[bmb]

I plan on modifying my car a little as I love the current set up, but have a couple of things I would like to improve. First question is which should I do first, short shift (UUC) or sways. Second question, is the $ spent on these worth it? Or instead of the sways, should I bite the bullet and drop big $ on the Dinan stage II suspension? From what I have heard, I know I can do the sways myself, but is the short shift a pain in the a**? Any comments are greatly appreciated.

 

[Guest]

I plan on modifying my car a little as I love the current set up, but have a couple of things I would like to improve. First question is which should I do first, short shift (UUC) or sways. Second question, is the $ spent on these worth it? Or instead of the sways, should I bite the bullet and drop big $ on the Dinan stage II suspension? From what I have heard, I know I can do the sways myself, but is the short shift a pain in the a**? Any comments are greatly appreciated.

You don't tell us what model you drive or what you hope to gain. Is your warranty a concern to you? Do you plan to "track" the car? What don't you like about it as it is right now?

We can't help if you don't give us a context.

 

[bmb]

sorry, haven't had enough coffee yet. 2002 330i that I picked up 3/15. Yes the warranty is a concern. What I would like to achieve - love the feel of the short shift and would like to have a little less body roll. I may get the car on the track once or twice, but honestly I would rather be on the golf course. So, tracking the car is really not an issue.

 

[in_d_haus]

sorry, haven't had enough coffee yet. 2002 330i that I picked up 3/15. Yes the warranty is a concern. What I would like to achieve - love the feel of the short shift and would like to have a little less body roll. I may get the car on the track once or twice, but honestly I would rather be on the golf course. So, tracking the car is really not an issue.

You aren't going to track the car but it has too much body roll? Have you considered the implications on ride comfort that you will lose with suspension mods? I'd say get the short shift and leave the suspension alone.

My .02
Haus

 

[Guest]

You aren't going to track the car but it has too much body roll? Have you considered the implications on ride comfort that you will lose with suspension mods? I'd say get the short shift and leave the suspension alone.

My .02
Haus

Sways do not materially affect ride "comfort". They reduce body roll with a minimal impact on overall ride firmness.

Now an entire Dinan Stage II suspension WOULD affect ride comfort but seeing as the E46 SP ride is very soft to start with, IMO there's a lot of room for firming up before it becomes uncomfortable.

 

[in_d_haus]

Now an entire Dinan Stage II suspension WOULD affect ride comfort but seeing as the E46 SP ride is very soft to start with, IMO there's a lot of room for firming up before it becomes uncomfortable.

The SP package is stiff enough to make the CD player skip when driving over expansion joints on a bridge. Not what I'd call "soft".

I think the owner has to look at what the vehicle will be used for. In daily or even "spirited" driving the E46 suspension is very very good. Even on the track I can keep up with modded cars and I'm even running stock brakes and street tires.

You also have to think of a passenger, while we may enjoy a stiffer ride a passenger may not want their fillings shook loose.

There are lots of springs/sways/shocks for sale where people put the stuff on and took it right back off.

Think before you buy.

 

[Guest]

The SP package is stiff enough to make the CD player skip when driving over expansion joints on a bridge. Not what I'd call "soft".

I think the owner has to look at what the vehicle will be used for. In daily or even "spirited" driving the E46 suspension is very very good. Even on the track I can keep up with modded cars and I'm even running stock brakes and street tires.

You also have to think of a passenger, while we may enjoy a stiffer ride a passenger may not want their fillings shook loose.

There are lots of springs/sways/shocks for sale where people put the stuff on and took it right back off.

Think before you buy.

Check your CD player. That's not normal.

I drive an E36 M3 (much firmer than an E46 SP) and have never had a CD skip, not even when driving on DC's crappiest streets.

And the ride is still soft enough that my 2 year old consistenly falls asleep in her car seat in back.

 

[in_d_haus]

Check your CD player. That's not normal.

I drive an E36 M3 (much firmer than an E46 SP) and have never had a CD skip, not even when driving on DC's crappiest streets.

And the ride is still soft enough that my 2 year old consistenly falls asleep in her car seat in back.

Hmm.. maybe so.. Thanks!

 

[bmb]

Thanks for the input. You are right about looking at what the car is used for. That is why I don't plan on the Dinan Stage II. I hate to admit it, but I love working on cars and that is one of the reasons I want to play with the car some. I look at it as entertainment more than anything.

 

[in_d_haus]

I look at it as entertainment more than anything.

Uhhh... you can find cheaper forms of entertainment.. I'm an old mechanic myself.
I bought and restored a '61 bug to scratch that "I wanna get dirty" bug. MUCH cheaper than working on a MY2002 BMW.

 

[·clyde·]

I drive an E36 M3 (much firmer than an E46 SP) and have never had a CD skip, not even when driving on DC's crappiest streets.

How about in Rockville going east on Randolph over the train tracks just east of 355?

Someone honked their horn at me this weekend when i slowed for it. When he pulled up next to me at the next light, he rolled down his window and apologized.

 

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

It happens to me every once in a while. It's pretty rare, though. Really thinking about putting springs in, though. I suspect that would make skipping a lot more frequent.

 

[Guest]

How about in Rockville going east on Randolph over the train tracks just east of 355?

Someone honked their horn at me this weekend when i slowed for it. When he pulled up next to me at the next light, he rolled down his window and apologized.

When I commute by car it's down the Clara barton Parkway and Canal Road. If it doesn't skip along THAT route, it's not skipping anywhere.

 

[Kaz]

I have both, and they are both worth the installation effort. If I had to pick one of the two, I'd go with the sways. I agree that the stock SP is pretty stiff, and I have no intention of changing shocks and springs, but the sways have no effect on ride (heck, my 18in wheels don't affect that either), but they make a world of difference in anything other than the car going in a straight line.

As for the CD skipping, my head unit has started to, but it does that going over some expansion joints now, whereas the changer is still solid. I'll have the head replaced when I go in for my oilservice I guess.

 

[in_d_haus]

(heck, my 18in wheels don't affect that either)

Hmmm... they should due to the shorter sidewall.
What tires are you using.

 

[Kaz]

Hmmm... they should due to the shorter sidewall.
What tires are you using.

PZero Rossos, compared to the stock Contis. I have a feeling its from several different things. A softer-riding tire (?), lighter wheels and the fact that I'm running slightly oversized (235/40).

I went from 15 to 16 to 17 in my old car with the ride changing noticeably every time, and was surprised when I didn't notice a thing with this car.