RE: bmw-digest V9 #1469

["Derek van Veen" <derek@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> AS time has progressed, car manufacturers have made dramatic
> improvements in body stiffness.  The new E46, for example, is several
> times stiffer than a 2002 - almost an order of magnitude.  Car design
> used to not be too concerned with body stiffness.  There was even some
> thought that it helped and acted as part of the supspension when it
> flexed.  New theory is quite different - the stiffer the better.  This
> is assisted by better design tools, computers, structural modeling and
> better materials.

Ah yes, but the E46 weighs a hell of a lot more than the 2002...for its
given weight and obviously its age, the 2002 isn't too shabby.  It wouldn't
handle as well as it does if it were a wet noodle.

- -Derek

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