R32 Understeer

[balkanac]

MkIV R32 is a complete pig, to the point where my Renault-driving friends have taken to calling it the 'understeer bucket'.

This can, however, be solved with:

* rear sway bar (pref. H&R)
* Koni FSD shocks
* Standard springs reset 15mm lower or Euro springs
* Sticky tyres (e.g. Dunlop Direzza ZR1 Star Spec)
* Haldex upgrade
* Rear stress brace (e.g. HPA)

Stock, however, it really does understeer a lot.

This is true, but my point is that an e46 coupe comes stock and hadles better than the R32 without having to spend any money at the bmw. I have an e30 318is and that handles really nice! A bit underpowered but with the LSD its so much more fun than the R32.
R32 is still a unique car, sounds awesome, seats are beautiful, very responsive and brakes are amazing

And looks wise, R32 is just a golf with big wheels. IMO e46 coupes look much better. Its just that "im driving a bmw look at me" thing that i hate.

[Big_M]

This is true, but my point is that an e46 coupe comes stock and hadles better than the R32 without having to spend any money at the bmw. I have an e30 318is and that handles really nice! A bit underpowered but with the LSD its so much more fun than the R32.
R32 is still a unique car, sounds awesome, seats are beautiful, very responsive and brakes are amazing

And looks wise, R32 is just a golf with big wheels. IMO e46 coupes look much better. Its just that "im driving a bmw look at me" thing that i hate.

I've had 2 318is E30's. Loved em. Last one I bought at 212,000 k's back jan 04 had it till mid last year and when it departed my company it had at a guess 700k+ K's on it. Used all day everyday sometimes 400k's a day.
Lazur Blue. Fitted fog's, lower Is front spoiler even full retro fit of electric windows using all BM parts. No hacked up looms or anything pulled the whole interior to fit the factory loom.

If i ever come across it on my travels i might just grab it back.. Mind you would like a 325is or maybe E30 M3.

My E46 330ci was great. Just have to be mindful of the old rear subframe cracking on some in E46 range. Mine was ok but garage I used bad seen a few with cracks starting or in need of repair.

The cars are different driving experiences. Both great.

[balkanac]

I thought the rear subframe ripping happens only on e46 m3s.
The golf replacement will def be an e46 330ci m sport. I love those cars!!

[Lonewolf1983]

i found the understeer on the bora pretty bad, even with coilovers and a haldex controller, especially at the track.
cant get away from a fwd biased drivetrain with heavy engine out front, and engineered to be very safe under all conditions

[Manaz]

i found the understeer on the bora pretty bad, even with coilovers and a haldex controller, especially at the track.
cant get away from a fwd biased drivetrain with heavy engine out front, and engineered to be very safe under all conditions

Doesn't help that even the blue controller cuts power to the rear under brakes. Need the competition controller to remove that behaviour.

All that said, the "lead-tipped arrow" nature of the beast doesn't help, as you've suggested - you can't overcome the rules of physics - if you move something heavy quickly in one direction, it'll keep trying to move in that direction despite your efforts to turn the wheels

[type 17]

Every car will understeer into corners if you are hard on the throttle, it all depends on what you are doing.

As others have said,

Sticky tyres
Haldex
Rear sway bar/ Upper bar
will help

Stiffer suspension and lsds make a big difference too.

Cheers, Pedro.