M3 to 318ti complete front suspension swap

[blue318ticali]

Ok so I have a 97 m3 sedan I'm Parting out, my M has full coilovers on the front and the rest is stock. I'm planning on swapping the whole suspension over but I've heard that there is not that much of a benefit over ti? Is that true? Also what else could I swap over from the M. If you had a complete (except engine) m3 sedan auto what would you swap and why???

P.s. If you need any parts from the M3 let me know

[rochey6957]

shocks dont work. they are to long for the ti rear end. spring phyiscally work but are the the propper spring rate. I am running a set of e36 bilstein lowering springs in my ti. They work and the ride is well enough for me.

[blue318ticali]

I have coilovers on the M3 so they should swap over no problem then right? How much of a difference could you tell on the bilsteins after you bought them?

[rochey6957]

well i was running the full front set up for a while but not the rear since the lowering shocks and springs came out of a parts car(sedan) and i could never find definitive info if the sedan springs would work with the ti. I eventually found some info after like 8 months that said it would work. it was an improvement over what i had since the springs were original and the shocks were blown. the car bounces a little hard over big bumps and dips in the road but its not bad. i like it. maybe im used to it.

[teen ti]

i could be wrong but i think you could change the entire front subframes since A pillar forward they're the same. I think bluebimma did something like this in a swap of his

[trikzta]

A pillar forward is the same in cosmetics as in fenders and hood, if I'm not wrong the suspension is not car specific but just e36 specific so it should fit no problem many here are riding on e36 suspension setup that is not ti only either way from the sedan you can use the mirrors if it has the sport sides all e36 side skirts are the same length

[pdxmotorhead]

The thing that makes M3 special is that its tuned to the M3 spec.
If you compare parts that are different you have Brakes,
(Upgradeable on the TI fairly easily) different sway bar mounting
(The M3 struts give you that) and alignment.

The theory most go with is the M3 are just better. But when you add in the
differences between the TI and E36 M3 chassis its hard to believe the M3
parts move over and produce a M3 handling car when installed on a TI.

If you do swap the M3 front on you'll need to make sure the rear is balanced
in with it or you've likely got a car that handles no better and probably
worse than the original.

I'd compare the E30 M3 and the E36 M3 spring rates and see what they look
like. The TI would likely (Wild a$$ guess) use spring rates closer to the E30
M3 than the E36.

If it was me I'd sell the M3 stuff off to someone that has to have M3 and
buy a H&R coil over kit that's set up for the TI. Upgrade with the same year
325/8 vented rotors and add good high torque pads all the way around.

Just another 2 cents worth...

Dave

[zoner]

Originally Posted by pdxmotorhead

If it was me I'd sell the M3 stuff off to someone that has to have M3 and
buy a H&R coil over kit that's set up for the TI. Upgrade with the same year
325/8 vented rotors and add good high torque pads all the way around.

Just another 2 cents worth...

Dave

It might be $.02 worth to you, Dave, but it's invaluable advice for the OP, if you ask me.

[Breticus]

How are the front bumper and sideskirts? Also does anybody know if the rear bumper will fit?

[cooljess76]

Originally Posted by Breticus

How are the front bumper and sideskirts? Also does anybody know if the rear bumper will fit?

C'mon man, we answered this question 3 times for you in your own thread:
http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?p=331662

[Breticus]

I'm sorry.

[KSKarl]

The car I bought had M3 engine and front suspension swapped in by PO. Rear is 318ti shocks and springs marked e36 conv' in junkyard paint. Makes it sit tail high and a little touchy from the stiff rear springs.
But back to the original question, the front is great, handles well and no tire rub with225/45r17 tires.

[blue318ticali]

Hey! I really appreciate all the feedback! I'm just goin to try it on one of my 5 day weekends an give you all feedback on the results lol if it doesn't work it doesn't work but then we will all be certain from now on. I'm using my iPhone so I can't post pictures but I do have the mirrors and side skirts and front seats, plan I do the dash and brakes. 5 speed swap shipped and looking for Someone to do a glass roof because my California roof leaks

[blue318ticali]

Originally Posted by KSKarl

The car I bought had M3 engine and front suspension swapped in by PO. Rear is 318ti shocks and springs marked e36 conv' in junkyard paint. Makes it sit tail high and a little touchy from the stiff rear springs.
But back to the original question, the front is great, handles well and no tire rub with225/45r17 tires.

That's really good to know because I have my M3s DSII 17s on with staggered Goodyear eagle gt tires

[blue318ticali]

Originally Posted by pdxmotorhead

The thing that makes M3 special is that its tuned to the M3 spec.
If you compare parts that are different you have Brakes,
(Upgradeable on the TI fairly easily) different sway bar mounting
(The M3 struts give you that) and alignment.

The theory most go with is the M3 are just better. But when you add in the
differences between the TI and E36 M3 chassis its hard to believe the M3
parts move over and produce a M3 handling car when installed on a TI.

If you do swap the M3 front on you'll need to make sure the rear is balanced
in with it or you've likely got a car that handles no better and probably
worse than the original.

I'd compare the E30 M3 and the E36 M3 spring rates and see what they look
like. The TI would likely (Wild a$$ guess) use spring rates closer to the E30
M3 than the E36.

If it was me I'd sell the M3 stuff off to someone that has to have M3 and
buy a H&R coil over kit that's set up for the TI. Upgrade with the same year
325/8 vented rotors and add good high torque pads all the way around.

Just another 2 cents worth...

Dave

Hey Dave I appreciate the 2 cents lol, if he swap is too much or me to handle than that's probably the route I'll go, but I can't resist my red ///M calipers and the slotted vented rotors!