Amazed by Turning Circle

[EmDeeAr]

A few days ago, I was caught in a jam at a light and decided to pull a close-quarters U-turn. To my amazement, the car swung around the turn without a problem at all. I didn't jump the curb or have to stop and adjust, or anything like that.

I was recently thinking about how cool it would be to have a Volvo S60 R or V70 R (wagons are boss), but this event made me think twice. A friend of mine once had an S60 R, and the turning circle was so bad... the wheel would even rub on the fender/wheel well plastic... and it was stock!

It's no big deal, but things like this save me in day-to-day driving jams, and remind me how sweet the E46 is. But I'm curious: does the 330 have a better turning circle than a 325, or the even older 328 (E46 of course)? And does the ZHP package make the turning circle on a 330 even better?

/discuss :rockon

[BavarianZHP]

The E46's turning radius is very good indeed. The low front overhang shortens the wall-to-wall turning circle as well. I think it's around 34.4 ft (turning diameter). I'm not sure if any difference in the turning rack has any affect on the turning radius, but larger wheels would have a slight negative impact (making the ZHP's worse than the base models). Overall all E46's have similar turning circles (with exception of xi models ~ 35.8ft and touring I believe).

http://db.theautochannel.com/db/newcarbuyersguide/rank_car_criteria.php?stylename=Sedan&titleid=184

In contrast the new F30's have a 37.1 ft turning radius. I believe the E90's had a 36-38 ft radius:


http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-520696.html

E93: 36 ft
E92 xdrive: 38.9 ft
E92 rear wheel drive: 36.1 ft
E90 xdrive: 38.7 ft
E90 rear wheel drive: 36.1 ft
E91: 36.1 ft
E93 M3: 38.4 ft
E92 M3: 38.4 ft
E90 M3: 38.4 ft

As you can see, the M cars have worse turning circles (due to wider bodies and larger tires?).

Thanks for pointing that out, it's something I do take for granted. I just can't believe the turning circle has grown to 37.1 ft for the 3 series! A Tesla Model S's turning circle is 37 ft (smaller :eyetwitch) in comparison and that car is a full-size luxury sedan like the 7 series.

[EmDeeAr]

Nice info, thanks.

I had a '97 M3 sedan before this ZHP, and that also had an awesome turning radius. Probably near 35ish as well.

[E_Rak]

I am always spoiled by the turning radius, it makes it soooo easy to get into the garage at home..... In my dad's Maxima I always have to make a 2 pt. turn out of it...

[Avetiso]

+1 on all of this. I often get a little tire screech when doing U-Turns at elevated speed. So much fun.

[330i ZHP]

I love the turning radius on German cars - and it makes me refer to our TL as the Titanic..since it take two tries to get it to turn around in the same area as our BMWs

[Avetiso]

I love the turning radius on German cars - and it makes me refer to our TL as the Titanic..since it take two tries to get it to turn around in the same area as our BMWs

My uncle has an Infiniti I35 or I30 and complains about the turn radius all the time.

[Hermes]

I win...

E21: 34.1ft

There was apparently a Motorsport rack with a quicker ratio, I can only imagine what that would be like

[Avetiso]

I win...

E21: 34.1ft

There was apparently a Motorsport rack with a quicker ratio, I can only imagine what that would be like
Next mod...

[Hermes]

I wish... they have been long gone. The last few were bought up by the Legion (E21 equivalent of the Mafia) many many years ago

[johnrando]

The Legion? Ooooh, I LIKE that.

[Hermes]

It turns out there is a group buy going on getting quick ratio racks manufactured for the E21, need 50 preorders so I added my name. Hopefully we have enough people to do it. It's gonna cost all of £250 for a 2.5 lock-to-lock rack!

Now I just need a late 323i front subframe so I can started thinking about M5x swap