TL-ONE Install Wrap-Up on Byron’s BMW E46 M3 | Corner Balance + Driving Impressions
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This weekend we finished up the TL-ONE coilover install on Byron’s BMW E46 M3. With a proper alignment and corner balance, the car now feels calmer, more controlled, and more predictable—without turning into a noisy “race-only” street car.
Build context: This post follows our earlier feature, “Behind the Build: A Street/Track TL-ONE Setup for Byron’s E46 M3.”
What we’ll cover
- The install & setup (alignment + corner balance)
- A common E46 M3 handling issue: worn RTABs
- Supporting mods that made the difference
- Corner balance results (with driver + full tank)
- Driving impressions: firmer, but more comfortable
- Ride height & suspension travel notes
- What’s next for Byron’s E46 M3
The install & setup: done by someone who knows E46s
A big part of getting excellent results isn’t just the hardware—it’s the process. Rob Keehner, a very experienced race car builder and autocrosser, performed most of the work on the alignment and corner balance. Rob is deeply familiar with the E46 platform and has previously worked with the BimmerWorld E46 World Challenge teams.
If you’re building an E46 M3 for HPDE, autocross, time attack, or a fast street/track hybrid, the right alignment + corner balance is what turns “good parts” into a setup that feels confident at the limit.
A common BMW E46 M3 failure: worn rear trailing arm bushings (RTABs)
During the install, Rob noticed a classic E46 M3 issue: bad rear trailing arm bushings (RTABs). When RTABs are worn, the rear toe can shift during weight transfer. That toe movement can create undesirable handling traits—especially under braking or in quick transitions—because the rear axle no longer tracks consistently.
Byron’s track-day instructor, DJ, had previously noted that the car felt unsettled under braking. With the OEM dampers leaking (and effectively low on oil) plus worn RTABs, it’s a perfect recipe for a nervous rear end.
Rob replaced the RTABs with an upgraded BimmerWorld unit that includes shims and travel limiters to help prevent toe alignment from wandering.
Supporting mods that helped us nail the balance
Along with the RTAB upgrade, Rob also added adjustable front sway bar end links. This small change pairs perfectly with a coilover install because it helps remove unwanted preload and lets the suspension work more naturally.
The end links + the TL-ONE coilovers allowed Rob to achieve a nearly-perfect corner balance.
Final weights (full tank + driver): totals, distribution, and cross weight
Final scale numbers:
| Corner | Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|
| LF | 903 |
| RF | 894 |
| LR | 874 |
| RR | 869 |
| Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| Total weight | 3,540 lbs |
| Front / Rear distribution | 50.8% front / 49.2% rear |
| Left / Right distribution | 50.2% left / 49.8% right |
| Cross weight (LF + RR) | 50.1% |
Why this matters: a cross weight near 50% helps the car feel more consistent in left vs. right turns, especially when pushing at the limit.
Driving impressions: firmer than before, but more comfortable
On the drive back from the install, I was genuinely surprised. The car rides firmer—but it’s also more comfortable and controlled over bumps. Instead of the chassis floating and crashing, impacts feel “rounded,” and the car settles immediately after bumps.
Even with adjustable spring perches and spherical bearing hardware, the E46 stayed quiet: not a single clunk or creak from the suspension. Rob noted that when spring rates or spring length setups are incorrectly matched, noise is usually the first sign—none showed up here.
Ride height & travel: street-friendly low, track-ready control
We set the ride heights moderately low—aggressive enough to look right and improve response, but not so low that it’s miserable on real roads. The setup has plenty of usable travel, especially in the rear.
Front travel: protected where it counts
Front travel is often where E46 coilover setups get compromised. Here, we still have healthy front travel, and even in high-speed compression events we have a progressive bump stop to avoid shocking the tire. That translates into better compliance, more grip, and more confidence when the surface isn’t perfect.
Building your own E46 M3 street/track setup?
Thunder Lane US is a high-end suspension distributor. Our coilovers are assembled by hand per order, valved to match your goals (HPDE, autocross, time attack, or racing) and include dyno graphs (CVP and PVP).
Shop BMW E46 M3 Suspension | Get a Custom Recommendation
Drivers who compete can earn product credit through our contingency program—ask us for details.
What’s next: back to Byron, then back to the track
The car is now ready to be returned to Byron. We’re excited to see it hit the track again soon so we can collect even more feedback and keep refining the setup as Byron’s goals evolve.
If you’re chasing a suspension setup that’s quiet on the street and confident on track, this install is a great reminder: the right coilovers, the right supporting parts, and the right setup work together.
