So ive got an e36 M3 with about 83k miles. Im pretty sure my suspension has about had it. Ive heard its harder to learn to drive well with a modified suspension due to a lack of feedback. My question is this: Should i go ahead and get something basic like Bilsteins and HR, or should i keep it stock and do some events? :dunno

Sometimes I wish I had never started modding the car...

Get new shocks and struts and stick with stock springs.

Dead shocks make it really hard to tell what's going on. I feel I'm learning much faster now that the car is more consistent and provides better feedback with just Koni SAs on stock springs.

Don't go really stiff, and it does make the edge a little finer. I feel the stock springs afford a little more room for abruptness and lack of smoothness(which is what a novice driver does the most) due to the slightly delayed weight transfer.

its a slippery slope, once you start you can't stop......

If your shocks are shot, are I would not recommend running DE's. And you most likely won't pass the Tech. So you will have to get some sort of replacement. For the $$ that the dealers charge for the OEM parts, you may as well go for the aftermarket items.

It is true that learning on stock setup is the best. But getting something like Bilstein Sports and H&R Sport will not alter the ride that much. In fact, the car will feel pretty close to the OEM. M3's came out pretty stiff out the factory. I would also add a set of sways just to keep the bodyroll under control. :D

Keep the street rubber (until you graduate to the Advanced group) to really learn your car's behavior.

just my $.02

i was thinking the bilstein/HR combo wouldnt be too different from stock, which would cost about the same.

Buy whatever you think you will ultimately want on your car. Stock is not better and does not communicate better.

Buy the Koni SAs, and use your stock springs.... then down the road pick up the GC Street Kit, and you'll have yourself Coil-Overs:D

My stock shocks were shot at 60K miles. I went the cheaper route of just Koni SA's and H&R sports and have been very happy with it. THe handling definitly improved over stock, especially with worn components. Sways have made the biggest difference for me in terms of handling.

You would be surprised how well just konis, H&R's and sways do for these cars. Many people get coilovers and think they will be able to out-handle a non-coilover car...which is definitly not aways the case. YOu have to understand and know how to adjust the coilovers properly. You do not have to get a coilover setup to make the car handle well, however, it also depends on what you want to do with the car in the future.

just my $.02

Matt is right, but for me $400 vs $250, and I can adjust the height the way I want it was worth it. Matt spanks me in AutoX with his less advanced suspension:stickoutt

But I have to say that if I knew then what I know now about suspension, I would have bought the coilovers so I can easily run different spring rates and adjust the car more. Who know that I would like to auto-x and track so much :dunno

oh, an auto-x is all about seat time....

a couple of events/DE's....you DO NOT NEED a modded suspension to learn and I think a stock setup is good for baseline and learning. When you can understand what the car is doing then you can decide what to modify to dial in the behaivior you want the car to have....but first get out there and drive....on a track or an autox, not punking around on the street. If you want you can buy my original LTW suspension (along with the wheels if you still want those)....this suspension is original BMW motorsport for the M3 LTW and close enough to stock for some great learning but stiffer, lower, and more responsive compared to stock....lemme know :)

my car is in the shop right now, last time it was in the told me i would need new shocks/struts in about 10k miles if not sooner. So ill have them double check on that....also, the wheels are in pretty bad shape, but if they dont hinder my driving, i dont think im gonna upgrade them yet. Thanks for the offer Sunir, ill let you know what i want to do after i talk to the mechanic.