Suspension vendor question

[Brainofjjj]

All- back in an e92 after a 12 year hiatus, went racing for a few years and then deep into Porsche world. I'm back with newly acquired 2013 that has some decent interior bits, some maintenance and some KW V3 Club sports.

The car will be used at ECR, MSR and COTA with some street use so not going whole hog on the aero or weight savings. I'll also tackle this in stages.

I'm taking it down to COTA at the end of September, my goal before then is to install the AP brakes 've already bought and have the car track prepped, nut & bolted.

Trying to plan suspension updates to include the full SPL kit and updated bushings. Is there one single vendor widely known to steer you right with parts choices? I used Bimmerworld a long time ago for my race car build but wondering if there's anyone else i should consider?

Lastly, is there a good recipe for suspension updates for a 50/50 car like mine? I know not to go solid all around but do any of you have good reccomendations?

I'm coming from a GT4RS and want something that feels similar in regards to chassis dynamics.

----one edit - i like the Ground control kit a bit more than SPL now since it has boots over the rod ends.

Thanks!

[Redd]

Originally Posted by Brainofjjj

Lastly, is there a good recipe for suspension updates for a 50/50 car like mine? I know not to go solid all around but do any of you have good reccomendations?

I'm coming from a GT4RS and want something that feels similar in regards to chassis dynamics.

The E9x platform is surprisingly compliant even with full solid suspension. I have full solid suspension - solid subframe, front monoballs, camber plates, full rear sphericals - with Powerflex diff bushes and I can daily my M3. And I love the directness and confidence the full solid setup gives me. I do run TracTive Touring electronic coilovers tho which are not as hard as KW Clubsports.

[Brainofjjj]

Thanks, that’s good to hear.
Also, is there an order to how I should go about this? Meaning I probably shouldn’t do the suspension arms until after I do the subframe so I only pay once for an alignment. Seems like the suspension and chassis should all be refreshed at once.

[Redd]

If you have the money just do everything at one go and enjoy the car. I also highly recommend adjustable rear toe arms and camber shim kit so that you never need to worry about your rear alignment ever again.

[a5m]

Originally Posted by Redd

If you have the money just do everything at one go and enjoy the car. I also highly recommend adjustable rear toe arms and camber shim kit so that you never need to worry about your rear alignment ever again.

I don't want to derail the thread, but what are you eluding to here? Is the rear suspension known to drift around alignment wise on this chassis? Had multiple closely spaced alignments checks recently and my rear toe was all over the place without changing anything. I thought the toe arms were worn and need replacing?

[omgzirra_exe]

Originally Posted by Brainofjjj

All- back in an e92 after a 12 year hiatus, went racing for a few years and then deep into Porsche world. I'm back with newly acquired 2013 that has some decent interior bits, some maintenance and some KW V3 Club sports.

The car will be used at ECR, MSR and COTA with some street use so not going whole hog on the aero or weight savings. I'll also tackle this in stages.

I'm taking it down to COTA at the end of September, my goal before then is to install the AP brakes 've already bought and have the car track prepped, nut & bolted.

Trying to plan suspension updates to include the full SPL kit and updated bushings. Is there one single vendor widely known to steer you right with parts choices? I used Bimmerworld a long time ago for my race car build but wondering if there's anyone else i should consider?

Lastly, is there a good recipe for suspension updates for a 50/50 car like mine? I know not to go solid all around but do any of you have good reccomendations?

I'm coming from a GT4RS and want something that feels similar in regards to chassis dynamics.

----one edit - i like the Ground control kit a bit more than SPL now since it has boots over the rod ends.

Thanks!

'

I see you're in texas, i suggest consulting OG Shark

OG Shark Motorsport
📍Spring Branch, TX

this way you can at least show up in person, talk shop, see what he has going on in person and make the sound decisions.

[omgzirra_exe]

Originally Posted by a5m

I don't want to derail the thread, but what are you eluding to here? Is the rear suspension known to drift around alignment wise on this chassis? Had multiple closely spaced alignments checks recently and my rear toe was all over the place without changing anything. I thought the toe arms were worn and need replacing?

without the eccentric lock out kit, the toe/camber will overtime run out of spec when on the track.

unless you ordered the spl rear toe arms with out the eccentric lock out, then i can see that happening.

[OG Shark]

Originally Posted by omgzirra_exe

'

I see you're in texas, i suggest consulting OG Shark

OG Shark Motorsport
📍Spring Branch, TX

this way you can at least show up in person, talk shop, see what he has going on in person and make the sound decisions.

Thanks omgzirra_exe

Originally Posted by Brainofjjj

All- back in an e92 after a 12 year hiatus, went racing for a few years and then deep into Porsche world. I'm back with newly acquired 2013 that has some decent interior bits, some maintenance and some KW V3 Club sports.

The car will be used at ECR, MSR and COTA with some street use so not going whole hog on the aero or weight savings. I'll also tackle this in stages.

I'm taking it down to COTA at the end of September, my goal before then is to install the AP brakes 've already bought and have the car track prepped, nut & bolted.

Trying to plan suspension updates to include the full SPL kit and updated bushings. Is there one single vendor widely known to steer you right with parts choices? I used Bimmerworld a long time ago for my race car build but wondering if there's anyone else i should consider?

Lastly, is there a good recipe for suspension updates for a 50/50 car like mine? I know not to go solid all around but do any of you have good reccomendations?

I'm coming from a GT4RS and want something that feels similar in regards to chassis dynamics.

----one edit - i like the Ground control kit a bit more than SPL now since it has boots over the rod ends.

Thanks!

Hey Brainofjjj there are a lot of good vendors/shops around in the BMW world still (and welcome back). Bimmerworld is an excellent resource for sure. They have pretty much everything and have done pretty much everything BMW. They are one of our bigger sources for parts as a wholesaler - excellent service, support, information, etc. Suspension specific in the damper world they are an excellent source for MCS bits.

We can certainly help with anything E92 related as well. We have built several E9x M3s - from dedicated street cars all the way to full on race cars in sanctioned classes (and everything in between). We are not exactly local to you (a bit north of San Antonio here) but do have cars from all over the country come here for work (right now cars from Cali, NC, FL, & exotic Houston are here). We are turn key here except for paint - suspension, drivetrain, fabrication, etc. The biggest thing I like to stress with customers is to develop as much of a progression plan as you can especially when a build is in stages. Definitely want to make sure parts are not just an upgrade for the present but will also fit into the future plans for the car.

If you are going to the Chin event at COTA at the end of Sept. we are actually going to be there too. We are delivering a full track build F87 that weekend with the customer flying in to drive COTA before taking it home. I'll be bringing an F87 too in support of his weekend but we can also bring up one of our E92s if you would like to take a look at what we like to do with them. I have been pretty deep in the S55 world the last couple of years but the E9x M3 is actually where my heart is. Also ECR is my favorite track in TX. The road course is phenomenal and love the off road component as well. Cresson has some extremely fast E9x M3s running around as well so could be some good resources for you there too as well.

For COTA in particular it is all about brakes and cooling. Make sure you are good there before going. The APs will handle everything you can throw at them but also make sure your cooling is up to snuff. do88 is the answer here just fyi. ECR is not quite as hard on either as COTA but still tax them pretty well too. Cresson is a bit behind of both on stressing the car though.

Feel free to holler at me if you have any questions. Even if you do not end up using us we still love to talk E9x M3. I can even see if I can dig up some of my video passing factory Pcar GT4s in our shop built M3 back when we actually had time to race. Also welcome to stop by the shop anytime if you happen to be in the area.

-Jason

[Redd]

Originally Posted by a5m

I don't want to derail the thread, but what are you eluding to here? Is the rear suspension known to drift around alignment wise on this chassis? Had multiple closely spaced alignments checks recently and my rear toe was all over the place without changing anything. I thought the toe arms were worn and need replacing?

I've also noticed that my rear toe would drift between alignments when I was on stock toe arms. Eccentric nuts are horrible for holding settings especially if you track the car. And the M3 is very sensitive to rear toe. I've never had to worry about toe settings ever since I changed to Dinan toe arms + SPL lockout kit. I also used Fall Line camber shims for good measure. Super solid.

[Brainofjjj]

Originally Posted by OG Shark

Hey Brainofjjj there are a lot of good vendors/shops around in the BMW world still (and welcome back). Bimmerworld is an excellent resource for sure. They have pretty much everything and have done pretty much everything BMW. They are one of our bigger sources for parts as a wholesaler - excellent service, support, information, etc. Suspension specific in the damper world they are an excellent source for MCS bits. ......

-Jason

Thanks Jason - i'll contact you via PM, would love to see your E92 down there. Appreciate everyone's feedback so far. Car arrived today at my friend's shop, once we get the inspection done i can dig into it and begin making lists.

[berns]

Excited to be a part of this one!