<E36> M3 LTW spring impression

["Mudry, Robert (CAP, AMR)" <rob.mudry@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I hope this is not a repeat, I posted this message yesterday but it bounced
back to me (usage of 8bit ASCII characters) Also, the springs have been sold
this morning.
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From:  Mudry, Robert (CAP, AMR)
Sent:  Monday, August 31, 1998 2:23 PM
To:  'BMW Mail list'
Subject:  <E36> M3 LTW spring impression

Hey gang!

Thanks to everyone who emailed me with tips and info on LTW M3 springs.  I
had them on my car for roughly one week but decided to go with US M3
springs.  Here's a brief comparison:

I started out with '96 328is sport suspension (I already had M3 wheels).  I
put in '97 M3 sways, struts and LTW M3 springs.  I used M3 strut mounts
mounted L<->R.   Results: huge difference!!!   The car is solid flat on
turns, stops and acceleration.  The front dropped about 1" and the rear
about .25".  Looks and drives great.  The downside is that the setup is so
stiff that when hitting a sudden bump in a construction zone, the impact
transfers very well to your kidneys.  It basically jolts the whole car.  Not
good.  East Coast roads really suck...

So last Friday I swapped out the springs for the US M3 springs that I got
with the struts and sways.  Again, huge difference.  The ride is plush
again, I'm back up 1" in the front, and I'm experiencing heavy nose dive
during breaking.  (Now I know why all you M3 people are swapping out your
suspensions...)  I must have adapted to the stiff LTW setup during that one
week and now I feel that I'm at the same level as I was before in my 328is.
Oh well...  

Overall, I think I'm at a pretty good compromise.  Now that I'm used to them
I feel it's slightly stiffer than my stock 328is.  Due to different front
sway bar geometry my car doesn't "tram-line" as much on bad roads.  I've
improved my turn handling slightly and the ride is comfortable enough that I
don't fear driving into D.C.  I just wish M3 suspension was a bit lower.  

So, now if anyone is interested in LTW M3 springs, email me with your
offers...  The springs are in excellent condition, fresh take-offs from PTG
plus my week worth of driving. They do not feel 20% stiffer than stock M3 as
most people said...  Since they are so low,  the car's center of gravity is
lower, the front camber gets more neg and the overall stiffness seems like
30-40%.  Vast improvement over M3 stock.  The thing that gets me...  you
don't need the spring compressor to get them on your M3 strut!  

Rob Mudry
'96 328is 
BMW CCA #135536

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