[mattoak]

I drive my 2006 325i on a lot of bumpy dirt roads in Colorado. I definitely push its bumpy, non paved road capabilities way harder than most people. Its not a baby, its a finely engineered driving machine, and I drive mine on a lot of types of roads that most people would pee themselves if they took their precious BMW on. In the summer I hike, camp, whitewater kayak, and a lot of those activities require driving on rutted, pot hole filled, dirt roads.

That said, I have the sport suspension so its already lower. I'm planning on doing everything I can to raise it up a bit (spacers, larger tires, maybe non sport springs, etc). I am planning on doing a full suspension overhaul, and know everyone recommends doing the M3 upgraded parts for better performance. However, for the types of roads I frequently find myself on, I can't figure out if the M3 parts, which I assume are stiffer, would be an upgrade or just make a harsher ride and end up wearing out other components faster.

What are your opinions? Should I just stick to the stock suspension parts?

[John 070]

Stick with stock...

[Lshaw]

Ive driven my e90 the sammmeee way when i lived in Utah. I just beat the shit out of my stock suspension. Only managed one bent lower control arm, few blown tires down in Moab....

But now, i am on kwv2s, full m3 bits etc...But i live in NYC now and roads are the same as if i am camping....

-M3 bits, such as control arms are not that much more expensive over stock. Well worth it. A majority of your driving will still be on paved roads, assuming at least. Stiffness/durability shouldn't be an issue, slightly stiffer.

-As for suspension, you can find some inexpensive sport suspension take offs, or another option would be go konis.

-Wheels/tires. 17's would be best? Taller sidewall? Spacers are all all cosmetic, but buy quality and install them evenly.

[BryanDJHP]

I'm in the colorado area my self. Denver to be exact

[fazman]

Originally Posted by mattoak

I drive my 2006 325i on a lot of bumpy dirt roads in Colorado. I definitely push its bumpy, non paved road capabilities way harder than most people. Its not a baby, its a finely engineered driving machine, and I drive mine on a lot of types of roads that most people would pee themselves if they took their precious BMW on. In the summer I hike, camp, whitewater kayak, and a lot of those activities require driving on rutted, pot hole filled, dirt roads.

That said, I have the sport suspension so its already lower. I'm planning on doing everything I can to raise it up a bit (spacers, larger tires, maybe non sport springs, etc). I am planning on doing a full suspension overhaul, and know everyone recommends doing the M3 upgraded parts for better performance. However, for the types of roads I frequently find myself on, I can't figure out if the M3 parts, which I assume are stiffer, would be an upgrade or just make a harsher ride and end up wearing out other components faster.

What are your opinions? Should I just stick to the stock suspension parts?

Just buy the M3 car

[wren57]

You'll never push the limits of the stock stuff legally on public roads anyway...

[Cory S]

Buy a truck for those kinds of roads and commute...

Those types of roads will kill a cars entire suspension components over time.

[chamba002]

I have a e90 335i and a e92 M3. The M3 suspension is stiffer then the 335i. In the M3 I feel the bumps more. You wont really notice a handling difference on daily driving unless you take your car to the track. Since you are driving on bumpy roads or dirty roads, I would stick to stock suspension because the ride would be more comfortable and cheaper. M3 suspension is way more expensive.

[Ravenseal]

You don't need or want an M3 suspension on a 325...might as well buy a completely new car.

[mattoak]

Originally Posted by Cory S

Buy a truck for those kinds of roads and commute...

Those types of roads will kill a cars entire suspension components over time.

Have to replace my wife's car. Planning on buying an Xterra and turning it into the offroad beast. Can't afford two new vehicles. However, there will still be some times where my car has to be on the dirt, but the big bumpy stuff won't happen as much after like a year. And I agree with many other people when they say I'll never push the limits of the stock setup on the streets or the mountain canyons (without seriously endangering my life). Just like people who buy sport bikes and don't take them to the track. You'll never reach their limit unless you are seriously putting your life in danger.

But for real, the upgrade to my suspension parts just going from 10 years, 135k miles to brand new will probably already be night and day.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by wren57

You'll never push the limits of the stock stuff legally on public roads anyway...

I rode in a '06 330i ZSP with professional BMW drivers--it's quite unlikely that anybody here can push their cars the way the professionals did. The 3 has some serious capabilities, that cannot be realized on the street.

[nyc_ymb]

I was just in CO and the roads there are something else. Thought we in NYC had it bad but damn CO is something else.

[Ravenseal]

Originally Posted by mattoak

Have to replace my wife's car. Planning on buying an Xterra and turning it into the offroad beast. Can't afford two new vehicles. However, there will still be some times where my car has to be on the dirt, but the big bumpy stuff won't happen as much after like a year. And I agree with many other people when they say I'll never push the limits of the stock setup on the streets or the mountain canyons (without seriously endangering my life). Just like people who buy sport bikes and don't take them to the track. You'll never reach their limit unless you are seriously putting your life in danger.

But for real, the upgrade to my suspension parts just going from 10 years, 135k miles to brand new will probably already be night and day.

Get a B12 Sportline kit with the M3 kit I posted earlier and call it a day. You won't regret it

[spiderspider]

I had to drive my M3 on a dirt road to drop off my daughter at camp. It was pure hell. Stick with stock.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by Ravenseal

You don't need or want an M3 suspension on a 325...might as well buy a completely new car.

Why wouldn't someone want that?

[Fundguy1]

Not sure why you'd do a complete my suspension. It has some good stuff and some that's inferior to aftermarket. With bumpy roads it'll be even worse. I'd get the m3 front control arms, m3 strut brace, and a b12 bilstein coilover kit, as well as non run flat tires in 17" or 18" and call it a day.

[tlow98]

Op, you take it off any sweet jumps?

[sirdaft1]

Sounds like you need some big 4x4 XI springs!

[snaimpally]

You might try posting this in the "suspension" part of the forum.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=38

[mattoak]

Originally Posted by tlow98

Op, you take it off any sweet jumps?

Not yet. But here's a pic from last Spring of the type of stuff I'm talking about. I got stuck on the way out, but a few friends pushing did the trick. Car is in the bottom right of the picture. Kayaks on top.

[mattoak]

Originally Posted by snaimpally

You might try posting this in the "suspension" part of the forum.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=38

Thanks, didn't realize there were all those sub-sections!

[Fundguy1]

I'd get a cheap 4x4 and stop beating up the car.