Newbie z3 suspension

[Bob Danielson]

Long time Porsche guy just picked up a 120K mile 2000 Z3. Awesome little car but like it seems most of these cars the suspension is whacked. Dramatic negative camber on the rear and toe out (inside shoulder of both rears worn out on near new tires)
I've read several posts on how to fix the problem with kits, etc. but my question is this..
Isn't the toe problem, the major cause of the tire wear, caused simply by the worn arm bushings? and if not what is causing the toe out?
It would seem to me that new bushings, springs and maybe shocks would put it back to the factory settings and therefore normal tire wear.
Any info on what is causing a car with no adjustment to fall far from original settings would be greatly appreciated. I have several years of setting up my own 911 and 356 race cars but this thing has me baffled.
Thanks
Bob

[Karl Schaefer]

I bought an '02 coupe a little over five years ago. I experienced the same problems you mentioned. The local independent BMW shop told me the out of alignment was a common problem on these cars. I found nothing worn out, bent or broken. The car really was not that fun to drive. On my car, front camber was different side to side and the rear on one side was toed out and both sides had massive negative camber .
I find it amazing that a "sports car" with four wheel independent suspension the only adjustment available is front toe. I have done Ireland Eng. toe and camber adjusters for the rear and camber plates on the front.
I have found that at least my car is very sensitive to alignment settings. I have also heard of many complaints about how these cars drive.
I have gotten my car to be very fun and responsive to drive but it has taken a lot.

[Bob Danielson]

I've learned a great deal about this car over the last month and a half. I put a new set of tires on it and will run it til the snow flies then tear the whole suspension apart and start from scratch.
I have about half the parts i need so far and will be getting the rest soon. Ireland setup camber and toe is my plan too and may go with H&R springs and some kind of more aggressive shock as well.
I think once it's setup correctly it handle very well.
Maybe not as good as a Porsche but as good as any BMW

[Karl Schaefer]

Yeah, I was just talking about the alignment, I've also done Ground Control coil overs and poly bushings everywhere, also E36 M3 control arm bushings, Strong butt strut and Racing Dynamics front strut. The car is much closer to what I would have expected.
I started with Bilstein with the coil overs. I really did not like them, changed to Koni...awesome improvement.
I didn't go with H+R springs, felt they lowered to much.
My track car is a modified 951, been instructing since '96. I kind of like firmer, responsive (not harsh) handling for a street car.