[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by dArNeLLi

I did the track day with the SSTT, no limp, there are two trackdays coming up at thunderhill (reverse and forward) that I'm deciding on doing, but curious to see what I can do before.

So it seems like the best way to improve handling (cost effective) is to go with coilover, but probably the biggest impact to warranty as well.

OP, I think you should try the setup on track first before purchasing anything, and if you really want to spend money now, I would change your tire to something else

Also, I don't think coilover is the only solution. I think a match set of springs/dampers/swaybar that has been developed by a reputable company is a solid way to go. There is a lot of tech and development time and experience needed to make a 'good' setup, and if you don't have the experience or tech to utilize the adjustability then it could just mislead you or send you down a suboptimal path

[ModBargains.com]

Originally Posted by dArNeLLi

I've just recently installed the JB3 and noticed that the car seems to be less 'balanced' (I guess in my opinion) then it was stock, probably because the stock power alot more manageable. I've only done 1 track day at thunderhill but plan to get a few more in (maybe one more this year and a few next).

Without having to fully change my shocks/springs, would putting sways (H&R) as mentioned in other threads to be a negative impact and not worth doing? Or would the only way to get suspension to feel more 'm3 like' is to get full shocks and coil overs?

I wanted to just do modest handling to make the car a bit more responsive and less roll. As for tires, I'm currently running 19in GS-D3's.

Thanks for any feedback you can provide.

If you want significant improvement on your suspension for track, I recommend getting coilovers. No doubt about it--it'll perform, last, and function better than just springs. You want to be able to fine tune the car, not have it preset. Like the KW and JIC coilovers, they can come fully adjustable, giving you the power to really fine tune the handling. And you might want to consider more than just springs/shocks/coilovers--think about struts, braces, and sways

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by dArNeLLi

I've just recently installed the JB3 and noticed that the car seems to be less 'balanced' (I guess in my opinion) then it was stock, probably because the stock power alot more manageable. I've only done 1 track day at thunderhill but plan to get a few more in (maybe one more this year and a few next).

Without having to fully change my shocks/springs, would putting sways (H&R) as mentioned in other threads to be a negative impact and not worth doing? Or would the only way to get suspension to feel more 'm3 like' is to get full shocks and coil overs?

I wanted to just do modest handling to make the car a bit more responsive and less roll. As for tires, I'm currently running 19in GS-D3's.

Thanks for any feedback you can provide.

We are still trying to educate people how important an LSD is to an open diff car like the 335i, especially after adding JB3 and such.

To get the car more M3 like, the first thing is to add a good LSD unit like the Quaife or something similar.The stock suspension is actually not that bad, after the Quaife unit install you can balance the handling with either springs and dampers or anti-roll bars. However, do not add just a rear anti-roll bar if you don't have a good LSD, it will just make that inner tire spin much worse coming out of a corner. A good linear rate spring coil-overs will really help the 335i, then use anti-roll bars to balance between understeer and oversteer.

You wil never get the 335i to feel like the M3 unless you change the front and rear subfames along with M3 specific control arms. The M3 uses less bushings and more joints for less deflection and more feedback to the driver. Suspension geometry is also improved on the M3 vs the 335i.

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by longodj

A non-staggered setup is a compromise? -3 degree of front camber a mess? Have you been on track before? Are you thick?

We run a non-staggered set-up with 18x9 and 265-35-18 tires.

-3 is just right for the front of these cars from our experience and hundreds of laps on the track. Unless somehow your car has little or no body roll, then you may be able to run a bit less camber. Most of the DOT-R and R-compound tires like a few degrees of negative camber anyway!

[uberschnell]

Sway bars can offer a significant improvement in handling with little compromise in ride comfort. It's super important to install as a matched set. I know leftcoastmen felt it made the car tail happy, but I also believe he had only installed the rear bar. I happen to have had the rear installed first and I agree, the car was not balanced. Installing the front fixed that.

Also, ditching the run-flats is a great/cheap improvement.