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Thread: Help with E36 M3 suspension choices

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
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    seattle, WA
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    1978 euro 635csi

    Help with E36 M3 suspension choices

    This car is my daily driver for work commuting. No racing, no tracking, just fun city driving with short sections on the freeway. The roads here are very poor. I had an e36 328is with sport suspension, and that was perfect. My son wanted the e36 328is and i had an e36 m3 20 years ago and loved it, so i sold my son the 328is and bought an e36 M3.

    The e36 was slammed when i got it, I had the springs replaced with H&R, they were supposed to be close to stock, but the ride is still too stiff and violent on these really poor streets. So before i go find myself another e36 328 sport, i just wanted to check, are there any "softer" suspension packages that would make my e36 M3 ride like my 328i sport?

    I've looked and searched a bit, but everyone seems to want to go the other way (lower / stiffer). I realize there may not be a solution, other than getting a 328i sport. I like the sharp looks of the m3 body additions and the better trans, which is why i'd like to find a solution for the M3.

    Thanks in advance.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
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    99 M3
    H&R OE Sport Spring are a pretty good compromise when paired w/Koni Sport Shocks. Very modest lowering, OE (or softer) ride comfort.

    328 and M3 were fit w/same ZF S5D 320Z 5-speed transmission.
    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZF_S5-31_transmission


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  3. #3
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by bluptgm3 View Post
    H&R OE Sport Spring are a pretty good compromise when paired w/Koni Sport Shocks. Very modest lowering, OE (or softer) ride comfort.
    H&R OE Sport Spring are what i had put on there. If i push down on the fender by the headlight with one hand, it can barely make the car move. Maybe 1cm. If i push down on the 328i sport with one hand on the fender by the headlight, it moves easier and moves about 1.5 inches. That give, that the 328i sport has, goes over all the potholes and washboard very smoothly in my area. Is it possibly the sway bar difference? Is the sway bar adjustable?

    Quote Originally Posted by bluptgm3 View Post
    328 and M3 were fit w/same ZF S5D 320Z 5-speed transmission.
    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZF_S5-31_transmission
    Talking automatics:
    ZF 5HP18 vs GM 4L30-E
    5 speed auto vs 4 speed auto

    And before we get into the "manual" vs. "auto": I was hit by a car on my motorcycle and have had reconstructive surgery on my left knee twice now. I do prefer a stick when driving for fun, but for my daily commute in the stop and go, my knee says "auto please".
    Last edited by tandersn; 05-16-2019 at 10:36 PM.

  4. #4
    Join Date
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    99 M3
    It is possible the ‘jounce’ test is being resisted by shock/strut dampening, M3 vs 328.


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  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    los angeles,ca
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    134
    My Cars
    1999 m3 coupe
    have you looked at fat cat motorsports ?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
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    Peoria, AZ
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    03 zhp, 97 e36m3, 04 zhp
    Sounds like you are prime candidate for refreshed OEM stuff, stock springs with stock dampers.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Portugal
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    '95 E36
    Quote Originally Posted by Mless5 View Post
    Sounds like you are prime candidate for refreshed OEM stuff, stock springs with stock dampers.
    ^This. OEM M3 suspension should be similar to the 328i sport one.
    '95 E36 318tdS:
    Bilstein Sport shocks; x-brace; H&R front sway bar; camber shims; M3 offset LCABs; Meyle HD LCAs; Z3 RSM reinforcement plates; ZHP shift knob.


  8. #8
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    99 M3
    You could probably run H&R OE Sports with OEM Sachs Struts and Shocks.


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  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    bay area
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    412
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    95 m3
    In the same boat. anyone have opinions on kw v1 or st coilovers. found a deal on a site for basically half off.$500 if its good maybe op can benifit from this too?
    Last edited by shermanator; 08-28-2019 at 02:17 AM.

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