[VA757bmw]

Question i ordered a set of powerflex poly urethane bushings. Somebody commented against using urethane bushings altogther opinion?

[Alpina_B3_Lux]

Originally Posted by justinco

Great stuff, love all the detail and jealous of the track you have access too

Thanks for your kind words! If you're ever in Europe, let me know and we can do a few laps on the Nürburgring.

Originally Posted by VA757bmw

Question i ordered a set of powerflex poly urethane bushings. Somebody commented against using urethane bushings altogther opinion?

I can't comment on this question as I have no personal experience with this.

I would recommend that you ask this question in the suspension sub-forum, where you're more likely to receive an answer.

Alpina_B3_Lux

[BMW_Boy7]

What a impeccable written review, got some of the most confidence about those reviewed products, looks great..

[Malbolge]

Alpina, have you found a good solution with your suspension experiments that help (noticeably I might add) with tramlining? Or where you live the roads are so good you never really have a problem with tramlining?

I think the suspension is one of the weaker points of the E9x - not necessarily cost wise as parts are cheap, but the way they're put together to give a universally good driving experience. On smooth roads the 3 series is as stables as a bigger 5 series, but go on poorer roads and car fidgets, skips and moves about way too much. Would you agree?

[DaFish]

Originally Posted by research

Alpina, have you found a good solution with your suspension experiments that help (noticeably I might add) with tramlining? Or where you live the roads are so good you never really have a problem with tramlining?

I think the suspension is one of the weaker points of the E9x - not necessarily cost wise as parts are cheap, but the way they're put together to give a universally good driving experience. On smooth roads the 3 series is as stables as a bigger 5 series, but go on poorer roads and car fidgets, skips and moves about way too much. Would you agree?

The mods I have done have all but eliminated tramlining. I think the combinatino of the floppy bushings, hard side wall RFT tires are the reason.

Keep the suspension firm and in place (m3 bushings), make the tires complaint and allow some bend and allow for greater grip - non-RFT tires.

Just the M3 wishbones/tension arms in the front, with non-rft tires did helped immensely for tramlining.

EDIT: Yes, stock the tramlining was very bad - you had to keep 2 hands on the wheel.

[Malbolge]

Originally Posted by DaFish

The mods I have done have all but eliminated tramlining. I think the combinatino of the floppy bushings, hard side wall RFT tires are the reason.

Keep the suspension firm and in place (m3 bushings), make the tires complaint and allow some bend and allow for greater grip - non-RFT tires.

Just the M3 wishbones/tension arms in the front, with non-rft tires did helped immensely for tramlining.

EDIT: Yes, stock the tramlining was very bad - you had to keep 2 hands on the wheel.

So just to make sure I got this - M3 wishbones -- but what is "tension arms"? Got pics of the parts installed? I don't want to make the car a track weapon so don't need to go crazy. IF upgrade can be done in under 300-400 EUR I'd be pleased (600 usd).

Tramlining is horrible with even normal tyres as I live in a country where people use spike tyres in city (yeah) for 5 months a year due to long winters so you can imagine what it does to non-granite asphalt (i'd dig for pictures but you'll think eastern europe stereotypes are spot on after that ).

[DaFish]

Originally Posted by research

So just to make sure I got this - M3 wishbones -- but what is "tension arms"? Got pics of the parts installed? I don't want to make the car a track weapon so don't need to go crazy. IF upgrade can be done in under 300-400 EUR I'd be pleased (600 usd).

Tramlining is horrible with even normal tyres as I live in a country where people use spike tyres in city (yeah) for 5 months a year due to long winters so you can imagine what it does to non-granite asphalt (i'd dig for pictures but you'll think eastern europe stereotypes are spot on after that ).

Tension rods and wishbones:
http://www.hpashop.com/BMW-M3-Front-...nsion-rods.htm


http://www.hpashop.com/BMW-M3-Front-...r-wishbone.htm

If you have done the non-rft tires, then do just these and don't change anything else. Steering will be more firm, but nice and direct. This is not expensive, you might need an alignment.

[Malbolge]

Originally Posted by DaFish

Tension rods and wishbones:
http://www.hpashop.com/BMW-M3-Front-...nsion-rods.htm


http://www.hpashop.com/BMW-M3-Front-...r-wishbone.htm

If you have done the non-rft tires, then do just these and don't change anything else. Steering will be more firm, but nice and direct. This is not expensive, you might need an alignment.

Thx!

[cvc 22349a]

Alpina: I see you got the Ohlins R&T c/o suspension. How about a review?

[Alpina_B3_Lux]

Originally Posted by cvc 22349a

Alpina: I see you got the Ohlins R&T c/o suspension. How about a review?

Only a few days ago I had the first chance of trying it out on the Nürburgring for 8 laps, and initial impressions are very good.

I'll do a detailed review when I've had the first trackday, most likely (which is in June). If I can do some more laps before that, I may do a preliminary first review before that, but that's also subject to me finding the time for it.

Alpina_B3_Lux

[SF E90]

Alpina, do you have any problems with rubbing after you got the wheels, and car lowered? BTW nice whip.

[Alpina_B3_Lux]

Originally Posted by SF E90

Alpina, do you have any problems with rubbing after you got the wheels, and car lowered? BTW nice whip.

Which wheels? I've always had Alpina 19" wheels with 235mm front and 265mm rear tires. The rear fenders are slightly flared, if that's what you mean.

Nowadays the car is far less lowered as I have replaced the Bilstein suspension with an Öhlins one. Much better.

Alpina_B3_Lux

[Alpina_B3_Lux]

Got my car back since Saturday - airbox looks good.

No driving impressions yet, as I have to break in the new clutch (HPF Feramic stage 1) before I go WOT. The AR Design additional oil cooler had to be removed as it was in the way of the bigger front inlet tube.





A few photos before the install:











Alpina_B3_Lux

[nitehawk]

Looks great. Any plans to dyno for before/after results?

Ps. I'm looking forward to seeing your Ohlins R&T Review

[Alpina_B3_Lux]

Originally Posted by nitehawk

Looks great. Any plans to dyno for before/after results?

Ps. I'm looking forward to seeing your Ohlins R&T Review

Yeah I know, I need to do that, as well as for the Performance Friction BBK. Time is the problem - I also need to fine-tune the COBB maps with PTF, then do the methanol injection maps, do a dyno, organise the photo-shoot (and prior paintwork repair) for my car in three weeks and drive on the Nürburgring...

Before/after results won't be possible for the airbox, as I haven't been on the dyno for a while (as the COBB maps are not yet completely figured out). I will definitely do a dyno with all the current mods, and also post some logs. I'm also curious whether COBB can make use of the bigger inlet pipes with specific parameters of the DME (German tuners have said that this is possible).

Alpina_B3_Lux

[scuber]

wow.. superb article~

[Matrez]

My attention span is no more than 10 minutes, but it has taken me a lot more to read your full review It must be one of the best reviews Ive ever read Marcel !

You have discussed the most popular 335i modifications in the great structural representation clearly laid.

I must say the car is great in every aspect, definitely one of the best 335i s I have ever seen. I suppose you mod list is far from over. You mensioned that you have been thinking of upgrading your turbos to Turbo Dynamics Stage 2 ones. Will you put this idea into life ? I suppose there is enought power under the hood (around 500BHP), but the project will never die

Visually the car looks as good as mechanically ! Some might dislike the alloy wheel choice, but I would say it is unique which is good.

Wish you even bigger smile in the future.

Regards,

Mat.

[enrita]

he has already RB turbos installed ;-)

[zltm089]

wow!!! ...Marcel...things are moving on ur side!!!....the car must sound really lovely with that airbox!...when r u down London mate?...give me a shout...i want to hear the beast...

[Alpina_B3_Lux]

Originally Posted by enrita

he has already RB turbos installed ;-)

Yeah, there are quite a few things now that I haven't yet had time to write a review about but that are installed on my car for some time. Such as:

• Öhlins Road & Track coilover (as a replacement for the Bilstein B16 RC)
• Performance Friction Big Brake Kit
• VAC differential cover
• HPF Feramic stage 1 clutch
• Rob Beck Turbos
• Alpina B3S replika airbox + larger turbo inlet pipes
• COBB Access Port Tuning (replacing GIAC stage 2 flash)
• COBB Access Port Pro Tune from ProTuningFreaks

Originally Posted by zltm089

wow!!! ...Marcel...things are moving on ur side!!!....the car must sound really lovely with that airbox!...when r u down London mate?...give me a shout...i want to hear the beast...

I hope to find time to get to London still this year, but that's not for sure. We'll see!

Alpina_B3_Lux

[turugara]

Looking forward to your reviews!

[InsaneDriver]

Any infos concerning the inlet tubes?

Link, price, etc?