I have a 04 bmw 325xi. The handling is pretty amazing and was wondering how to improve it even more. For instance what will give me the most improvement sports springs, wide sticky tires, strut bar, etc.
2007-03-03 10:23:47 · 4 answers · asked by Ski_Bum 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ BMW
There are quite a wide array of options you can take to improve the handling on a car... the tough part is being able to evaluate what the problems are with the car's handling to begin with. For that you need both the skill as a driver and a forum to take the car to task.
So, I would first recomment checking out some Autocrosses as a great way to begin developing the skill you need to find out just what the problems are (but if it's set up stock, I'd guess the main issue will be understeer, lots and lots of understeer). It's also a safe place to really let the car go! Not to mention it's fun.
Even if you go that route, the two things that will give you the most bang for the buck will be:
Tires - it's the one element that will affect every other aspect of performance. Keep in mind that better performing tires trade longevity for that performance, but even if you are conscious of comfort and wear, there are probably still some upgrades available. Bridgestone RE01R's are my current favorite among street tires, though the RE050A Pole Position seems like a usable compromise tire. And if handling is a major concern, get a seperate set of tires for summer and a seperate set for winter (if you are often in real winter conditions).
Setup - invest in a good allignment and corner balancing. The stock allignment specs will push the car towards understeer. Getting it back towards neutral and adding a little more negitive camber can make it feel like a completely different car.
After that, there are lots of options. Bigger (and adjustable) anti-roll bars would probably be the next best place to turn your attention. Followed by the dampers and then the springs.
2007-03-05 07:54:02 · answer #1 · answered by Paul S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tires are always good, get something with a stiff sidewall. Then sway bars, because they aren't too expensive, get the good bushings for them. The strut tower bar will be mainly for looks. H&Rs are good springs as mentioned pair them up with some Bilstein Sports. There will be a tradeoff though because the ride will suffer. Dinan is cool but very expensive.
The guy wants to be able to handle better not turn his car into an ///M and judging by his screen name he might need the 4 wheel drive that the M3 does not offer.
2007-03-04 12:42:27 · answer #2 · answered by blitzen25bm 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sway bars first. See how much faster the car rotates into the turn. Now get ready to spend wheels with the very best tires. $3,000 a set then deside how low you want the car to set. Adjustable struts and coil over Eibach or H&R springs another $3,000. Then slap yourself upside the head "could of had a M" M3 would of had all the goodies you are trying to improve on your 325, and more horsepower
2007-03-04 00:22:23 · answer #3 · answered by John Paul 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
all you need to do is contact these people.
http://www.dinanbmw.com/
they've been tuning bmw's for a long time, they have good prices and can get you exactly what you need as well as advise you on the right parts.
2007-03-03 12:09:00 · answer #4 · answered by Adam F 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋