Suspension Question

[corbeledg]

I believe that the suspension is electroniclly controlled, so would getting something like a swaybar prevent the built-in suspension from working properly?
Thanks in advanced!

[BeachBunny]

edit

[alanh]

on an e46?

[corbeledg]

Sorry I guess I should have specified that. Wasn't sure if it mattered what year/model etc. Specifically I am refering to a 2001 325 coupe.

[bad man working]

I've never seen an E46 with EDC (electronic damper control) and I don't think it's available if you do have EDC they'll be a switch in the car for sports and soft. If you have got it let me know please, it'll be a first

[Relevart]

To the best of my knowledge neither of 3 series BMW has active (electronically controlled) suspension systems. There are g-sensors, but they are for passive systems. Sway bars will not effect on those those.
The question is interesting: I am trying to think, what effect sway bar would make for active system I worked on, and My first guess would be none, becouse computer would 'learn' parameters of suspension. It could possibly hamper ability of smart system to make suspension softer, if mechanicals already too stiff...
Where it could of have effect is, if car would have EPAS: Electronic Power Assist Steering. I do not believe 3 series has one. But these systems are active at speeds below 30mph, if I my memory serves me well...

[corbeledg]

Thanks for the info guys! very helpful. So on a passave system like the 325, a sway bar could in fact help handling, instead of hurting the car's ability to control suspension?

[peterkulesza]

they all have sway bars.

how they handle is a careful balance between roll and under-over steer. this also depends on the relative stiffness of the sway bars front versus rear.

in general: the stiffer (THICKER ) the bar, the less roll in corners and better handling. however, if the front is too stiff relative to rear (almost all e46 have this problem, including m3), the car will understeer.

the set up on the perf pack is the most instructive: i think this is the perfect balance for an e46. if you look at m3 in comparison, bars are thicker, but front more than rear. dinan set up, which has a relatively softer nose, returns m3 to perfection.

my 2c.