Accord

The biggest complaint about the C32 seems to be with the suspension. Are you happy with the stock suspension?

misu55

No, I'm not completly satisfied with my suspension, I've had the car for over 1 year now and it still bothers me once and a while. It seems way too soft in turns to me. I guess I was spoiled by my last car (an E36 M3) which really did have a fantastic suspension. I already have H&R springs in my possession ready to be installed, I'll wait and see how much those help before doing anything else. Other than that, I love my C32.

FrankW

I'm okay with the stock setup.

How much is the H&R set?

Bux

I hit up the auto-x track, cause i sat shotgun in my friends modded e36, it hugged the track and spoiled me wanting to get suspension mods but now i don't know if i should get just springs or kleeman speed sensitive (to go all out or not) :p

Mach430

Go with H&R springs and our adjustable sway bars. The difference will make it handle better than a stock E46 M3.

Accord

Ben, how much are the H&R springs and the Swaybars?

Also, how much do the H&R springs lower the C32?

otoupalik

Roozy,

As a BMW racer and one with extensive knowledge of suspension set-ups (specifically track related), I can tell you that the C32 is good, but needs a few things.

1. springs
2. sways
3. camber

The first is easy - many dealers including us have them in stock.

The second, well, ours are awesome. Vadim's (my partner who develops our parts) C32 is so hooked up now with the springs and sways it feels much like a stock e46 M3. Close to, but not quite as good as the e36 M3.

The third we are working on. We might have some answers today actually as we are setting the car up for CEC's Euro TunerFest time trials this weekend.

Thanks

Brad

Franco

The impressions I get when driving my stock C32 is that the suspension is tuned so that it can handle the powerful engine without adversely affecting the ride quality. However, when driven aggressively, the car understeers and body lean is noticable.

If you have an aggressive driving style, I would suggest a suspension upgrade.

Bux

VIDEO - C32 Nasty body roll This will make everyone want to upgrade....evosport wanna hook me up?


(ignore the amusing sound made by mr.camera man)

Accord

That is some crazy body roll. Just by changing lanes you can see a monsterous gap between the tire and fender. I am definetly getting some H&R Springs and Evosport sway bars thanks to Roozy .

rrf

Was that shot from that "slow" S4 of Zerin ?

I think Roozy is also talking about the last few frames where the C32 has trouble hanging in the left turn, starts complaining, and uses up what is left of the road.

Bux

no zerin in that vid, im just showing the body roll that occurs if you gun it a little.

AmgBoy

Hey when I was talking to Zerin he said that he used to hang out with a guy who drove a C32 or something, would this be you? In one of his videos on his website he shows a sign come up from the read sun shade on a C32 saying "F#ck You" and I remember people saying that was your car?? Just was curious if you used to chill with him.

Later Guys,
AmGbOy

Bux

Thats me ...just met up with him a couple weekends ago.

sticky2

Heh, speaking of zerin, I was supposed to buy his s4. I went to hartmann motorsports and test drove it with my buddy, and it was very fast, very nice ride. Hartmann then said he wanted to drive it. So he drove it, all crazy, and showed what it would really do. The next day I got a call from zerin saying the cv joint was broken, and it would cost 2k to fix. Man, I was pissed. When we left the car it was fine, and I didn't want responsiblity for that. Anyway, to make a long story short, don't deal with scott hartmann. He is an *******, and does not take responsibility for what he, or his employees, do with cars people leave.

rrf

Brad are you saying publicly in a C32 AMG (W203) forum that the E36M3 handles better than the E46M3 and the E46M3 is better than the C32? Blasphemy, jail that man!

j/k I think you are probably right, I have never driven a E46M3 though. My feeling is that bigger swaybars will make an important contribution, springs alone won't make the C32 behave like the E36M3. Where are my handcuffs?

Camber, how much would you add?

otoupalik

Yep - I made those bold statements!

I am in general not a huge fan of sways. The rule in race car set-up is that you get it right then add sways just to fine tune. So to say that I was skeptical about the improvement on the C32 is an understatement. However, driving the car for 5 minutes made me a believer!

As for camber, if you can get 1.8 to 2.0 degrees of negative camber, that will help the turn in and understeer TREMENDOUSLY!

Thanks

Brad

FrankW

DAmn...am I the only one who thinks the C32 is not a race car, and it's fine the way it is?

isn't there suppose to be someone else that thinks like me? i saw two vote for "it's fine the way it is"

Accord

The C32 may not be able to compare to the MP4/17, however it is a sports car built on racing heritage. It is one of the most race worthy cars on the road today.

otoupalik

Frank,

Of course you are not alone, in fact you are in the majority. However, the C32 is a sports car in sedans clothing. Those who are true enthusiasts find the car lacking in a few key areas, that's all.

This is certainly not a "your right, I'm wrong" type scenario. This is all about perspective!

For those who came from a 7-series or a E or S-Class, this might be too sporty. For those from an M3 this is not sporty enough.

Thanks

Brad

FrankW

So, i guess i got stuck in between since my previous car was a 2000 328Ci sport/premium. I think the 328Ci was more sporty than C32, but i guess i'm not too found of the bumpy ride anymore.

otoupalik

Frank,

You don't have to have a bumpy ride to have better handling!

Thanks

Brad

b4chow

won't just chaning to H&R springs blow your shocks in a few months?

otoupalik

No, it will not.

Thanks

Brad

rrf

I will be buying the EvoSport sway bars. Put me down for a set at the "good" price, before it expires.
I'll send email to Brad/Ben.

Rich