//M Xmas planning

[Jembo]

So... we decided not to pull the camber pins for more adjustment - Martyn recommended to try the other E46 CSL settings first, then see how got on, though everything else front & rear fully set.

First proper impressions with the full alignment + RTAB/L + full Billy kit.
- straight ahead composure, noticed it was far more wanting to keep centred
- bumps, better at soaking up than stock, though is no Merc cruiser, so you can still feel them, but deffo more damped
- cornering... with all the above, my initial issues have... disappeared, big time
- spring rates & height: looks pretty similar to stock height wise, rear feels softer, nose doesn’t dive anywhere near as much
- turn in: much better, though not tested in anger
- motorway cruising: perfect
- uneven surface composure: much better, but this kinda cars not for this

All in all, a very expensive couple of weeks, though now very happy

 

[bmwaddict]

Glad you're happy Jem, sounds like a big improvement overall which is great, just make sure you don't leave the bill lying around for the wife to find!

 

[Jembo]

Glad you're happy Jem, sounds like a big improvement overall which is great, just make sure you don't leave the bill lying around for the wife to find!

Small typo Dan

... BILLS...

 

[Bodyboarder]

Any more updates on the handling / ride comfort on you’re new setup ?

Also did you renew the front top mounts ? If so with what ? And if not , what was the age / mileage on them ?

Cheers

 

[Jembo]

Any more updates on the handling / ride comfort on you’re new setup ?

Also did you renew the front top mounts ? If so with what ? And if not , what was the age / mileage on them ?

Cheers

Held off a bit before posting more, as doesn’t get driven too much. So

- Front Top mounts. It’s the rears that are of pants design, mine were just fine & car is on 60k. It hasn’t had a hard life, mainly motorway miles & it shows.
- Bump stops: I need to research this more as despite only lowering 20mm, I’ve had 4 hits which don’t feel good, otherwise ride is noticeably improved at the rear, front doesn’t dive as much
- Been noticing that since going for the revised M3 CSL geometry, the Steering while mild cornering on slightly banked carriageways, either left or right .... I don’t need to make any turn adjustments, car seems to just follow the road with wheel straight ahead, as if it knows there’s a slight bend
- rear, as above, is like night & day with both RTAL’s & RTAB’s.... geo & billy kit nodoubt help

In all that rain yesterday, car felt really good, no skittishness, no wandering, no sliding, no aquaplaning (given tyre size was surprised) although I wasn’t trying... instead was more concerned about the I must get in front lane changer swervers who were out in real force with the bit between their teeth.

If u want to know more, PM your mobile & we can have a chat, J

 

[Bodyboarder]

Thank you Jembo

 

[Muckinonthesofa]

[/quote]


- Bump stops: I need to research this more as despite only lowering 20mm, I’ve had 4 hits which don’t feel good, otherwise ride is noticeably improved at the rear, front doesn’t dive as much

[/quote]

Did you find out about the bump stops? I understand the front dampers have built in bump stops and some recommend removing the standard items?

 

[Jembo]

Regret not had the time yet, though on the list. So far on the 2 times she’s been out I’ve been using motorbike eyes... ie looking out for potholes & drain covers, so haven’t had a repeat of those early experiences.

I meant to cut down the OEM bump stops when I changed the wheels, though again just didn’t have time...

However, the more I read seems they have bump stops built in & OEM should be thrown away... so looking to research further

 

[Muckinonthesofa]

Regret not had the time yet, though on the list. So far on the 2 times she’s been out I’ve been using motorbike eyes... ie looking out for potholes & drain covers, so haven’t had a repeat of those early experiences.

I meant to cut down the OEM bump stops when I changed the wheels, though again just didn’t have time...

No problem Jembo, I was wondering if you'd had the same advice as me.

My research and the advice I received was to remove the original bump stops on the front due to the Bilstein dampers having internal bump stops. It's a lot less crashy.