[phanamous]

How close can we get the M340i to a stock M3 for handling and steering feel?

And what mods would be needed?

[Chubbiejones]

Originally Posted by phanamous

How close can we get the M340i to a stock M3 for handling and steering feel?

And what mods would be needed?

I’m sure with enough funds you can get close but a M340i will never be a M3.

Where to start:

- H&R Front and Rear Swaybars
- Dinan Monoballs
- SPL Front & Rear Adjustable Swaybar Endlinks
- Ohlins R/T or KW V3 Coilovers
- CPM Chassis Tuning (strut tower brace, lower brace, rear brace, etc)

The above is a good list of equipment that will get you close, but again, it will never be an M.

[peelerec]

Originally Posted by phanamous

How close can we get the M340i to a stock M3 for handling and steering feel?

And what mods would be needed?

^Exactly what Chubbiejones mentioned. I second his list. Pretty much the closest we can get to the handling of an M3, but even then, it will always lack the grip and same chassis feel as an M3.
As someone who tracks my M340i and who has tracked on 4 occasions G80 M3 RWD and Xdrive, the handling capability is a huge difference.
But I will also say, most people don’t track so most don’t need the handling capabilities of the M3 anyways.

[phanamous]

Thanks for the feedback. Won't be tracking the car otherwise I would order an M3. Just looking for the best way to improve the M340i steering feel and precision as it didn't impress during my test drive.

How much would this help?

- M Adaptive suspension (w/ Dinan springs)
- Dinan Monoballs
- CPM Chassis Tuning (strut tower brace, lower brace, rear brace, etc)
- Staggered, lighter, wider 19" wheels and summer tires setup

Thinking Sway bars and/or coilovers after if I'm still not happy.

[GA/\/\/\/\A_CT]

Just to be clear, the above suspension mods will run about $10k +/- with labor. Also, it will likely reduce the resale value of your car unless you sell it to someone who values the mods (rare).

So, if you figure it’s $10k cash out of pocket and maybe 5-10% less value when selling the car, it may actually be a cheaper cost of ownership to buy the m3.

(Initial cost plus mods) minus resale value when you sell it.

[phanamous]

Fully understood. I usually keep cars for a long while so not too concern about resale.

For various reasons, M3 doesn't make sense for me as a DD with it being close to $40K Cdn difference up here in Canada. Too much NVH and I would have to rev the hell out of it to enjoy the power band.

The M340i's B58 power band is perfect for DD and long road trips after some minor mods along with the lower NVH. Just need to improve its steering/handling a bit. Willing to put $10K into mods.

Originally Posted by GA/\/\/\/\A_CT

Just to be clear, the above suspension mods will run about $10k +/- with labor. Also, it will likely reduce the resale value of your car unless you sell it to someone who values the mods (rare).

So, if you figure it’s $10k cash out of pocket and maybe 5-10% less value when selling the car, it may actually be a cheaper cost of ownership to buy the m3.

(Initial cost plus mods) minus resale value when you sell it.

[peelerec]

Originally Posted by phanamous

Thanks for the feedback. Won't be tracking the car otherwise I would order an M3. Just looking for the best way to improve the M340i steering feel and precision as it didn't impress during my test drive.

How much would this help?

- M Adaptive suspension (w/ Dinan springs)
- Dinan Monoballs
- CPM Chassis Tuning (strut tower brace, lower brace, rear brace, etc)
- Staggered, lighter, wider 19" wheels and summer tires setup

Thinking Sway bars and/or coilovers after if I'm still not happy.

I can’t comment on the adaptive suspension as I have never owned a bmw that had that option.
Your list is a great starting point. The biggest difference to me personally that I felt stock vs modifications was when I installed the dinan monoballs and then had an alignment done by a performance shop to accommodate my daily driver + weekend track use of my car. That really made the car suddenly feel more direct and steering improved vastly.

Also FYI- as Chubbie and I have mentioned in other threads, there is also KC Design in Taiwan that has braces. Enhanced Modification in Canada also has a chassis brace.

[phanamous]

Surprising that the monoballs made such a difference. Or the alignment made more of a difference? What did the shop do if you don't mind me asking? More toe out for the front tires?

Originally Posted by peelerec

I can’t comment on the adaptive suspension as I have never owned a bmw that had that option.
Your list is a great starting point. The biggest difference to me personally that I felt stock vs modifications was when I installed the dinan monoballs and then had an alignment done by a performance shop to accommodate my daily driver + weekend track use of my car. That really made the car suddenly feel more direct and steering improved vastly.

Also FYI- as Chubbie and I have mentioned in other threads, there is also KC Design in Taiwan that has braces. Enhanced Modification in Canada also has a chassis brace.

[peelerec]

Originally Posted by phanamous

Surprising that the monoballs made such a difference. Or the alignment made more of a difference? What did the shop do if you don't mind me asking? More toe out for the front tires?

For added steering feel and the removal of numbness, the monoballs made the biggest difference. But for piecing together the monoballs, front strut braces, springs, was the alignment.
See attached. This is without camber plates. That is next on the list along with coilovers.

[GA/\/\/\/\A_CT]

@peelerec that’s so cool. Is that camber/toe/caster settup the right one for a stock ride height xdrive, too?

[peelerec]

Originally Posted by GA/\/\/\/\A_CT

@peelerec that’s so cool. Is that camber/toe/caster settup the right one for a stock ride height xdrive, too?

I do not know what the correct alignment would be for stock height X drive, but probably not exactly the same since the dinan springs have a recommended alignment setting, coupled with individualized alignment settings.

[Dj_Seph]

I'd say my car is near handling save for power to an M3. I run with a group of g80 and I'm never left behind when it comes to corners.

My mods are:
Fortune Auto Coilovers (comes with camber plates and front links)
Enhanced Modifications Mid Brace
BMW Strut bar.
-2.3 up front and -1.8 out back.

Currently looking for a 6piston brake upgrade and will be doing the SPL rear track links and arms soon.

[Bee Pee]

Originally Posted by peelerec

For added steering feel and the removal of numbness, the monoballs made the biggest difference. But for piecing together the monoballs, front strut braces, springs, was the alignment.
See attached. This is without camber plates. That is next on the list along with coilovers.

When you get yr nxt alignment you need to reduce F&R toe.
Suggest

F 0 to 0.05deg toe-in each side

R ca 0.05deg but min 0.02 more toe-in than fronts

[phanamous]

Good to hear it can get close to an M3 in the corners.
Which of those mods were noticeable to you assuming they weren't all done at the same time?

Originally Posted by Dj_Seph

I'd say my car is near handling save for power to an M3. I run with a group of g80 and I'm never left behind when it comes to corners.

My mods are:
Fortune Auto Coilovers (comes with camber plates and front links)
Enhanced Modifications Mid Brace
BMW Strut bar.
-2.3 up front and -1.8 out back.

Currently looking for a 6piston brake upgrade and will be doing the SPL rear track links and arms soon.

[Dj_Seph]

Originally Posted by phanamous

Good to hear it can get close to an M3 in the corners.
Which of those mods were noticeable to you assuming they weren't all done at the same time?

Definitely the coilovers. Was a very very huge step in handling.

[phanamous]

Is the stock BMW suspension that badly tuned? Was yours stock or adaptive?

How much did you lower?
Wondering if the camber tweak made the big difference you're noticing also.

Thx.

Originally Posted by Dj_Seph

Definitely the coilovers. Was a very very huge step in handling.