M3 spindles

[dfpat10]

I am have at a set of M3 spindles and want to know if they were originally from a 1995 E36 M3 or a later year. Can anyone tell me how to distinguish between E36 M3 spindles?[/FONT]

[SHAHAB323IS]

lol font, those in the pic are not m3 wheels sorry to tell ya

[Kevin325i]

Originally posted by M3DUDE@Sep 5 2004, 10:09 PM
lol font, those in the pic are not m3 wheels sorry to tell ya

Spindles are what the rotor attaches too. Not the wheels.

The spindles should be the same for the years. I've found no information to state otherwise. If you have heard some variations between the M3 spindles I'd like to hear what they are cause next summer I'd like to upgrade.

[SHAHAB323IS]

lol i thought he meant wheels for some reason, wow i'm retarded

[dfpat10]

m3dude a drag racers would seek to lighten the car and not add heavier more durable parts like those found on the M3s. Being from the racing capital I would have expected you to know the e36 3.2 M3 came with less camber than the '95 e36 3.0, and the lower control arm and tie rods on the newer E36s are not parallel to each other, as they are on the '95s. Although only off by about a degree, this affects the vehicle's bumpsteer, making the 3.2’s easier to handle for the average driver on the streets.

The '96-up M3 bumpsteers inward more when the suspension hits a bump, or, more importantly for me when entering a turn. The '95 M3 pretty much has no toe change when the car enters a turn. The '96-on M3 adds toe-in, [making] the car more predictable, but it adding understeer.

Many shock housing design brings the 3.2-liter M3's lower arm and tie rod parallel to each other, like '95 M3 specs. In order to bring an E36 car's bump steer back to stock '95 M3 specs, Ground Control happens to carry different strut housings for the E36 325, '95 3.0-liter M3 and '96-on 3.2-liter M3. I would like to know which spindles in order to obtain the right struts. Can you help me?

[///M Power]

I'm gonna take a wild guess and say you probably know the answer and you are trying to show off your knowledge of e36's to us. If M3DUDE knew that much about m3's at his age, id be sad for him. sucha loser who nvr hung out with his friends. thanksuflly youth of america has btter things to do for now.

[SHAHAB323IS]

Originally posted by dfpat10@Sep 7 2004, 02:19 AM
m3dude a drag racers would seek to lighten the car and not add heavier more durable parts like those found on the M3s. Being from the racing capital I would have expected you to know the e36 3.2 M3 came with less camber than the '95 e36 3.0, and the lower control arm and tie rods on the newer E36s are not parallel to each other, as they are on the '95s. Although only off by about a degree, this affects the vehicle's bumpsteer, making the 3.2’s easier to handle for the average driver on the streets.

The '96-up M3 bumpsteers inward more when the suspension hits a bump, or, more importantly for me when entering a turn. The '95 M3 pretty much has no toe change when the car enters a turn. The '96-on M3 adds toe-in, [making] the car more predictable, but it adding understeer.

Many shock housing design brings the 3.2-liter M3's lower arm and tie rod parallel to each other, like '95 M3 specs. In order to bring an E36 car's bump steer back to stock '95 M3 specs, Ground Control happens to carry different strut housings for the E36 325, '95 3.0-liter M3 and '96-on 3.2-liter M3. I would like to know which spindles in order to obtain the right struts. Can you help me?

sorry i'm not a bmw tech buddy, so don't get pissed

[Kevin325i]

The 96's had different strut hats, that should be the only difference. They were offset and are interchangeable between the years, but early 325s have smaller ones and later 325s share them with all other 3 series 6 cylinder cars.

[dfpat10]

m3dude,

I ‘m not pissed at you. I just felt you totally missed the question, so I expanded on the question for further clarity.

///M Power,

No I’m not a BMW Tech trying to impress you with my knowledge; I just like to work on cars in my spare time.

Kevin325i,

So the 1992 325is has different strut hats than the later M3s. When you say smaller are you talking about the whole strut hat including the bolt hole pattern? Visibly looking at the 95 M3 and the 92 325is I can’t tell the difference. Are they different or are they the same? Can the strut mounts be easily modified or do I need to seek out the smaller design hats for my struts 92 325is?

[Kevin325i]

5/92 and early have a different top end to the suspension. And the even early 10/91 and up have a strut mounted sway.

I think turner sells a kit to update everything but I'm not positive. It's one of the main tuner companies though.

If your car is 6/92 or later, then you don't have to worry about it and it should be interchangeable.

[dfpat10]

Ok my last question concerning spindles is that I noticed when I installed the Brembo Brakes on the front of the 95 M3 that a little grinding on the factory control arm around the ball joint was necessary. The Brembo Brake Kit says “Note: (1995 E36 M3 models require minor modification to the lower control arm outboard of the ball joint)”. This note leads me to believe that the spindle on the 95 is different than 1996 on spindles, but I have not installed Brembo Brakes on any other M3 other than 95. Here is a web page with the note (http://www.coximport.com/brembo/gt-bmw.html) I referred to. So are you certain it’s just the strut hat?

[Kevin325i]

95s have a offset lower control arm bushing. I imagine that's why there was grinding.