differences between parts and best setup questions

[mk1nurburg]

hi all, i currently have a 316i touring as my daily runner (its cheap to run while im back at college) but want to upgrade a few things to have some sideways fun. im looking to run a 318is engine in the future but want to sort the braking/ handling before the transplant. i know the tourings run the larger size strut inserts already so:
1. whats the better stock suspension to run..... obviously upgrading the dampers/ springs etc but is there any differences between the wishbones, rollbars, trailing arms etc on the different models?
2. im aiming for a set of h&r springs all round with uprated inserts, can anyone recommend good inserts???
3. what setups do other people run heightwise and part wise.
4. what about braking... does the 325 use larger disks/ callipers etc, is there a preferred setup on here???


sorry for all the questions but i dont want to start buying polybushes etc only to find it'd be better to upgrade to different trailing arms for example which the polybushes wont then fit.

thanks in advance.
pauly

[Brianmoooore]

316 touring comes with all the best standard suspension/brake parts already fitted, apart from M3 stuff.
The M3 control arm rear bushes are worth fitting.
Leave the poly bushes to the Saxo/Corsa brigade.

[Rav335uk]

Not stalking here but why leave the poly bushes to the saxo/corsa boys??
I've just polybushed all mine on my cab m30

[stonesie]

As i understand it the E30 suspension is designed to have some flex in it (granted, not as much as 20 year old bushes will have) so fitting vertually solid polybushes will make it too solid and reduce the available grip. Good for the drift squad, but bad news for greasy winter roundabouts on normal roads with a normal driver.

[Rav335uk]

OH BOLLOCKS, thats me totally f#cked then on my open diff

[stonesie]

Im no expert on suspension set-up thats just what i gather from what i have read

If im wrong then one of the experts will put me right (only way i will learn )

[Rav335uk]

Well most of my bushes were gone as i haven't replaced them inyears, so saw the opp to have them uograded the same time as my conversion.

[Brianmoooore]

Replacing the bushes with new OE from BMW is upgrading them - back to the spec that BMW designers, after spending millions of Deutschmarks on R & D, decided they should be.
The two 'upgrades' that you should do to the bushes are fitting E30 M3 front control arm bushes, and E46 cab. rear damper top mounts.

[Rav335uk]

Oops ,But really, are they that bad?????

[Chase007]

Replacing the bushes with new OE from BMW is upgrading them - back to the spec that BMW designers, after spending millions of Deutschmarks on R & D, decided they should be.
The two 'upgrades' that you should do to the bushes are fitting E30 M3 front control arm bushes, and E46 cab. rear damper top mounts.

Hello Brianmoooore or anyone in the know can you please tell me what is the suspect part need replacing when hearing a rattle from the front wheel/suspension (just driver side) when you hit a bump it rattles Cheers

[Rav335uk]

Probably bottom ball joint mate

[Chase007]

Probably bottom ball joint mate

Do you mean the ball joint from the wish bone to the front axle support? Cheers

[Rav335uk]

Yes, you'll need to jack it up or get it on a ramp

[Chase007]

Yes, you'll need to jack it up or get it on a ramp

Yeah i going to get up in the air 2moro cheres mate

[stonesie]

It could also be the anti roll bar link, the ball joints should have absolutly NO play in them.

[mk1nurburg]

excellent, cheers guys!!!

thanks for all your replies!!
pauly

[fuzzy]

i wouldnt put poly bushes on an everyday runaround. to harsh.

[BadDave]

i wouldnt put poly bushes on an everyday runaround. to harsh.

I have the eccentric poly wishbone ones on the tourer and it's fine with the coilovers and 350Lb/in springs on the lowly 4 pot mate

When the 6 pot goes in, i'll swap to 450Lb/in fronts