Will taking 150lbs off the car help improving handling?

[wwjd15]

I figure out a diet plan for my e92 which would save about 150lbs. But before going there, wanna ask if that really helps since it's not even 5% weight of the car. Most of the saving from interior, exhaust, etc.
Thanks in advance.

[the///Mthree]

Yes. Taking advantage of the weight savings and noticing the difference in handling all depends on your skill level.

Generally somebody asking this question is not up to that skill level yet. But there is an exception to every rule.

[Kyoshi71]

Yes

[Jaypod]

Depends on the driver, type of driving and skill level. Ask yourself, can you feel the difference in driving when the tank is almost empty vs. full? or when you have a passenger in the car vs. just yourself?
It is also possible to upset the balance of the car but removing too much weight from one area of the car, our cars are already very well balanced. Although it is probably highly unlikely you can remove enough weight from just one area of the car to achieve your weight savings.

[mastek]

I removed 200 lbs.
The difference is marginal in the overall big picture... but it did make for slightly better handling at the track

[Brosef]

Originally Posted by the///Mthree

Yes. Taking advantage of the weight savings and noticing the difference in handling all depends on your skill level.

Generally somebody asking this question is not up to that skill level yet. But there is an exception to every rule.

+1. having said that, it certainly wouldn't hurt the handling.

[MaxL]

I notice the difference when I drive with instructor or solo on HPDE events, but then instructors are 250lbs a piece or so.

[Mavrick151]

If you want to improve the handling of the car get some different tires. Then put your car on a diet.

[Richbot]

150lbs is a big deal. Aside from the half second per lap around a minute-30 track, you get better brake life, tire life, accel, grip, braking performance. Can negatively affect handling balance depending on where the weight comes from. Overall grip could go up but might not be able to get on the power as early.

Losing 300lbs from this car seems like a piece of cake, you don't even have to take out much of the interior, just seats and replace the driver's seat with a bucket. 50lbs in the exhaust, 20lbs in the wheels, 10lbs in the brakes and suspension, 80-90lbs for the passenger seat, 50lbs for replacing the driver's seat, 50lbs for the rear seats, 15lbs? for a carbon trunklid, ditch the "trunk junk" (floor and foam), drop a healthy deuce and you're just about there. Most of it is close to or behind the centerline of the car which could upset the balance a little.

Wouldn't be worth it to me to take the interior apart for an occasional track day, but the wheels, brakes, suspension and exhaust could be enjoyed every day of the week.

[1MORELAP]

I do not think you will notice it by simple taking a spin, but if you lap, your brakes and tires will last a bit longer or you will be able to brake a bit later. Take a 150 lbs. buddy for a spin and then go alone. You will see what difference that makes.

I am will put my car on a diet as well, though a very conservative one:

- Akra
- Wheels
- and for track a bit of carpets and sound deadening from the trunk.

[von_zoom]

Losing 150 lbs imo is akin to perfuming the pig. I seriously doubt you will notice a difference. The car has beaucoup horse power, more than you use in sudden bursts, and more than overcomes the 150 lbs you are talking about. Brakes, wheels, tires, and suspension will make a very large difference, so if improved handling is the goal, look in that direction. Now, weight reduction - after the above, remove 800 lbs to get the car around 3K, and you will have a great track car. A modern day E30. But the secret, seat time, practice, and a good instructor will improve handling. Try it.
vz

[Richbot]

Removing 800lbs from an E90 M3 would put it around 2866 with a full tank...fyi Mine weighed 3666 on my scales with a full tank and nothing taken out of it, stock everything. These cars are already under well under 3600 dry, not that that's anything to crow about.

Road racers argue about 25 lbs here and there being an advantage all the time. 150lbs in my world is a huge difference.

[Crazy Bimmer]

This is going to be such a noob question but here goes.

Does making the car lighter affect the weight distribution in a negative way?

[AMPowerJ]

Originally Posted by Crazy Bimmer

This is going to be such a noob question but here goes.

Does making the car lighter affect the weight distribution in a negative way?

Sure if you take more weight out of the rear vs. the front then the near 50/50 balance could be upset.

[von_zoom]

150lbs in my world is a huge difference.

Noting your avatar - Assume you are a racer, a momentum car, and if so, then agree completely. You most likely have already reduced the weight as much as you can, so each pound thereafter is a plus. But for a stock E92, 150 lbs is not much and would be marginal toward improved handling.
vz

[PINHEAD]

yea 150lbs is 1 passenger in the car, huge diff

[Richbot]

Originally Posted by von_zoom

Noting your avatar - Assume you are a racer, a momentum car, and if so, then agree completely. You most likely have already reduced the weight as much as you can, so each pound thereafter is a plus. But for a stock E92, 150 lbs is not much and would be marginal toward improved handling.
vz

I'm not talking about myself, so much, as road racers in general. I hear American Sedan racers, which is a class for cars very similar in performance to a decently modified E90 M3; 450+hp, 3400lbs with driver, front engine rear-drive etc bitch constantly about 25lbs here and there.

[Richbot]

Originally Posted by Crazy Bimmer

This is going to be such a noob question but here goes.

Does making the car lighter affect the weight distribution in a negative way?

Most of the opportunity for weight reduction on the M3 seems like it's going to affect weight over the rear axle more than the front. You can tune around the more front-biased weight distribution with suspension setup, though if you have a choice on where to add weight like a driver cooling system or a fire bottle, it should go in the trunk.

[wwjd15]

Thanks for all the input.
Honestly, with or without a 180lbs passenger doesn't make 1 second difference to me at the moment. I know it's good to save weight, but I just wonder if thats worth to do so since my car is DD.

[M3V8Driver]

Generally, less weight equals quicker acceleration and improved braking performance. It also, as somebody pointed out, increases the useful life of many wear items (tires, brakes, clutch). But as far as corning goes, it depends on where the weight is removed. You still want to strive for 50/50 front rear and side-to-side weight distribution. Adjustable coil-overs allows for a post weight reduction corner balancing. OP, since you're talking only a little weight reduction mostly towards the middle of the car, you likely won't throw off the balance too much. Any improvements (acceleration, braking, cornering) will be minimal. Just an FYI, the bottom of the car (ie - exhaust) is the worst place to remove weight. It will in effect, make the top of the car heavier, throwing off the center of gravity. By the time you remove a significant amount of weight from the E9x to noticeably improve all aspect of performance, the car would likley be less enjoyable on the street or as a daily driver. By this token, save your time and effort and go buy a decent used racing kart for $2500. It will pull a lot more g's in the corners than your M3

[wwjd15]

I just took the whole rear seats out, and replaced stock seats with Recaro SPG. Here's some numbers
Rear seats = 40lbs
Passenger seat = 65 lbs
Driver seat = 63 lbs
Recaro SPG brackets rails side mount = 36 lbs
Vanguard = 18 lbs

I took about 170-180 lbs off the car at the moment. My car with myself (150 lbs), full tank of gas, and the mods I have in my sig weighted at 3620 lbs.
I'll find out if that helps handling by this weekend's track days.

[kyoo]

and improve gas mileage! lol