[jalkster]

I took my F30 340i in yesterday to Texas Track Works for a corner balance appointment and figured I would share my experience.

Overall, very pleased with these guys, they really know their stuff. They specialize in BMW's and more specifically BMW racing suspension, although they do plenty of other cars.

My Specs:
Only suspension mod I have currently is a set of BC Racing coilovers. F80 control arms and sway bars soon.


Driver weight: 160 lbs.

Tire pressure: 32 (front), 35 (rear)

Vehicle weight (with driver): 3781 lbs.

LF: 995, RF: 977, LR: 913, RR: 896

Cross weight: 50.0%, Left: 50.5%, Right: 49.5%, Front: 52.2%, Rear: 47.8%

Initial Impressions:
The car immediately felt different (I had been running the coils non balanced for 3500ish miles) and had more of an oem feel. It transfers weight beautifully through corners and turns, as it should, and I feel as I have even more accurate placement in turns. So far this is only based on 70 or so miles of driving, but hoping to get it on a circuit soon!

[NWest]

I've had a similar experience with my corner balancing after installing Bilstein B14 coilovers.

Although I went from stock (X-Drive non-M) suspension to coilovers and corner balancing, I couldn't tell you the transformation just one of these changes made, but I did notice a big change in driving dynamics, eliminating float, and how the car approached/exited turns. I could do sways to complete the package, but I don't track the car, and this feels right for my daily driving needs.

I'm still happy how the ride feels after 7K mi, and out of all the mods I've made, the coilovers/corner balancing is the biggest improvement made to the car IMO.

My Specs:

Driver Weight: 170 lbs.

Tire Pressure: 32 (front), 35 (rear)

Ride Height: 24.25 (all 4 corners)

Fuel Load: 100%

Vehicle Weight (with driver): 3,945

LF: 1,042, RF: 1,016, LR: 945, RR: 942

Cross Weight: 50%, Left: 50.2%, Right: 49.8%, Front: 52.3%, Rear: 47.7%

[DVC]

I've been considering a proper corner balance...I'm on Ohllins R&T coil overs, and have been contemplating whether I should play with ride heights and corner weights. I did a quick check on the scales after getting the Ohlins installed, and the cross weight numbers were almost prefect, so at the time I didn't bother with it.

Measuring from my fenders to the ground, it looks like my front fender gap is about 3/8" greater than the rear. I've been meaning to lower the front to even it out, but thought I should check the rake first. Do you guys know if your shops checked the actual chassis rake as part of the corner balance?

[jalkster]

Originally Posted by DVC

I've been considering a proper corner balance...I'm on Ohllins R&T coil overs, and have been contemplating whether I should play with ride heights and corner weights. I did a quick check on the scales after getting the Ohlins installed, and the cross weight numbers were almost prefect, so set the time I didn't bother with it.

Measuring from my fenders to the ground, it looks like my front fender gap is about 3/8" greater than the rear. I've been meaning to lower the front to even it out, but thought I should check the rake first. Do you guys know if your shops checked the actual chassis rake as part of the corner balance?

I had certain ride heights I wanted (specifically raise front end 1/4") so they didnt do rake adjustments.

[NWest]

I asked my shop (Cantrell Motorsports) to set this up as a daily driver and to find the right ride height based on their experience. We didn't talk about rake adjustment, mine is level on all 4 corners.

[DVC]

I have an appt for a corner balance next Thursday... Planning to check rake, probably lower the front about 3/8", then balance corner weights as needed. I'll follow up on how it goes...

[NWest]

Originally Posted by DVC

I have an appt for a corner balance next Thursday... Planning to check rake, probably lower the front about 3/8", then balance corner weights as needed. I'll follow up on how it goes...

How did it go?

[DVC]

Originally Posted by NWest

How did it go?

The corner weights were still pretty much dead on, and the rake was good (1.69% forward, IIRC) so I didn't mess with front ride height.

[smallba]

Originally Posted by DVC

The corner weights were still pretty much dead on, and the rake was good (1.69% forward, IIRC) so I didn't mess with front ride height.

What shop did you use? i see you are in Northern Jersey and was curious when i get to this point where to go.

[DVC]

Originally Posted by smallba

What shop did you use? i see you are in Northern Jersey and was curious when i get to this point where to go.

I would not recommend the shop I used - they caused all sorts of problems with their careless work, which cost me a bunch of money to resolve. Long story; I'm still considering whether to shame them on the forums (something I normally would not do).

I do have another shop that I highly recommend in Northern NJ though - OffCamber Autosport in Rockaway NJ