Your opinions please.

[jmc330i]

Hi people, Im after your thoughts, feelings, opinions and guidance.

Time has come to spend more money on the Sport - it will be running soon
Anyway, before I get it on the road I really need to uprate the brakes and suspension, so Ive been thinking about the options - this does also include wheel choice. Ive basically decided that I have 4 options....

Opiton 1.
Gor for a full E30 M3 setup. Will probably go for uprated springs and shocks anyway, but it would give me larger brakes than the 325i plus its 5 stud so I can get the 16" BBS
The advantage of this is that I can run the M3 15" BBS (or other 5stud 15s) in winter and crappy weather and keep a set of 16" BBS looking nice.

Option 2.
Uprate the 325i Sport suspension (H&R Cup Kit), big brake kit of some sort that will fit under 16s and then get 7.5x16 fronts and 9x16 rears.
Im thinking either CR7s (crappy photochop alert!)...



Or Brock B1s....


I really like the CR7s but I think the B1s look better. Only disadvantage I can see here is having to buy a big brake kit, which aint cheap

Option 3.
As Option 1, but get CR7s or B1s in 5 stud

Option4.
Something I havent thought of, but Im sure some of you will have a few ideas


Im totally stuck as to which way to go, so Im open to all sugestions. So if anyone can think of an advantage or disadvantage to any of the options that I havent, speak up - like I said Im stuck.

Cheers

[bootyman]

I'd get some coil-overs, and a big brake conversion. You can have both for just over a Ԛ£grand. An M3 suspension will cost you a grand on it's own and you'll still have to buy some brakes

[OllieB]

I'd stay with the 325i setup and go for the first wheels, they look taste...

[stevetigger]

brock B1's

[jmc330i]

I'd get some coil-overs, and a big brake conversion. You can have both for just over a Ԛ£grand.

I did think about coilovers, but Ive not seen many for less than Ԛ£700 - maybe I could get a GC kit over from the States, that would keep the cost down a little.
And BBKs arent cheap, the Wilwoods are going to be atleast Ԛ£500 once the extra bits are bought.

An M3 suspension will cost you a grand on it's own and you'll still have to buy some brakes

To be able to use 16" wheels Im restricted to the 280-285mm BBKs, by using the M3 setup Im getting 280mm discs anyway that will fit the 15" BBS (and 16") plus a larger rear set up.

[jonb]

jmc

you not done yet?

[Simon13]

I'd go for the E30 M3 setup.

it opens the door to massive brake and wheel options with this setup. plus normal e30 suspension kits fit. Suddenly wheels off 3,5,6,7,8 series of various ages can be fitted. Plus there are bigger brakes from other bmw's u can fit aswell. Which could help keep the costs down

And u get better handling with the wider track with the M3 setup.

U don't want coilovers on a road car if u ask me. Theres plenty of stuff out there which will give a good stab at both

[Karan]

m3 setup is the way forward if u wanna do things properly as well as opening up ure options for the future with regards to better suspensin AND brakes....

[Simon]

M3 setup is the way forward!

Coilovers are a big no no on a road car, being driven on our bumpy roads every day, and you'll soon have problems with chassis cracking etc.

[Dan318-is]

M3 setup is the way forward!

Coilovers are a big no no on a road car, being driven on our bumpy roads every day, and you'll soon have problems with chassis cracking etc.

O/T but how do chassis crack? Is this on any car?

[Simon]

M3 setup is the way forward!

Coilovers are a big no no on a road car, being driven on our bumpy roads every day, and you'll soon have problems with chassis cracking etc.

O/T but how do chassis crack? Is this on any car?

You'll find that cars that are used for track work regular, especially using coilovers, that there will be flexing or cracking around the load bearing areas, especially around the front suspension turret, can happen on any car, and is made worse by stiff suspension, and when the car is being worked hard!

[Simon13]

uprated roll bars have been heard to rip off from the car too!

[Dan318-is]

chrikey! never new that, interesting!

[Simon]

uprated roll bars have been heard to rip off from the car too!

Happens regular on M3's used on track, even standard ones..

[Karan]

M3 setup is the way forward!

Coilovers are a big no no on a road car, being driven on our bumpy roads every day, and you'll soon have problems with chassis cracking etc.

O/T but how do chassis crack? Is this on any car?

You'll find that cars that are used for track work regular, especially using coilovers, that there will be flexing or cracking around the load bearing areas, especially around the front suspension turret, can happen on any car, and is made worse by stiff suspension, and when the car is being worked hard!

this is dependant on spring rates/bushes used.;.... only answer is proper chassis prep like seam welding or at least some sort of roll cage

[jmc330i]

OK, Ive officially been put off coilovers

Thanks for the replies guys, definitely helping make my mind up

Sounds like I could be about to start looking for an M3 setup then - might have to wait for pay day though
I guess its the sensible option really, I mean if I get everything, I can rebuild it all with new bushes etc before it gets anywhere near the car and then it should just be a bolt on job. That would also give me time to source (and find the money for) some 16" BBS

And Im sure Ive seen the Brock B1s on an E36, so they must be available in 5 stud

[bootyman]

The cracking is dependent on how you drive your car. If you go hearing around all the time, then you can get the cracking even without coil-overs (I know cause it's happened to me before)

You can get the Brock B1's in 4 stud fitment too. I use to have a set on my M3 and on my Mtech2 cab

[M5pilot]

Dont be put off by coilovers just because of the cracking issues - these cars suffer from it as said above.

m3 setup with H&R/Whiteline ARb's Id say with GAZ coilovers. Money well spent.

[jmc330i]

You can get the Brock B1's in 4 stud fitment too. I use to have a set on my M3 and on my Mtech2 cab

I nearly bought a set of 4 stud Brock B1s last weekend, but they were all 7.5x16 - I would want the rears to be 9x16
Im sure Id seen them in 5 stud before and if you had them on your M3, thats good news

Ive had a think and I reckon the M3 setup is the way to go. Like has been said it seems a better choice in regards to upgrades in the future - suspension, brakes, wheels etc, plus I have the advantage of knowing its a good setup in standard form.

Dont be put off by coilovers just because of the cracking issues - these cars suffer from it as said above.

It must depend on how stiff the suspension is, any kit that gives a hard ride would cause cracking if driven hard I guess.

Have you got a link or any info on the Whiteline ARBs? Ive seen them for most Jap stuff, but not for the M3.