57 replies to this topic

[pcguru000]

Drove my bosses 450hp 08' M3 today.

Well then.

So whats the trick to having such response tight steering in my c70 as the m3 does? Maybe not exactly but i feel like the steering wheel is a floppy mess in comparison now...Is there any upgrade wiggle room in this department at all?

FYI I am already ipd lowered + 10mm / 20mm spacers

[Fudge_Brownie]

Tire aspect ratio and sidewall stiffness, tire pressure, power-steering fluid condition, alignment, and swaybar setup. All have an impact in one way or another.

Not sure you're going to get what he has. Different steering rack, pump, suspension geometry, weight distribution etc.

[theForgottenone]

Probably putting on bigger tire width size and lower tire pressure. IE 32-34psi. It is no way you can duplicate the exact steering response like the BMW.

[pcguru000]

Yeah i figure exact replication of a new M3's steering would be really hard but i suppose my big thing would be that when you turn the wheel the front wheels respond right away... i think it is more of a sensitivity thing... i should probably just turn the wheel harder LOL

[Fudge_Brownie]

What tire is on the car?

And considering we "just" entered winter, bet your tire pressure is a little low.

[ozzimark]

Consider replacing rubber bushings with poly.

[pcguru000]

Tires are brand new Primewell PZ900's - not the softest rubber but they stick better than what i had, pressures are all good though.

Rubber bushing with poly is an idea- I will see about that. Is there adjustment in the stteering rack itself to be more responsive? Any mods anyone has done?

[850R Hooligan]

In regards to "tightness"....just squeeze your hand tighter.

[scumcity14]

remember the BMW is rear wheel drive. That alone is a big factor. tire compound, size, tread and pressure, The geometry of the 2 cars is totally different, The weight of each rotating/suspended assembly, weight distribution, chassis stiffness, PS gear ratio, pump rate, swaybar diameter..etc..SO many factors.
Handling/steering response is one of the reasons the M3 has been a huge club racing success..

Edited by scumcity14, 13 December 2011 - 11:03 PM.

[cgally]

Tires can make a significant difference. Primewell is not a performance tire. I made the mistake of replacing my worn out michelin pilots for the same exact size tire (primewell) to save a few hundred bucks and boy was I disappointed with the sloppy difference. Obviously there are many other components that will improve handling but I know from personal experience how much difference the right tire can make.

[scumcity14]

cgally, on 13 December 2011 - 11:28 PM, said:

Tires can make a significant difference. Primewell is not a performance tire. I made the mistake of replacing my worn out michelin pilots for the same exact size tire (primewell) to save a few hundred bucks and boy was I disappointed with the sloppy difference. Obviously there are many other components that will improve handling but I know from personal experience how much difference the right tire can make.

Primewell has got to be one of the worst tires I have ever used...we tried them on various vehicles at work and never will use them on anything again..Even the Firestone store that sold them originally, agreed that they are crap

Whats on the M3?..Probably Dunlop or Michelin..

Edited by scumcity14, 14 December 2011 - 12:06 AM.

[lookforjoe]

WTF is a Primewell?

Using POS tires & you wonder why the handling is sloppy????

[burnout8488]

I can sympathize with the OP, I've driven on 2 or 3 different sets of tires in mine and the steering just doesn't seem "snappy" like it is in other mediocre sedans I've driven. My old Subaru Legacy had instant steering, you point, it goes.

There seems to be a very subtle dead spot in the steering off center, then it finally catches and starts turning the wheels. Is that what you're talking about pcguru000?

I almost want to drive someone else's Volvo @ Carlisle this year just to see what I'm missing

[scumcity14]

lookforjoe, on 14 December 2011 - 12:09 AM, said:

WTF is a Primewell?

Don't even ask...they are the cheapest of the cheap. absolute garbage.

[Fudge_Brownie]

Tire width is also going to have a big impact. The wheel can feel much more nimble when driving on skinny tires compared to 205's, at slow speeds. Less resistance against the pavement.

['93 Dave]

longer endlinks will make your steering response faster

edit . i have some old qbm endlinks i might be interested in selling. they are adjustable

Edited by '93 Dave, 14 December 2011 - 01:03 AM.

[Fudge_Brownie]

From 14 December 2011 - 01:02 AM:

longer endlinks will make your steering response faster

edit . i have some old qbm endlinks i might be interested in selling. they are adjustable

Also make your car snow plow in to those turns at speed
But yes, tall links with certainly sharpen parking lot speed steering response.

[fastwagonhawaii]

You will not get close to the feel of the BMW simply because has an electronically controlled steering. The faster you go the stiffer the steering feels. with our cars its kind of what you get is what you get. plus the BMW is a lot newer. but replacing the steering rack, and replacing all bushings with poly would be a good start. but that has been said.

['93 Dave]

Fudge_Brownie, on 14 December 2011 - 01:43 AM, said:

Also make your car snow plow in to those turns at speed
But yes, tall links with certainly sharpen parking lot speed steering response.

do it within reason and your safe, qbm had a how to on their website. i did them on the na and with koni yellows and vogtland springs i had a blast in a 4k pound car. but now with ipd sways u cant preload em

[B Mac]

Having lowering springs actually won't help because the angle of the control arms goes from parallel to the road, to angled up from the road. I don't feel like explaining more than that because I'm sleeping on my keyboard