[matty088]

I put a Cobb and dps in my 335i coupe and I must say it's pretty fast. I will do a fmic shortly then call it a ball game. While the car is pretty fast it still drives like a sedan and this hurts the fun factor I think. I dont think the car is balanced between power and handling. In fact it may almost be dangerous in that the car gets up to triple digit speeds fairly quick but the car doesn't feel stable and certainly doesn't inspire confidence.

Is there a way to get the car tighter, sportier, and ultimately more fun to drive? Or are we limited due to the geometry/weight/softness of the car?

I am looking for basic Bolton items. I am not looking to reform the entire suspension. Are there any Big Bang for the money suspension parts?

[cdgatti]

Bilstein B12 kit. One and done.

[matty088]

Thanks. I will take a look. Where is a good spot to get e93 m3 front bar. Is there a DIY install write up somewhere?

[mbanks21]

As noted above, good shock/spring combo or coilovers if you're looking for fairly simple suspension upgrades

[mbanks21]

Originally Posted by matty088

Thanks. I will take a look. Where is a good spot to get e93 m3 front bar. Is there a DIY install write up somewhere?

I found Tomkinson BMW had the cheapest E93 M3 front with the bushings

[matty088]

Originally Posted by mbanks21

I found Tomkinson BMW had the cheapest E93 M3 front with the bushings

Really appreciate the help. Does Tomkinson BMW come in a set like this from ecs
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E92-335...Bar/ES2618428/

I'd imagine this is easy to do in the driveway? No alignment needed after right?

[mlifxs]

First thing I did was upgrade my shocks to ones with stronger damping (bmw performance). Felt tighter and sportier.

funny thing about suspension mods though...your head and body adapts and the change becomes the new "normal" and then you want to do Mooooooorrrrr

[mlifxs]

Dinan fixed Camber Plates

adds -0.7 negative camber
on sale through end of April 169 shipped.

[mbanks21]

Originally Posted by matty088

Really appreciate the help. Does Tomkinson BMW come in a set like this from ecs
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E92-335...Bar/ES2618428/

I'd imagine this is easy to do in the driveway? No alignment needed after right?

Tomkinson sells them separately but it comes out cheaper. No alignment needed for sways

[Kenu8187]

Koni shocks stock springs

Koni with swift springs

KW street comfort (linear is more stable than progressive found in the V sets)

Ohlins

[Dylanize]

Originally Posted by mlifxs

Dinan fixed Camber Plates

adds -0.7 negative camber
on sale through end of April 169 shipped.

Are these for front or rear? And can i use these with factory sport suspension?

[mlifxs]

Originally Posted by Dylanize

Are these for front or rear? And can i use these with factory sport suspension?

front. yes you can

[D's Bimmer]

Originally Posted by cdgatti

Bilstein B12 kit. One and done.

+2 on the B12 Kit!

[SgtGoldy]

Drives like a sedan? You mean more planted than a coupe? You do realize sedans are generally stiffer than coupes...

Sidenote: I take offense to that statement lol

[vasillalov]

Originally Posted by SgtGoldy

Drives like a sedan? You mean more planted than a coupe? You do realize sedans are generally stiffer than coupes...

Sidenote: I take offense to that statement lol

I was going to say the same thing. The sedans are much definitely stiffer and they generally do better on the track with the same mods. Also, sedans have slightly wider track in the rear, if I remember correctly.

You make your car feel properly, you need to:

1. Ditch the RFTs and get proper tires
2. M3 suspension bits + subframe bushings
3. Proper coilovers or shocks/springs. Look into Koni based suspensions
4. LSD

[matty088]

Originally Posted by SgtGoldy

Drives like a sedan? You mean more planted than a coupe? You do realize sedans are generally stiffer than coupes...

Sidenote: I take offense to that statement lol

I think I didn't articulate my point clearly. What I meant by calling the car a sedan is that it doesn't have a sports car feel. It's def more agile than a honda accord but never the less I think the car attempts to be many things rather than being purpose built. I think this means that it could be more fun to drive.

In my opinion, It's not a car you take out on Sundays for fun. It's a car that makes driving to work a little better.

I'd like to make the car feel more sporty. Having power is only piece of the pie. While I wish the car pulled to redline and revved more freely I am generally happy with the power and acceleration. Now I'd like to turn my efforts to handling. So I started this thread asking if it's possible to make this car a sports car without gutting the suspension and spending 5k. I'd like to spend up to 1k. Thanks again.

By the way I got rid of rft's.

[solishe]

Originally Posted by matty088

I think I didn't articulate my point clearly. What I meant by calling the car a sedan is that it doesn't have a sports car feel. It's def more agile than a honda accord but never the less I think the car attempts to be many things rather than being purpose built. I think this means that it could be more fun to drive.

In my opinion, It's not a car you take out on Sundays for fun. It's a car that makes driving to work a little better.

I'd like to make the car feel more sporty. Having power is only piece of the pie. While I wish the car pulled to redline and revved more freely I am generally happy with the power and acceleration. Now I'd like to turn my efforts to handling. So I started this thread asking if it's possible to make this car a sports car without gutting the suspension and spending 5k. I'd like to spend up to 1k. Thanks again.

By the way I got rid of rft's.

Non RFTs on the stock sport suspension will definitely feel sloppier (due to softer sidewalls) which is probably also what you are feeling as well (as the suspension was tuned for RFTs). Looking to spend $1K in parts? Or parts plus labor?

[matty088]

Parts labor. Ty

[mlifxs]

1k including labor is going to be tough, at least if you're seeking to do everything now.

some ways to make the most of it would be to buy used and / or DIY things. I took up DIY'ing for this very reason. I wanted to find economical ways to make my car more fun to drive. Buying used can save money but there is some buyer beware risk to consider. Certain parts (like springs) are probably safer to buy used than others.

I've also tried to wait (sometimes unsuccessfully) until parts are at least half way worn, then replace with heavy duty versions; examples for me: BMW Performance dampers, M3 control arms. This is cost effective since I'd probably need to replace with stock sometime soon, however it's delayed gratification and may not appeal to some folks.

A typical shock / spring setup is at least 600 new and you'll probably spend $300 to $400 paying someone to put it in. That could produce satisfactory results for you, I don't know....and you may not know until it's done Cheapest new thing might be a set of Koni yellows for around $600, then adjust to your liking (though you have remove the rear shocks to adjust ... more labor for someone).

In any case the good news is your car is a great platform, as is.

Edit: if you're really tied to the 1k budget and assuming someone else is doing the labor

Koni yellows, keep your current springs
Dinan camber plates, if you're willing to break the budget slightly.

If both, do both at once to save on labor.

Originally Posted by matty088

Is there a DIY install write up somewhere?

Yup! Check out www.E90post.com ... They've got a great DIY section

[iturbo_bmw]

1k is not gonna cut it on this car in the handling department. sounds like u bought the wrong car. i think coilovers and m3 controls arms would the make the biggest difference before lsd and other m3 bits

[solishe]

Originally Posted by matty088

Parts labor. Ty

If you want new parts and won't consider buying used (and don't need rebound adjustability), the Bilstein B12 kit installed would be about $1250ish. Close, but it is a bit over your budget.