problems with recently bought E36 M3

neil price · Wed, May-09-2007, 01:47:16 PM

Hi,

I have already posted this thread on the welcome centre but was advised to list it in the E36 section as it receives more traffic.
I have just purchased a 97 e36 M3 4 door saloon with 84K on the clock. Having previously driven front wheel drive cars, i obviously expected things to be a little different with the M3! However, i have noticed at high speeds (80mph+) the car appears to become very 'light' and wayward at the front end and the steering 'twitchy' to the point where i have to apply the brakes sharpish for the fear of losing control of the car completely!
I'm used to driving a clio 172 sport so is this a case of just getting used to the M3 or is there something wrong?

Help!

E52fanatic · Wed, May-09-2007, 01:51:13 PM

Welcome to the forum, but this is the E92 M3 section. Try two doors down.

Good luck.

M3_biggest_fan · Wed, May-09-2007, 03:27:42 PM

Welcome to the world of rear wheel drive, it's a bit hard to adapt to the new sensations of it!! The lightness of the steering is usual and the same happens with the brakes, you have to see that in front wheel drive cars the steering is in the same wheels of the transmition to the power on the road and in the M3 is completely the oposite. But the presition of the steering wheel should be perfect, and probably in not long you will feel it this way!! Stay calm and try to adapt slowly, don't think you will go as fast as you went on your clio from the begining, first you have to know how the rear end will oversteer, the way of pushing the throtle, the way of breaking, everything is diferent, so take your time!!!

emme tre · Wed, May-09-2007, 03:55:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neil price

Hi,

I have already posted this thread on the welcome centre but was advised to list it in the E36 section as it receives more traffic.
I have just purchased a 97 e36 M3 4 door saloon with 84K on the clock. Having previously driven front wheel drive cars, i obviously expected things to be a little different with the M3! However, i have noticed at high speeds (80mph+) the car appears to become very 'light' and wayward at the front end and the steering 'twitchy' to the point where i have to apply the brakes sharpish for the fear of losing control of the car completely!
I'm used to driving a clio 172 sport so is this a case of just getting used to the M3 or is there something wrong?

Help!

I owned a 99 M3 for 3 years, brand new up to 36k. It's tough to compare new cars to old, but I can tell you that during my span the car seemed to get better as it went over 80mph. It seemed to hunker down and really hug the road. I was doing 135-140 and she felt and handled great, no fear there.
You sound like you have front end issues, which you will inherit w/ a 10+ year old car w/ 80+k on the clock. Have it checked out!

**CARVER** · Wed, May-09-2007, 08:41:15 PM

Moved......

Bimmer325 · Wed, May-09-2007, 08:44:24 PM

I would just have it looked at...

I remember going from my first car (325i) to a VW GTi was weird. It was a definite difference from a push to a weird pull sensation...

I have to say I like the push better that I have now again.

NeonShadow · Wed, May-09-2007, 09:42:40 PM

Sounds like that some of the suspension components might be getting worn out... I remember reading about something similar.... I'm sure experts will chip in soon

BoilermakerM3 · Wed, May-09-2007, 09:54:56 PM

Definatly get it looked at. The car should feel SOLID at high speeds.

Cyrus · Wed, May-09-2007, 10:24:54 PM

As far as what is wrong, I have no idea, but it is not normal. The car does not have a "light" front end feel at all.

baltimoreM3 · Wed, May-09-2007, 11:27:09 PM

If you don't have the means to do things yourself (DIY) have the front and rear suspension components checked out by a good independent shop.

Wed, May-09-2007, 01:47:16 PM	#1
neil price Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 9 Reputation: 0	problems with recently bought E36 M3 Hi, I have already posted this thread on the welcome centre but was advised to list it in the E36 section as it receives more traffic. I have just purchased a 97 e36 M3 4 door saloon with 84K on the clock. Having previously driven front wheel drive cars, i obviously expected things to be a little different with the M3! However, i have noticed at high speeds (80mph+) the car appears to become very 'light' and wayward at the front end and the steering 'twitchy' to the point where i have to apply the brakes sharpish for the fear of losing control of the car completely! I'm used to driving a clio 172 sport so is this a case of just getting used to the M3 or is there something wrong? Help!

Wed, May-09-2007, 03:27:42 PM	#3
M3_biggest_fan Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 10 Reputation: 0	Take your time.... Welcome to the world of rear wheel drive, it's a bit hard to adapt to the new sensations of it!! The lightness of the steering is usual and the same happens with the brakes, you have to see that in front wheel drive cars the steering is in the same wheels of the transmition to the power on the road and in the M3 is completely the oposite. But the presition of the steering wheel should be perfect, and probably in not long you will feel it this way!! Stay calm and try to adapt slowly, don't think you will go as fast as you went on your clio from the begining, first you have to know how the rear end will oversteer, the way of pushing the throtle, the way of breaking, everything is diferent, so take your time!!!

Wed, May-09-2007, 08:44:24 PM	#6
Bimmer325 Estoril Colored Eyes Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 106 Reputation: 0	I would just have it looked at... I remember going from my first car (325i) to a VW GTi was weird. It was a definite difference from a push to a weird pull sensation... I have to say I like the push better that I have now again. __________________ Estoril Style.

Wed, May-09-2007, 09:42:40 PM	#7
NeonShadow Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 1,955 Reputation: 0	Sounds like that some of the suspension components might be getting worn out... I remember reading about something similar.... I'm sure experts will chip in soon __________________ Peter 2010 Accord EX-L Coupe ( - welcome to responsible life...) 2007 Z4 3.0si - Sold 1999 E36 M3 5spd - Sold 2003 350Z Touring 6spd - RIP (murdered by Ford truck )

Wed, May-09-2007, 09:54:56 PM	#8
BoilermakerM3 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Age: 27 Posts: 519 Reputation: 0 Location: Chicago	Definatly get it looked at. The car should feel SOLID at high speeds. __________________ Matt Nease '97 Cosmos M3

Wed, May-09-2007, 01:51:13 PM	#2
E52fanatic Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 83 Reputation: 0	Welcome to the forum, but this is the E92 M3 section. Try two doors down. Good luck.

Wed, May-09-2007, 08:41:15 PM	#5
CARVER Modded Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 2,347 In the garage: '12 PORSCHE CAYMAN Reputation: 579	Moved......

Wed, May-09-2007, 10:24:54 PM	#9
Cyrus Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 11,157 Reputation: 0	As far as what is wrong, I have no idea, but it is not normal. The car does not have a "light" front end feel at all. __________________ 2009 BMW 328i xdrive 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata (for sale)

Wed, May-09-2007, 11:27:09 PM	#10
baltimoreM3 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Age: 36 Posts: 1,528 Reputation: 0 Location: Nashville	If you don't have the means to do things yourself (DIY) have the front and rear suspension components checked out by a good independent shop. __________________ Mine: 1999 M3 Coupe Fern Green,Dinan Stage 3 Suspension,X-brace,AA-Tower Brace,AA CAI,AA Gen 3,AA Performance Software,S.S. Brakelines,UUC Red/TME,VDOs... Hers: 2006 X5 3.0 Black Sapphire, Xenons, Leather

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