e36M3 vs 135i vs e46m3?

[bmw13]

suspension wise stock, how would one compare a m sport or sport package e82 suspension to maybe an e36 m3 or e46 m3.

How would our cars hold up on the track against these two?

in a comparison of the 335i vs 135i vs e46 m3

they state the 135i is right in the middle of the softer 335i and more harsh e46 m3

i only had my e46 for 8 months before totaling and i was sixteen so i really didn't have too much 'real' experience under my belt, so i dont have that much of an idea of how different my e82 varies suspension wise from the e46 m3.

please share your thoughts....

[GaryS]

Originally Posted by bmw13

they state the 135i is right in the middle of the softer 335i and more harsh e46 m3

It looks to me like the 335i they tested didn't have the Sport package suspension/wheels/tires. That's a pretty misleading comparison in my opinion. 2008-2010 135i Sport suspension is soft.

[BrokenVert]

E36>E46>E82 that's how I'd rank the suspensions. The 1 is a very compromised car because BMW realized that if they made a car that actually handled at this price pointyhat people wouldn't buy it because it was too firm

[adrean8j]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

E36>E46>E82 that's how I'd rank the suspensions. The 1 is a very compromised car because BMW realized that if they made a car that actually handled at this price pointyhat people wouldn't buy it because it was too firm

If you are going by stock suspensions and "track" usage with those suspensions then above is how I would rate it. If you are rating straight up street use then I would go:

E82>E46>E36

Do you plan on purchasing the car for track use?

[bmw13]

i am just curious if our 1er would keep up with with the older m's around the track, i just am trying to grasp on how good ro bad our suspension is

[bmw13]

Originally Posted by GaryS

It looks to me like the 335i they tested didn't have the Sport package suspension/wheels/tires. That's a pretty misleading comparison in my opinion. 2008-2010 135i Sport suspension is soft.

the 335i indeed does have a sport package, my roommate had the same car before getting a used m5

[GaryS]

Originally Posted by bmw13

the 335i indeed does have a sport package, my roommate had the same car before getting a used m5

Yes, a Sport package is available for 335i. But it was not on the car that Edmunds tested in the comparison you're talking about.

http://www.insideline.com/bmw/m3/200...-bmw-335i.html

[adrean8j]

^^^I am pretty sure the sport package does NOT include suspension upgrades and it is the same suspension across the the line.

Anyway yes the E82 135i can keep up with an E46 M3 on the track, BUT it will take a bit more work due to the softer suspension and propensity for understeer.

[GaryS]

Originally Posted by adrean8j

^^^I am pretty sure the sport package does NOT include suspension upgrades and it is the same suspension across the the line

I'm too lazy to do the calculations but BMW says the 335i Performance springs are 34% stiffer than 335i Sport springs but 48% stiffer than base model 335i springs, and 10mm lower than 335i Sport springs but 25mm lower than base model 335i springs.

[bmw13]

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=406615

[NFIDDY5]

Being that I never drove an E36 I really shouldn't respond, but I owned an E46 M3 for about 3 years before trading it in for a 2011 135i. I would rate them E36<135i<E46....but I never drove the car on a stock suspension. It was immediately sitting on TEIN Super Street coilovers the moment I got the keys. The M3 that is. TEIN doesn't make a coilover system for the 135i sadly.

[NFIDDY5]

Originally Posted by bmw13

i am just curious if our 1er would keep up with with the older m's around the track, i just am trying to grasp on how good ro bad our suspension is

I think it would hold its own against the E46 and probably put away the E36 if we are talking stock. But its almost unfair considering the age and technological advances over the past 12 years.

[bmw13]

Originally Posted by NFIDDY5

I think it would hold its own against the E46 and probably put away the E36 if we are talking stock. But its almost unfair considering the age and technological advances over the past 12 years.

i agree with you somewhat on the age thing, but that shouldn't matter as much, ///m's are that good stock, the 135i is obviously smoother and such due to technology advantages, like you said with age. but with that said that is where the fairness comes into the play the newer softer 1 vs. the more stiff, track intent older ///m cars.

my point of this is to shed the names and badges, and flair of these two very different cars, m vs non m. and i want to see how close in handling performance they really are... i wish i new how to drive my e46 when i had it... i probably would have a lot more input. i speak from a consumer with common sense perspective, i am not professional obviously just trying to get an idea and a better understanding from the guys who are.

[NFIDDY5]

I would still give the edge to the M3. Given its prestige and racing heritage, it would be my pick over the 135i.

[roo97ss]

Well, i've only put about 900 miles on my 135....but

the e36 was a slightly better handler than my e46 m cars.

They both will outhandle the 135 at the track, but the 1 is sooooo much better over the road than the other 2.

honestly if you're going to track any of these cars aftermarket suspensions are in order. For a daily driver the balance for the 1 is just about right. However, at some point i'll probably end up tightening the 1 up as well.