Affected by crosswinds

[jason_recliner]

I find that I'm blown about a bit on a windy day.

In all my previous cars, I used to hear the buffetting of a crosswind against mirrors, wiper arms, etc, and you'd know you were in a decent wind. The audible cues were a backup for the natural counter-steering that would go on.

But the BMW is so quiet - generally a good thing - I never hear a thing. The issue then is, that I have no solid feel for how much crosswind I'm really copping. (I'd hate to think I was being blown away by a Zephyr. :))

I just had a 800km trip the last couple of days with a fair bit of wind blowing me around. So at one point I just took both hands off the wheel, to see what would happen. The attitude of the car would change, i.e. it felt like I was being side-slipped, but it kept driving in an overall straight direction. Well, pretty much.

Does anyone else experience this? Do I just need tougher suspension bits? The car overall handles beautifully, so I wouldn't have thought so.
This is one area I've never really known anything about.

[Pirate_copy]

I get this too

Tougher suspension will certainly help :)

[TheOnlyE36]

To be honest with you, I really never experience huge gusts of wind to the point where I would be worry about it. I have been in windy weather and I have felt the wind pushing (or I should say wanted to push) the car but it was nothing that I got worry about. It only happened for a split second. I guess you are concerned about it, tighter suspension will help as Pirate already mentioned.

[SCANDINAVIAN13]

If it's not gusting and the winds are just strong crosswinds, watch the trucks. You'll actually see them driving at an angle. You won't have to as much because you don't have as much surface area to counter through steering, but if you see the trucks doing it, be prepared to do it yourself.

[B/\/\W]

Wind noise is usually drowned out by the screaming 4 cylinder engine on the motorway. :thumbdwn:

[TheOnlyE36]

Wind noise is usually drowned out by the screaming 4 cylinder engine on the motorway. :thumbdwn:
UHHHH BURN........:rofl:

[E36 Phantom]

I disagree about the suspension. The design of this car is simply very susceptible to cross winds. My car is dropped, H&R's, Bilsteins, X-Brace, Strut bar, etc - suspension just about fully modified, and I get it bad. That's one of my biggest complaints about this car, right up there with the interior. Cross winds on this are about as bad as my moms Oldsmobile minivan, riding on the original (and dying) struts. Jason, really its just one of those things you're gonna have to live with.

[TheOnlyE36]

I disagree about the suspension. The design of this car is simply very susceptible to cross winds. My car is dropped, H&R's, Bilsteins, X-Brace, Strut bar, etc - suspension just about fully modified, and I get it bad. That's one of my biggest complaints about this car, right up there with the interior. Cross winds on this are about as bad as my moms Oldsmobile minivan, riding on the original (and dying) struts. Jason, really its just one of those things you're gonna have to live with.

Interesting! I know I've asked you that before but how much did you lower your E36? I must say your car is one of my favorite car on fest. Good job. simple&clean= bada$$

[E36 Phantom]

Thanks bro, 1.5" front, 1" rear.

That's another of my favorite things about my previous Supra. ZERO susceptibility to crosswinds. I know people hear me talk about and compare the E36 to my Supra (generally not in a good way for the E36). That's not because I think this is a poor car, don't get me wrong, its just that the Supra was excellent in a number of categories, and I got used to that in the Supra and expected that from everything.

[TheOnlyE36]

Thanks bro, 1.5" front, 1" rear.

That's another of my favorite things about my previous Supra. ZERO susceptibility to crosswinds. I know people hear me talk about and compare the E36 to my Supra (generally not in a good way for the E36). That's not because I think this is a poor car, don't get me wrong, its just that the Supra was excellent in a number of categories, and I got used to that in the Supra and expected that from everything.

Who did you buy the lowering kit from?

[Vornado]

Thanks bro, 1.5" front, 1" rear.

That's another of my favorite things about my previous Supra. ZERO susceptibility to crosswinds. I know people hear me talk about and compare the E36 to my Supra (generally not in a good way for the E36). That's not because I think this is a poor car, don't get me wrong, its just that the Supra was excellent in a number of categories, and I got used to that in the Supra and expected that from everything.

Add a spoiler. Problem solved. :D

[SCANDINAVIAN13]

I don't understand the crosswind complaint. Have you all never driven anything else? Minivan, truck or anything larger? The crosswind bite for this car isn't bad at all and it's no more susceptible to crosswinds than other cars of its size.

[E36 Phantom]

Kyle,
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2877932&postcount=7

;)

I've driven plenty of cars. Here are the cars I drive or have driven on a regular basis:
2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette Premier
2000 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi
1998 BMW 740iL
1991 Toyota Supra Turbo
1995 Lexus LS400
1990 Chevy S-10
1987 Misubishi MightyMax
2002 Honda Civic

Out of those, the E36 and Mitsu were the worst, the van next, then the S-10, then the Civic and Bonneville, then the Lex LS, then the E38, then the Supra (almost none). This car honestly feels more upset by crosswinds than the van, no joke. The Supra was completely unphased by them, one of my favorite things about it.

[jason_recliner]

I don't understand the crosswind complaint. Have you all never driven anything else? Minivan, truck or anything larger? The crosswind bite for this car isn't bad at all and it's no more susceptible to crosswinds than other cars of its size.

It's not just taller vehicles, but lighter ones. This is the heaviest car I've ever owned, and it's possibly also the most affected - except perhaps a tall skinny 70's mazda that weighed about 850kg.

Sure, gusts are something you just have to deal with. I ride too, and fly. So I know all about driving straight on an angle. :)

Like I said, it drives relatively straight regardless, but the attutide change is offputting.
It feels a bit like the body is shifting angle in the wind while the chassis keeps going straight.

[SCANDINAVIAN13]

In reality it all boils down to cross sectional area and lateral aerodynamics. I don't see how this car could be more affected than certain others, but if you guys believe it, then sure.

Jason - You fly? How many hours do you have? Licenses?

[jasonf860]

In reality it all boils down to cross sectional area and lateral aerodynamics. I don't see how this car could be more affected than certain others, but if you guys believe it, then sure.

Jason - You fly? How many hours do you have? Licenses?


Very simple really. The E36 chassis is one of the tallest, narrowest, and boxy "sporty" cars made. Lateral winds are hitting a rather large, nearly flat surface thus tossing the car around.

That being said, if your car is seriously THAT effected by cross winds, then I think it's time to refresh your suspension!

[whosyadadie01]

my buddy has a supra and his bro has a supra and they are amazing cars. i was driving down the highway doin 90+ at nite and i see something out of the corner of my eye gaining on me so i floor it to bout 130 and he walks past me. turns out he wasnt even trying to race but just driving noramlly. guess thats what you get fronm a twin turbo stock

[ianiac]

Are you sure that your car is a 325is and not a 328is??

[SCANDINAVIAN13]

my buddy has a supra and his bro has a supra and they are amazing cars. i was driving down the highway doin 90+ at nite and i see something out of the corner of my eye gaining on me so i floor it to bout 130 and he walks past me. turns out he wasnt even trying to race but just driving noramlly. guess thats what you get fronm a twin turbo stock

What does this have to do with this topic?

As long as you posted it:
Anyone driving that fast "normally" is an idiot.

[ianiac]

I meant to say that to "TheOnlyE36"

My bad