E36 Drifting Coilovers: Enhance Your Drift Performance

E36 drifting coilovers is one of the most popular vehicles for drifting enthusiasts, thanks to its rear-wheel-drive layout, balanced chassis, and wide aftermarket support. If you’re planning to take your E36 to the track for drifting, upgrading the suspension with quality coilovers is one of the most crucial modifications you can make. Coilovers designed specifically for drifting offer enhanced control, stability, and adjustability, ensuring you get the most out of your E36 when sliding around corners.

Why Do You Need Drift-Specific Coilovers for Your E36?

1. Improved Control and Stability

• Drift events demand a suspension that can handle extreme angles and rapid weight shifts. Drift-specific coilovers are engineered to provide superior control over the car’s movements during slides, allowing you to maintain better control while balancing throttle and steering inputs. With adjustable dampers, you can fine-tune the suspension to absorb the high-impact forces generated in drifting.

1. Increased Durability

• Drifting puts a tremendous amount of stress on your suspension system. Drift-specific coilovers are built with stronger materials and designs that can withstand the heavy impacts, constant weight shifting, and extreme forces encountered during a drift session. They also typically feature monotube shock designs for improved cooling and better performance under prolonged stress.

1. Customizable Damping and Ride Height

• Coilovers offer a range of adjustability that allows you to tailor the ride height and damping characteristics to suit your driving style and track conditions. For drifting, you’ll want a lowered stance to lower the car’s center of gravity and improve stability during slides, as well as adjustable damping for better control during transitions and high-speed drifts.

1. Enhanced Grip and Weight Transfer Management

• Drift-specific coilovers improve the car's grip on the track by optimizing the suspension to handle weight transfer more effectively. The ability to adjust both compression and rebound settings allows for better control of how the car behaves during quick shifts in weight, essential for managing your drift angles and maintaining traction on the rear wheels.

1. Better Feedback

• A well-tuned coilover setup gives you better feedback from the road, allowing you to feel the car’s responses more clearly. In drifting, being able to “feel” the car's movement is crucial to maintaining control. Drift coilovers provide enhanced feedback, helping you make faster, more confident decisions while sliding through turns.

Best Drift Coilovers for E36 BMW

1. BC Racing BR Series Coilovers

• Features: The BC Racing BR Series coilovers offer excellent adjustability with 30 levels of damping control, which is perfect for fine-tuning your suspension setup for drifting. The coilovers feature a pillowball top mount, which provides better steering feel and reduces flex.
• Best For: Drift enthusiasts who want an affordable coilover system with a high level of customization. BC Racing coilovers are great for both beginners and seasoned drifters.

1. KW Variant 3 Coilovers

• Features: The KW Variant 3 coilovers offer independent compression and rebound damping adjustments, making them ideal for fine-tuning suspension performance in drifting. With excellent build quality, these coilovers provide improved performance under high loads and in extreme conditions.
• Best For: Drivers looking for ultimate adjustability and performance, especially those who plan to use their E36 for competitive drifting or high-intensity track days.

1. HKS Hipermax IV SP Coilovers

• Features: HKS is known for producing high-performance suspension systems, and the Hipermax IV SP coilovers are designed for motorsport applications like drifting. They feature adjustable ride height and 16-way damping adjustment, offering superior performance and durability in demanding situations.
• Best For: Advanced drifters looking for a high-quality, race-ready suspension system that can handle the extreme conditions of competitive drifting.

1. Tein Flex Z Coilovers

• Features: The Tein Flex Z coilovers are an excellent budget-friendly option for drift enthusiasts. They offer adjustable ride height and 16 levels of damping adjustment, making them suitable for those who need good performance without breaking the bank.
• Best For: Beginners or intermediate drifters who need a reliable and affordable coilover system for everyday track use and drifting sessions.

1. Cusco Zero-3S Coilovers

• Features: The Cusco Zero-3S coilovers are designed specifically for motorsports, including drifting. They provide 15 levels of damping adjustment and offer a highly durable design that can withstand the impacts and stresses of aggressive drifting.
• Best For: Drivers looking for a top-tier coilover system that offers maximum control and durability in extreme drift conditions.

Key Features to Look for in Drift-Specific Coilovers for Your E36

1. Damping Adjustment

• A coilover system with adjustable damping (both compression and rebound) is essential for drifting. It allows you to tailor the suspension to handle the extreme forces during a drift and gives you the flexibility to adjust the car’s behavior in response to different track conditions or driving styles.

1. Stiffness and Spring Rates

• Drift coilovers typically have stiffer spring rates compared to regular street coilovers. The stiffness helps the car maintain stability during aggressive cornering and drifting. However, the stiffness must be balanced, as overly stiff suspension can negatively affect grip and transition speed.

1. Pillowball Top Mounts

• Many drift coilovers come with pillowball top mounts, which provide better steering response and help eliminate unwanted suspension movement. This setup improves feedback and stability during drifts, especially during fast transitions and aggressive steering.

1. Build Quality and Durability

• Drifting is hard on suspension components, so it’s important to choose coilovers that are built to last. Look for coilovers that feature high-quality materials and coatings, such as anodized or zinc-plated components, to prevent rust and ensure long-lasting performance.

1. Height Adjustment

• Adjustable height is important for lowering your E36 to improve the car’s center of gravity, which aids in handling during drifts. Lowering the car also reduces body roll, which can help you maintain more control when sliding.

Installation and Maintenance of Drift Coilovers for E36

Installation

• Installing drift-specific coilovers on your E36 requires technical knowledge and the right tools. The installation process involves removing the stock suspension components, installing the coilovers, and ensuring everything is properly aligned. It's recommended to have a professional or experienced mechanic handle the installation to ensure proper setup.

Maintenance

• Drift coilovers require regular maintenance, particularly if used on track days. After heavy drifting sessions, it’s important to check for any leaks, wear, or damage to the coilovers. Regular cleaning and inspecting of the components, such as checking the shock absorbers for signs of damage or fluid leaks, will help keep the coilovers in optimal condition.

Conclusion

Drift coilovers are essential for improving the handling, stability, and overall performance of your BMW E36 during drifting. The ability to adjust ride height, damping, and stiffness allows you to fine-tune the suspension for optimal drift performance, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro. By choosing the right coilover system, such as the BC Racing BR Series or KW Variant 3, you’ll gain greater control and durability, giving you the edge when sliding through corners on the track.