Best Mod to Increase Handling

[rommeeeezy]

Wondering what the best Mod to Increase Handling and traction would be? Have Michelin 4S but I feel like I'm still looking traction and just an overall sharpness to the car.

Trying to go for an OEM+ mod. So not super interested in coils. But have been looking at the MP HAS kit. But wondering if it truly makes a difference.

[adc]

What do you feel is lacking in the OEM setup?

What is your level of experience?

And does your car have a good alignment?

[Ropes]

Have you considered getting the rear diff coded to the GTS?

[RugbyBro]

It really depends on what the car will be to you. Since you said OEM+, I assume this will primarily be a street car. In that case, MP HAS makes a pretty significant difference that you can feel on the street while retaining essentially the same ride comfort and is OEM, so that's my vote. I'm keeping my car OEM+ (and 90% street driven) for the time being and MP HAS really tightened the car up. If you like DIY, it's a pretty straight forward install.

[M 4 FUN]

Dump the EDC damping and buy an adjustable high quality suspension kit like Öhlins, KW, Bilstein. I Think the electronic damping was the worst thing on my M4. I Went for an Öhlins road and track kit and it's a different car now. Firm but not in a bad way. Less bouncy and much more nimble to drive, feels lighter. The car feels more solid.

[rommeeeezy]

Originally Posted by adc

What do you feel is lacking in the OEM setup?

What is your level of experience?

And does your car have a good alignment?

1. I just did a wheel and tire change to 19" Apex EC-7s with new MP4S tires. Compared to the Comp 20" wheels, these feel much "softer" and absorb bumps and potholes better (which I enjoy), but it also feels like the steering has gotten a bit heavier (could be placebo). Haven't driven it enough on the new wheels and tires (<200 miles) so that could be the reason.

I mainly just want it to feel a bit tighter and nimbler, as I'm a 50/50 street driver (city and highway).

Also, honestly, I just always look for small mods to do that can improve the car just a little bit. It's a great car stock, I've yet to even push it to the limit (at least handling wise), but I guess I'm just looking for a more "planted" and "Directness".

2. I would say level of experience is still very beginner. I've only been in a performance car (before this I was in a B9 Audi S4) for about a year+.

3. I actually haven't checked alignment yet. I may have to give a quick visit to a local alignment shop near me.

[rborane]

Sounds like switching to MP4S may have something to do with it. There is a thread here that people recommend sticking with OEM PSS Star spec tires because of the feel and sharpness they provide. Sounds like MP4S require higher psi to get that same feel. I will be sticking with PSS *spec

[adc]

Originally Posted by rommeeeezy

1. I just did a wheel and tire change to 19" Apex EC-7s with new MP4S tires. Compared to the Comp 20" wheels, these feel much "softer" and absorb bumps and potholes better (which I enjoy), but it also feels like the steering has gotten a bit heavier (could be placebo). Haven't driven it enough on the new wheels and tires (<200 miles) so that could be the reason.

I mainly just want it to feel a bit tighter and nimbler, as I'm a 50/50 street driver (city and highway).

Also, honestly, I just always look for small mods to do that can improve the car just a little bit. It's a great car stock, I've yet to even push it to the limit (at least handling wise), but I guess I'm just looking for a more "planted" and "Directness".

2. I would say level of experience is still very beginner. I've only been in a performance car (before this I was in a B9 Audi S4) for about a year+.

3. I actually haven't checked alignment yet. I may have to give a quick visit to a local alignment shop near me.

You’ve switched from 20” wheels to 19” with a thicker tire sidewall, accounting for most of the new found softness. The tire compound and construction may account for the rest, but I think the aspect ratio is the main change driver.

Check alignment that’s always a good idea, when buying new tires to make sure they’ll last.

But to get an extra degree of sharpness you may need to do suspension and camber plates. And put up with more harshness perhaps. My personal advice is to maximize the car stock first, learn to exploit it, and when you feel limited and truly understand the reasons for it, upgrade.

I’m on stock suspension with camber plates, and putting more than reasonable times on track. I may finally upgrade this year, but not before trying to record the best time on stock suspension at VIR. (fat chance).

[jmg]

Originally Posted by rommeeeezy

1. I just did a wheel and tire change to 19" Apex EC-7s with new MP4S tires. Compared to the Comp 20" wheels, these feel much "softer" and absorb bumps and potholes better (which I enjoy), but it also feels like the steering has gotten a bit heavier (could be placebo). Haven't driven it enough on the new wheels and tires (<200 miles) so that could be the reason.

I mainly just want it to feel a bit tighter and nimbler, as I'm a 50/50 street driver (city and highway).

Also, honestly, I just always look for small mods to do that can improve the car just a little bit. It's a great car stock, I've yet to even push it to the limit (at least handling wise), but I guess I'm just looking for a more "planted" and "Directness".

2. I would say level of experience is still very beginner. I've only been in a performance car (before this I was in a B9 Audi S4) for about a year+.

3. I actually haven't checked alignment yet. I may have to give a quick visit to a local alignment shop near me.

Did you go 34 or 40 on the sidewall aspect? 255's also have a 45 which are very tall.

If you are still a beginner, like I am, just keep it stock for now... get some track days under your belt and lurk the track forums here and just read read read. Talk to other people with heavier high hp cars and see what their experience is. After a year or so in this car tracking I have found that a good OEM + setup is MPHAS with camber plates. The MPHAS will allow you to corner balance the car. You may also find that the MPS4S is not enough tire for the track, but it's a good enough tire for now. Just stick with them this season and start looking into what you would like to try next season.

[aBMWfan]

Good Coilovers and BBK will allow you to hit the turns more confidently.

Endlinks and sway bars and stuff won’t be needed until you track often

[henrylee]

Cup 2’s will improve traction and handling

[FriedPiston]

IMO, Driver Mod is the best mod to improve the handling ability of any car.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by FriedPiston

IMO, Driver Mod is the best mod to improve the handling ability of any car.

^ This

[JeffO]

Originally Posted by rommeeeezy

Wondering what the best Mod to Increase Handling and traction would be? Have Michelin 4S but I feel like I'm still looking traction and just an overall sharpness to the car.

Trying to go for an OEM+ mod. So not super interested in coils. But have been looking at the MP HAS kit. But wondering if it truly makes a difference.

Try the Thor app. Makes a nice improvement for reasonable price and easy install. Once you load this you will see this is how the car should have come. Better drivers will get more benefit. Improving your driving skill is also as important. I highly recommend the BMW Performance Center events.

[LOW4LYF]

I am always supriced what people want to improve on a M3/M4 for daily or weekend driving tho?

Take a look what a good instructor does with a STOCK F8x on a hot lap and learn before making any adjustments. Most of us can not even handle a stock F8x properly...lol

[chriszach1]

Originally Posted by rommeeeezy

Wondering what the best Mod to Increase Handling and traction would be? Have Michelin 4S but I feel like I'm still looking traction and just an overall sharpness to the car.

Trying to go for an OEM+ mod. So not super interested in coils. But have been looking at the MP HAS kit. But wondering if it truly makes a difference.

I had the KW HAS kit and the only thing it did was lower the car, that's it. It didn't help with the ride or handling, just the stance of the car. After about 7 months of driving on it, I took it off and installed the KW V3's. I also swapped my PSS for PS4's and put 295 on the rear (running stock 666m's).

To be honest, it's like driving a different car! The handling, ride and traction is amazing. After getting everything installed and adjusting the KW's to my liking, I took it out on some roads where I knew I had issues before on my old setup. The car hooked with no spinning or ass-end sliding out. It feels so much more stable at higher speeds going into curves, where before I wasn't too sure!

Just my 2 cents, if you are looking for better handling, don't waste your money on just a HAS kit. You would need to add something else to it like THOR or a similar flash.

[Envy ///M3]

Definitely get the rear diff coded. Makes a huge difference in how the rear end behaves.