". waited 4 weeks for an original windscreen to come through from dealers at twice the price my local windscreen guy charges for his replacement crap. i really hated that tint at the top...

i guess with all the obstacles on uk road nowadays, (occasional pothole or high curb - saw a brick in the road recently!), it may not be worth buying the ally arms. hate making these decisions.

any other views on this?

cheers,

adil

ps, someone want to hit me with the good news of how much the wishbones cost? paid round Ԛ£300 each on my old e36 m3 about 6 months ago. couldnt be far off that could they?

[jaistanley]

Think they are about 200 a side.. Don't quote me though.

Jai

[adil325i]

any views on the ARB upgrade and improvements/limitations?

[CaesarBob]

The wishbones for my 318iS were quoted as Ԛ£350 for a pair from the $tealers so i'd hate to think what they charge for ally M3 ones.

Don't forget you'll be needing the donut bush for mounting the rear of the wishbone.