New member, stupid questions. Answers gratefully received!

[Benny_Boy]

Hello.

I own a Dolphin Grey 325I Sport on an '89 F. I have recently fitted a complete Scorpion exhaust, an induction kit, a FSE Poewer Boost Valve and an Ecotek valve.

Having driven the car only briefly since these mods I am pleased to say that there is a definite improvement in mid range torque, however it still handles like a dog.

I'm after advice to improve the handling as I'd like to do a couple of track days this summer if I can. I was thinking maybe lower it about 20 mm as I still need to use it on the roads.

I'd like to know what's the best way to lower and stiffen it for a reasonable price and also if it's worth sorting out the bushes to Power Flex. Maybe strut braces make a big difference to these?

Is the geometry on the M3 different? Mine seems to be so unpredictable and I have no confidence to really lean on it in the corners.

Any advice gratefully received!

[jamie325isport]

I used the Bilstein streetline kit (i think), it comes with springs (Ventura) alot of people on here dont like them but i think there a major improvement and the car is really stiff now, but not to low only 10 - 20mm drop on standard. I also fitted a strut brace, front feels really nice now. Hope that helps.

[Benny_Boy]

Cheers mate. Having not seen these, roughly what does the kit cost?

[astondg]

I am not sure about what springs are the best. 20mm sounds ok to me for what you are after. There have been a couple of threads about this recently, one about Hartage suspension where people said that M-Tech springs are good.

I think people like the Bilstein dampers, although I have Koni adjustable and they seem ok to me.

The M3 does have different geometry and I think most people agree that M3 front bushes are they way to go. I have M3 type bushes on mine and it handles fairly well, although I never drove it much without them so I can't compare.

I have a strut brace but I didn't notice any difference when I put it on. That was a little unexpected because the E30 seems to have a bit of body flex, at least to me.

Anyway I have a 1985 323i with 1" lower King Springs (Australian), Koni adjustable dampers, M3 type polyurethane bushes, front strut brace, 16" wheels and 205/50/16 tyres. Mine seems to handle ok although it might be a bit stiff to be a completely comfortable road car for some people. I have no problems with it so it really depends on what you want. I also race on a dirt circuit 8 or more times a year and go to track days whenever I can, usually 1 a month. I have been doing both of these since the end of 2003. I have no problems on either surface and it seems to keep up with a lot of cars.

One last thing, The outside edge of front left tyre on my car wears considerably quicker than the others when I go racing or to track days (which is on average 1 or 2 times a month I suppose). So I have just got a set of front camber and castor adjustment plates and some rear camber and toe adjustment trailing arm bushes that I will get fitted this Wednesday. I'll get some more camber on the front and post on the Zone about how it goes.

Aston

[Benny_Boy]

Thanks for that mate. Let me know how that goes! I really like the car but after coming from Hot Hatches I want to make it go round corners properly, and more importantly, predictably!

[jamie325isport]

I was wrong mine is the sprintline kit, did a quick search came up with these http://www.europerformance.co.uk/pages/ ... pn&start=0

Cant see the kit i got, mines the mtech one with springs included shouldnt be to hard to find. Theres plenty of springs on there to choose from.

[Benny_Boy]

Thanks for that Jamie, sorry I've not replied sooner but haven't been able to get on line for a while. I've had a quick look at the link you sent and it looks like what I'm after. Nothing too expensive but should do the job.

I read in Practical Performance Car this month that the geometry at the front of the M3 is completely different apparently. No idea if anyone has tried to change a 325 Sport to the same geometry and if it's even worth doing cost wise.

Being a bit backward with a spanner I'll probably end up getting it done by somebody else and was wondering if whilst they've got it all stripped down it's worth doing anything else at the same time?