[larryn]

They fit, but i think there may be rubbing going around cones. I'll try it for a few runs to test it out.

In the back, there's probably room for 315's. I may run fatter than 275's later in the season, after these 275's are shot. Even with 275's there's room for a 10-12mm spacer and close to 2" on the back side, to the springs. Once I drop it this weekend, I'll see exactly what I can do for spacers.

[Thavee]

This is interesting. I am about to get a set too. From all's driving experiences, what is the e90 steering nature? Under or Over? (Standard tires and wheels) Let say 325i and 330i not for 320i.
325 and 330 have got heavier engines at the front though.

[HRC]

Originally Posted by Thavee

This is interesting. I am about to get a set too. From all's driving experiences, what is the e90 steering nature? Under or Over? (Standard tires and wheels) Let say 325i and 330i not for 320i.
325 and 330 have got heavier engines at the front though.

Understeer. They all come with understeer engineered in, for safety's sake.

Danny

[larryn]

Originally Posted by HRC

Understeer. They all come with understeer engineered in, for safety's sake.

Danny

I agree, but very slightly. It's more neutral, in my opinion. Sure, any idiot can make a car push, if they are going too fast into a corner. However, it's pretty easy to get the back end around (and control it), with the electronic nannies turned off.

I get a kick out of some of the novice autoxers that I've instructed talking about "man, my car has incredible understeer ". 99% of those people overdrove the car into an element, and paid for it by lack of steering response. I can recall myself making those same comments, years ago.

By the way, if you're understeering, turning in further to the steering lock doesn't help at all.

[ward]

the E90's far less neutral than my Z4

[HRC]

Originally Posted by lni

...By the way, if you're understeering, turning in further to the steering lock doesn't help at all.

Yes, you need to scrub some speed and unlock that steering wheel...

Danny

[larryn]

Originally Posted by ward

the E90's far less neutral than my Z4

I attribute it to being lighter and lhaving ower center of gravity, but the Z4 is a very tossable car, but is similarly predictable, driving at 8/10ths and above.

[solo2]

Larry?? Is that you??

Yours was the only one I had driven. It must be even better now that it has different springs in it!

I forgot to ask during the weekend.. Did you change the shocks too? I wouldn't run the H&R's without changing the shocks.

Hank

[Hunter399]

I asked my local bmw shop about intalling the sway bars


They said it would be VERY expensive because of the location of them

[ksfrogman]

Originally Posted by hunter399

I asked my local bmw shop about intalling the sway bars


They said it would be VERY expensive because of the location of them

The front sway bar was very easy to install. The rear one took 3-4 hours and ended up costing me $450 in labor.

[Hunter399]

DAMN!
Can you really tell a difference

[ksfrogman]

Originally Posted by hunter399

DAMN!
Can you really tell a difference

The H&R rear bar is so much fatter than the stock one. When only the front one was installed, the car plowed with quick U-turns after braking and quickly accelerating. The addition of the rear bar to complete the set made the biggest difference. Here's the thread with photos:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...light=SWay+bar

[Hunter399]

So with the swaybars and install, it is about 1k.....I ordered the coilovers first and will order the sway bars later

[HRC]

Originally Posted by hunter399

So with the swaybars and install, it is about 1k.....I ordered the coilovers first and will order the sway bars later

Just get the rear bar, that's what I want to do...

Danny

[solo2]

Danny, do you understand that you will be removing grip from the rear of the car this way? Why would you do that instead of adding grip to the front to get rid of understeer?

Hank

[HRC]

I have done the rear bar-only upgrade in all my previous cars with outstanding results, but they were all FWD. Is this not the case with my e90?

Danny

Originally Posted by solo2

Danny, do you understand that you will be removing grip from the rear of the car this way? Why would you do that instead of adding grip to the front to get rid of understeer?

Hank

[solo2]

A rear bar ONLY change is appropriate with a FWD car, but IMO not with a RWD car. You don't want to take grip away from the drive wheels. You can remove a great deal of the understeer from a BMW by changing alignment and adding some negative camber.

There's a number of variables to consider, but here is the list of changes I would make in priority order:

1. Alignment: The biggest performance mod for the least amount of money. Reduce the front toe to 0 (or just a touch toe out if you don't want the car to follow lines in the road) and rear toe to 1/8" (or less) to reduce understeer.

1. Tires: Adding grip will have the most impact on turn-in and reduce understeer.

2. Camber: Adjustable or fixed camber plates will reduce the positive camber affect during cornering. Take a picture of your car during a right hand turn and look at the front left wheel. As the car leans, the camber goes positive and the tire looses grip. This is a large cause of understeer.

3. Shocks: Adjustable if you can afford it. The stock shocks were not made to handle stiff springs.

4. Springs and/or swaybars: Reduce the body roll! Even with a HUGE front swaybar, I can make the car neutral or slightly oversteer with the right alignment/camber/etc.

Hank

[y789]

Hank;

I am new to this and have some basic questions about your comments. BTW, I have a 325 non-sport.

Originally Posted by solo2

A rear bar ONLY change is appropriate with a FWD car, but IMO not with a RWD car. You don't want to take grip away from the drive wheels. You can remove a great deal of the understeer from a BMW by changing alignment and adding some negative camber.

There's a number of variables to consider, but here is the list of changes I would make in priority order:

1. Alignment: The biggest performance mod for the least amount of money. Reduce the front toe to 0 (or just a touch toe out if you don't want the car to follow lines in the road) and rear toe to 1/8" (or less) to reduce understeer.

*** is this different from regular wheel alighment? what is a toe?

1. Tires: Adding grip will have the most impact on turn-in and reduce understeer.

*** 159, 17" tires have good size, what are the best tires to consider?

2. Camber: Adjustable or fixed camber plates will reduce the positive camber affect during cornering. Take a picture of your car during a right hand turn and look at the front left wheel. As the car leans, the camber goes positive and the tire looses grip. This is a large cause of understeer.

*** What are cambers? where do I find those?

3. Shocks: Adjustable if you can afford it. The stock shocks were not made to handle stiff springs.

*** I think those are ones offered by the like of H&R

4. Springs and/or swaybars: Reduce the body roll! Even with a HUGE front swaybar, I can make the car neutral or slightly oversteer with the right alignment/camber/etc.


*** do shocks and springs go hand-in-hand when replaces? what swaybars are available and how to decide which is best for you?


Hank

As I said; just basic simple questions ;-)

[ksfrogman]

It's been about a month or so now since I've had the H&R sport springs and sway bar set installed. Unlike other cars I have changed the suspensions on, the 330 ride is quite smooth. I still feel like I'm driving a luxury sedan.

With the springs, the biggest change I appreciate is the sleeker look.

With the sway bars, I notice the biggest difference when I'm driving in my suburban residential tract home neighborhood at 25 mph, and turn a 90 degree turn without stepping on the brakes or slowing down much at all. The car remains almost flat in these turns. Makes the car such a joy to drive around town without even pushing it to the limit.

[HRC]

Yes, I really enjoyed the difference my rear bars have made on all my cars. Like you say, you dont have to be pushing the car at the limits to enjoy the benefits of bar upgrades. I really want one for my car. Flame suit on!


Danny