335i Lowered alignment problems

[Kushina]

I recently had an alignment done, got a life time one from NTB not sure if should be crying to smiling they improved somethings and not others, the car is lowered slightly. I'm trying to improve the handling as much as possible without compromising on too much tread wear. I mostly drive it on public roads and freeways, I don't want to lose anything in straight line performance but at the same time I want to improve handling in turns. The car doesn't feel like an ultimate driving machine to me, in turns it feels like its going to flip (exgarated but you get the idea, i do like taking my turns fast). I like sliding/drifting turns (havn't done it yet but plan too) so I'm guessing oversteer is what I want but I don't want to sacrifice general handling of the car to induce oversteer, BMWs are suppose to like to oversteer naturally right?

The car has KW V3s, Michelin PSS 255/35/18s rear and 225/40/18s up front (will be changing tires soon as their getting low on tread). I've attached a copy of the alignment spec sheet from NTB. It does feel slightly more planted in turns than it used to but I'm not quite happy as it feels like it wasn't at where it was 20k miles ago. They were saying it was very difficult to adjust it and that they couldn't do more (guys seemed kind of leezy and not wanting to do more work, the initial spec sheet they gave me was of an 2007 E46 Sedan, i then had them print the E92 sports coupe spec sheet and they said it does't matter as the suspension is the same (smells like bs as well). So I'm attaching the E46 as well, since that is what they based their work off of. The E92 print out I got has things highlighted that don't meet the spec.

Also... if a component is listed as being in spec if it is between 25 and 75 is it better to have it in the middle or closer to one of the extremes. I guess this answer will vary depending on what I want and the different components. It seems like they did a piss poor and hurried job. But he said nothing could be adjusted more than it already was, which also smells like bs.

Last few things, I might be imaging it but the steering feels lighter and maybe not as precise.
I've heard about pulling some kind of pin which allows lowerd cars to come into alignment spec better, what is this pin ? And should I do it ?

Results:
E46 Spec Sheet: http://oi60.tinypic.com/2rgp9ox.jpg
E92 Sports Coupe Sheet: http://oi57.tinypic.com/24wrbsw.jpg


Post is a copy paste from a PM, sorry if addressing is a bit weird.



I am closing this thread as of now and will determine if anything is worth even looking at...?
Please keep your comments to yourselves (the ones that cause issues such as this)...

AT Moderator
Bartman39

 

[thomsbrain]

For starters, don't ever go back to that alignment shop. Your final alignment is... not aligned. They didn't match camber left/right, and they didn't even measure your caster!

Find a shop that specializes in alignments for performance/track cars. Find a track-oriented BMW forum for some starting-place alignment specs to align to.

With that strut front suspension, you're going to want as much negative camber and positive caster as possible.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

Also, I hate to break it to you, but a 335 on (properly set up) KW V3s and PSS is going to have grip for days so it will probably take considerable effort to powerslide corners in this thing, to the point where it would be extra reckless on any public road.

 

[Kushina]

Also, I hate to break it to you, but a 335 on (properly set up) KW V3s and PSS is going to have grip for days so it will probably take considerable effort to powerslide corners in this thing, to the point where it would be extra reckless on any public road.

Their adjustable so shouldn't be a problem right? And if your going fast enough on a turn it'll lose traction right? I haven't done it yet, but I'm thinking of mostly rainy situations in empty areas like autocross or something cheap then tracks when I get better at it.

I've gotten it to lose traction a few times before by flicking the steering wheel while accelerating. I think that's what I did, it's been a while. But ideally that's what I want I want it to be a handling beast unless I force it by doing something like that to lose traction.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

That's my point. In order to break traction you'll have to apply more power, hit at a faster speed, or do it in lower traction environments. It will be more difficult to control when you do break traction and the consequences of fucking up will be much greater. Please don't go dicking around on public roads like this with no experience.

 

[Ferzerp]

If you want your car to drive like crap (i.e. have no grip), don't use the best street tires made (Pilot Super Sports)...

Also, don't do this. You don't know what you're doing and are going to hurt someone.

 

[SniperWulf]

Their adjustable so shouldn't be a problem right? And if your going fast enough on a turn it'll lose traction right? I haven't done it yet, but I'm thinking of mostly rainy situations in empty areas like autocross or something cheap then tracks when I get better at it.

I've gotten it to lose traction a few times before by flicking the steering wheel while accelerating. I think that's what I did, it's been a while. But ideally that's what I want I want it to be a handling beast unless I force it by doing something like that to lose traction.

These 2 paragraphs really make you sound more inexperienced than your OP. Please don't do anything silly and get yourself (and possibly someone else) killed.

 

[Insomniator]

This OP scares me. How did you attain such a car in the first place?

 

[Kushina]

It's not happening on public roads.... or places where obstructions are in place, not looking to die or damage the car. Nor burnouts. Jeez so many mothers on here.

If you want your car to drive like crap (i.e. have no grip), don't use the best street tires made (Pilot Super Sports)...

Also, don't do this. You don't know what you're doing and are going to hurt someone.

I'm with you there, the sliding is just a weekend thing when the tires are worn out and suspension needs replacing due to high mileage anyway.

There's safe ways and times to have fun with a car without burning your wallet or others.

This OP scares me. How did you attain such a car in the first place?

You must be the same guy who put armor all tire shine on his tires and wondered why he skidded into a tree on a rainy day.

 

[Insomniator]

You must be the same guy who put armor all tire shine on his tires and wondered why he skidded into a tree on a rainy day.

Not even going to respond this comment.


You sound like some clueless kid that will get someone hurt. Also, why did you bring a nice modded 335i to a crappy chain alignment place? Flicking the steering wheel while accelerating to lose traction, what safe area do this at?

 

[LevelSea]

Found the OP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az_Vlgy5dbM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ae9ckdU-Go

 

[Kushina]

Not even going to respond this comment.


You sound like some clueless kid that will get someone hurt. Also, why did you bring a nice modded 335i to a crappy chain alignment place? Flicking the steering wheel while accelerating to lose traction, what safe area do this at?

Its a 5 year plan and I'm going to be doing quite a few suspension mods in the future, as long as I know the intricacies and do the mods on the car that enable what I want they shouldn't have a problem aligning it to the specs I provide.

Let's get back to the alignment issue.

 

[Insomniator]

Found the OP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az_Vlgy5dbM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ae9ckdU-Go

in future news...

 

[JulesMaximus]

Found the OP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az_Vlgy5dbM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ae9ckdU-Go

:thumbsup: This was my first thought on reading this post as well.

And those three fucking idiots deserve to die for driving like that on public roads.