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T.J. 
Bavarian-Board Contributor
Joined: 22-September-2003
Location: Cork, Ireland
Points: 2332
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 Posted: 22-December-2005 at 03:46 |
I run 36Psi on the front and 34Psi on the rear at the mo, on 225/45 17". I haven't dented the rims (a depressingly easy task over here!) since I put them on 20,000 miles ago, and it strikes a reasonable grip/ride compromise. I've always ran around 36psi on low-pros without an issue.
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pma1ums
Really Senior Member II
Joined: 12-October-2004
Location: central uk
Points: 1148
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Posted: 22-December-2005 at 05:03 |
 T.J. wrote:
Just enjoy the slippiness,kick the tail out on roundabouts, and be wide everywhere else is my advice 
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very true
i really do think that 3s are very well balanced in the way that you can feel a slide coming on and i seem to find them very easy to control
i allways turn my tc off ;the reason being is that i find it a more rewarding driving experiance
when we get the snow its allways better to turn the tc off because if you keep it on ;it just cuts out all power to the wheels and you just end up getting no were fast
just my 2 pennys worth
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scarface
Really Senior Member I
Joined: 16-June-2004
Location: Surrey, UK
Points: 414
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Posted: 22-December-2005 at 05:07 |
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Don't worry, we're catching you up. Our roads are getting into a shocking state over here. The problem is that so many roads now need ripping up and doing properly that it can't be done.
That's strange, I always thought that you put more air in the rear than the front. Mine are 225 40 18 on the front and 255 35 18 on the rear. I will have to keep adjusting I think.
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T.J.
Bavarian-Board Contributor
Joined: 22-September-2003
Location: Cork, Ireland
Points: 2332
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Posted: 22-December-2005 at 05:40 |
I put a bit more into the front cos:
1. It improves the steering response a smidge
2. More weight over the front (I know BMW are supposedly 50:50 but I think it applies to 316i's, not 328/330s somehow)
3.the impact is always bigger on the front - by the time it gets to the rear there always feels like there is an element of absorption already done by the front suspension/tyre and subsequent body movement. there is some technical support for this that I read before, but it fell out of my head soon after I put it in! Something to do with phasing. That's why there is less suspension travel in the rear too.
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sleeper
Really Senior Member II
Original and STILL best
Joined: 26-March-2004
Location: East Sussex/Kent border
Points: 2098
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Posted: 22-December-2005 at 06:55 |
point 1. agreed- every car I have had I have run 1 psi under figures and definately makes a difference!
point 2. you'd be surprised - 316/8 are iron blocked - sixes are ally, not much difference in the balance, especially with the batter in the boot on sixes.
point 3. anything you say TJ...
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T.J.
Bavarian-Board Contributor
Joined: 22-September-2003
Location: Cork, Ireland
Points: 2332
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Posted: 22-December-2005 at 06:59 |
Re: point 3 ~  ok ok I'll do some digging to try support my notion!
it would be interesting (re: point 2) to get them on a weighbridge to suss weight distribution out, wouldn't it?
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sleeper
Really Senior Member II
Original and STILL best
Joined: 26-March-2004
Location: East Sussex/Kent border
Points: 2098
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Posted: 22-December-2005 at 07:08 |
yeah, I've been onto a mate who owns the race team I used to work for as he has corner weight scales.
don't know anyone with a 318 though....
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scarface
Really Senior Member I
Joined: 16-June-2004
Location: Surrey, UK
Points: 414
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Posted: 26-December-2005 at 11:26 |
I reckon the alloy 6s are still heavier than the iron 4s as the front tyres look a lot flatter than the rears at the same pressure. All I want is a bit less spin from the rears, I'm sure the fronts are OKish, I don't like light steering anyway. I won't be happy if I've broken something or knocked it out of alignment already! I'm beginning to wonder if the E46 is sturdy enough for me 
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Alan323i
Groupie
Joined: 29-September-2005
Points: 78
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Posted: 27-December-2005 at 09:55 |
Come to think of it i put all my preassures at 30 psi the last time i filled them up! Could be the problem but they were only 28 when i did it.
The book says somthing daft like 26/34!?!
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scarface
Really Senior Member I
Joined: 16-June-2004
Location: Surrey, UK
Points: 414
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Posted: 28-December-2005 at 15:17 |
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26 does sound daft. Maybe try 28 all round, sounds a little low though. In my experience a few psi can make a lot of difference.
I'd check out what other people with your car/wheels run on.
Edited by scarface
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Alan323i
Groupie
Joined: 29-September-2005
Points: 78
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Posted: 29-December-2005 at 13:28 |
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I've done 28 front and 36 rear and it's made a noticable difference but it is still very unstable :( Bushes might be shot all round??
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T.J.
Bavarian-Board Contributor
Joined: 22-September-2003
Location: Cork, Ireland
Points: 2332
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Posted: 30-December-2005 at 06:01 |
In terms of suspension, if you soften the front relative to the rear, you get better turn-in and more propensity to oversteer. Stiffen the front relative to the rear, and more understeer is the result.
In my opinion, 36psi is more than enough for the rear - no matter what your set up, that pressure will make the rear end feel keen to slip rather than grip.
when I bought the 328i the bushes were shot, and the car was lethal - the first night I had it I was going up a straight but very bumpy hill around 5,000rpm in 2nd and the rear stepped out so much I had to go half into the opposite lane to gather it up. I did all the bushes and it made a huge difference. The eibach lowering springs weren't quite right for me either, so I changed the whole setup to a Schnitzer rig. Now it drives like a WRX - tight but acceptable ride and great body control.
Anyway, going back on track, bushes mightn't be a bad place to start with alignment done properly afterward. Drop the pressure on the rear a smidge, and maybe further down the road 2 new tyres if you're still not happy. Anf keep us up to date with the tweaks and how they work out for you!
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E36 traction control???