99' Alpine White E36, ST coils n some VMR Wheels

[n0n_0perational]

I've been poking around this site for a long time and made a couple lil changes to the car so i figured i'd post my experience. This is copied and pasted from the thread I made on bimmerforums titled "Not doing the Stanced Dance"

I had been in the market for a good set of inexpensive coilovers and to my luck stumbled upon ST Speedtech coilovers at a good price with a $100 factory rebate going on too, til Dec. 31st i believe, so i snagged a set
Now let me set one thing straight, my goal with these was not to keep the car slammed or try to "get stanced" but i figured since they are adjustable i'd fool around a little bit, i had some wheels and tires ordered & i knew i was gonna have to raise it up so i figured why not.
So as soon as i got the set home i set to work installing everything. I gotta say i was REALLY impressed with the quality of everything, All the bolt holes lined up perfectly, no need to bend or hammer anything into place........it all went in silky smooth!

I took a bunch of pictures for height reference and the install so here they are

At first i had the rears set all the way down and the fronts had about another 1-1.5" left to go down

Then my wheels came in!! I cranked the rears up about 6 or 7 full turns and the front up about the same i think.

The wheels are VMR v710's in matte black 18x8.5 w/ Falken FK452 225/40 all around so i can rotate

Over all im extremely happy with the results. I love the looks and i dont have to worry about ANY rubbing at all which i love!!! The ride to me is outstanding now. I feel like i can put the car anywhere i want and it is very very predictable. Im curious to see how it will perform when i put the K1's back on for the next auto-X

Questions, comments, & criticisms are all welcome
Cheers
ps. please excuse iphone pics

[Armadaray]

Never was an e36 fan but over the last 2 months they have grown on me to the point that when i sell my land rover, i think im gonna get one! And this is inspiring, love it

[Average_Jerk]

How are you liking the ST coilovers?

[n0n_0perational]

How are you liking the ST coilovers?

really lovin 'em

AUTO-X UPDATE

Its been a while since the autocross & i wish i would have posted right away so i could be a little more descriptive but... here you go

I ended up running with the VMR wheels on just because i decided to actually go and the last minute. It wasnt the ideal set up for the event but i just wanted to have fun and see what kind of differences the suspension had made.

The event was actually the last of the year so it was our Enduro (2-Five lap runs) and was actually alot of fun. The fairgrounds are always super slippery and i didnt think the 225's were going to give me much control, The last time i ran there on street tires i was understeering all over the place!! But surprising enough understeer was not a problem at all.

The course had 2 fair sweepers and the rear had a tendency to want to step out on me but it wasnt violent at all. Very tame and predictable, as well as easy to keep under control. Although i did go round about once because i wanted to see if i could hold a slide into the slalom and didnt work. I was seriously impressed with the results adding coilovers gave me.

The ride overall was great, it was just as firm as i needed it to be. I really think ST/KW did a great job setting this system up. Although I know it may not be designed for autocross specifically, I still feel it does an awesome job meeting the needs of someone who wants to have a car they can autocross and still drive home, without the need for an expensive suspension setup & having to compromise overall comfort on the street.

[northmiler89]

Welcome from Bimmerforums..lol

[driftsucky]

Must be nice to have a McPherson setup on both front and rear. Car looks nice.

[Bracknaphobia]

Wheels are too big IMO. It's sitting pretty high... Certainly cant go wrong with an e26 though.

Good start. Welcome.

[Zack01GC]

Wheels are too big IMO. It's sitting pretty high... Certainly cant go wrong with an e26 though.

Good start. Welcome.

There is no possible way to go wrong with an E26.

[Addy325is]

Those wheels are sex!!!!! very clean !!! getting my e36 my M3 tomo hope all goes well ...haha

[jasonklee]

Very nice.

Welcome to StanceWorks

[n0n_0perational]

thank for all the comments everyone

&

lol @ the guy who posted the e26 pic.....i caught that too but im sure he meant 36

[runningpanda]

Good one, Cole, hahaha.

Good looking e36 man!

[WhiteStripes]

Mmmmmm e26.

OP, car is looking good mang, glad it works out at the track.

[Daetz.30]

Good change

[EThirtySicks]

Good stuff man!