M Sport Suspension on E36?

[shoman24v]

I got someone at the dealer to print me out a copy of my cars options and one that confuses me is the M Sport Suspension order number 704. My car is a 328is. What does M Sport Suspension entail? I looked in the ETK and it's called "LOW-SLUNG M SPORTS SUSPENSION"

[GoNz0]

uprated bilstein yellow sport shocks, uprated lowerd springs, M3 solid offcenter control arm bush to change the camber/castor (not sure what one)

i think thats about it ?

[slvrbmw328i]

Basically your car is 1 in lower than a regular 3 series and equivalent to an M. It has a stiffer suspension at a lower stance.

[shoman24v]

But it's not M3 struts?

[GoNz0]

i thought it was kinda a halfway to m suspension isn't it a little lower again on the M's, the geometry isn't the same on the sport as it is the M, according to the TIS if i remember right ?

[norcalbmw]

no it doesnt have m3 struts

[shoman24v]

Any information that explains what this package acutally is?

[GoNz0]

just heavy duty shocks & springs, the m3 shocks have mounts on them for the roll bar, our roll bar bolts to the control arms, the offset bush is for caster i think, helps wide tyres straighten up quick after a corner.

[M52 POWER!]

Yea I have the M susp to, it's okay but I will soon be putting much stiffer components in.

All it changes is the springs are lower, a bit stiffer. The shocks are a little heavier duty aswell. That's it! I drove my friends non sport 328is and turn in was really laggy and the car also rolled MUCH more.

I think it sits .5 inches lower than normal, I get a lot of people asking if my car is lowered :stickoutt

[shoman24v]

Hmm, with my contours you can tell it still sits just a bit too high in the front :rolleyes

[MPowerE30]

I did a VIN check and my car has the M Sport Suspension option. It is an E30, anyone knows how to tell if it indeed has the M suspension, and what changes it does in comparison with a regular E30?

[BimwadM42]

Basically, it's a mildly sportier package. About a half-inch drop, slightly firmer springs and dampers, and thicker anti-sway bars. Same bushings and geometry. Sachs/Boge dampers, not Bilsteins.

[gkoutsis]

Mine has it as well (320 Cabrio 98). It is substantially stiffer to a 3 series without. The roll rate is minimum and feels planted in the corners.

[randywalters]

I did a VIN check and my car has the M Sport Suspension option. It is an E30, anyone knows how to tell if it indeed has the M suspension, and what changes it does in comparison with a regular E30?You're in the wrong forum - you need the E30 forum. But it's possible that your E30 has the M Technic suspension that's common in Europe - consisting of stiffer/lower M Technic springs, stiffer struts and shocks, a larger rear swaybar (14.5mm), and cars with this suspension tend to also have an LSD and 15x7 ET24 Basketweaves with 205/55-15 tires. Looking at the small sig pic of your E30, it appears that you do have these lower springs and larger wheels. The US-spec E30 325is with the regular Sport suspension sits considerably higher than your car does.

[randywalters]

Hmm, with my contours you can tell it still sits just a bit too high in the front :rolleyesI'm a little confused - you say your car has the M Sport Suspension option, but your sig says you have a 99 M3 suspension. Which suspension setup do you have, and is it the same one as shown in your sig picture? I think your ride height is just right, but then again i've never been a fan of excessively lowered cars (and the handling problems that come with it). So which suspension do you have in that pic? I'm about to put a set of non-staggered M Contours on my regular 328is and i'm hoping my front wheel gap isn't too much. Yours looks good to me, but i know mine will be more :(



Any information that explains what this package acutally is?The Sport Package gives you:

Stiffer/lower springs
Stiffer struts/shocks
Larger swaybars
16x7.5" twin-spoke wheels with 225/50-16s
Bolstered Sport Seats with adjustable knee support

[Eryan36]

M suspension > sport pkg suspension > regular 3 suspension.

[shoman24v]

I recently put M3 suspension on my car :)

[old skool]

M3 suspension involves a LOT of parts. I know, because I bought all of them. ;)

Sports suspension is a good factory upgrade from the normal suspension. The ride height is close to a stock M3, however, obviously, the ride is not as good.

M3 geometry requires the front knuckle/king pin, the rear trailing arm, the appropriate bushings, M3 strut top bearings, M3 shocks, M3 sway bar links, M3 front lower control arms. Of course it depends on which M3 suspension you are going for: 95 and below or 96 and above. Also the rear subframe technically has a different part number, though I have never found anyone who could tell the difference. The body of the M3 is reinforced at the rear subframe mounting locations. The sway bar sizing is also different. The newer M3s front subframe is usually pre-tapped for an x-brace.