RE: Dinan curiousity

["Dave Lehmann" <DaveLehmann@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

The ride quality of an E36 with a Dinan Stage 1 or 2 is DEFINITELY FIRMER
than an M3 and MUCH FIRMER than a 328i.  You will loose the luxury ride.
After two weeks of the Dinan suspension you will have forgotten how soft the
stock ride was.  After driving the new E46 in the BMW "Driving Experience",
I was glad to get back in my Dinan.
The Dinan suspension did lower the car 1 inch at the front lip and about 1/2
inch in the rear.  Not real drastic, but DEFINITELY noticeable.
I don't track this car, just show it and enjoy driving it.  I was initially
concerned about the same thing before the car was converted.  In all
honesty, the change from 15 inch tires to 17 inch tires made the biggest
difference in the ridged ride.
Counterpoint:  My wife doesn't like the firmer ride and now won't drive my
car.  Too bad.   ;-)

I went with the Koni setup, therefore cannot comment on the Bilsteins.

Dave Lehmann
BMW CCA 133006
Peachtree Chapter
'96  S1 Dinan 3
http://pages.prodigy.net/davelehmann/d3.htm       see MY CAR


>Anybody out there have a Dinan Stage I or II suspension on an E36? I want
to
>know how rough the ride is (does it retain any of the stock comfort?) and
>whether or not those "specially-valved" Bilsteins can be replaced with
>standard Bilstein Sports (are they Dinans firmer or softer or close enought
>that it doesn't matter?)

Matt
92 325is

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