325 Compact Sport Handling

[bd02]

I find the handling and general road holding on my BMW 325 Compact Sport to be appalling.... way too firm and bouncy with a lot of tramlining. I have 18 inch MV alloys with Brigestone Potenzas. I am seriously thinking of downgrading to the OE 17 inch wheels and trying a different type of tyre. Seems like an expensive backwards step but this ought to be a great handling little car and at the moment I am seriously considering getting rid of it!! Anyone had this issue / gone down this route? Don't want to go to the trouble only to find the 17 inchers don't make a great deal of difference. Whilst I'm on the subject, anyone know of a 2nd hand BMW alloy retailer in the Midlands area?

Many thanks

[baz1985]

I've found the E46 325ti Sport to be the next best thing to a E46 M3 in terms of dynamic ability. 17s will reduce tramlining, a little. I'd check the front ball joints, rear top mounts and ant-roll bar bushes etc. The springs are known to snap too. To improve the setup I'd suggest....OEM 17s or 17" BBS, Koni FSD shocks, Eibach Pro-Kit springs, Eibach Anti-Roll Bars, Powerflex bushes, AC Schnitzer 'Racing' Strut Brace. That should sort it, I guess £1300 excluding wheels, but it should drive superb!

[bd02]

Thanks Baz - will investigate