Samsonas Motorsport at the end of summer 2024, presented another very interesting and unique project that has no analogs in the world. Samsonas Motorsport team upgraded the already very fast BMW E36 M3 with a very strong N5 suspension, which improves acceleration, braking, and most importantly – the car is much more reliable due to the very robust N5 suspension and chassis. Martynas Samsonas told the story of how this project came about.
How did the plan to install the N5 suspension in the E36 chassis come about?
The idea has been around for a long time, since the days of rallycross, when my Dad drove a VW Polo RWD and my son Kajus a BMW E30… Back then, there were already problems with all kinds of BMW and other style suspensions done in various garages. We had already thought about building a Ford Fiesta N5 RWD, but I don’t remember if Dad got already ill with cancer or why we didn’t make the whole thing. Then later all the rally BMWs had the same problems with the reliability of the rear suspension, or rather problems with the drive axle. This includes suspension breakages, failures, poor geometry, and so on.
But in very short, I was very tired of the original suspension, which did not hold the forces and broke all the time. The chassis also cracks, shock absorber mounts and arm fitting points break, etc. We tried not only the original BMW, but also other manufacturers’ solutions to that, not just one, but several. In reality, there were even more problems with these improved parts. Everything had to be rewelded at every competition, and still without warranty and still things break.
There was also a desire to ask MV Sport from Kaunas to develop their double-A wishbone for E36/E46, but due to the workload, even now they cannot devote themselves to BMW cars. That’s why we decided back then, a good 2 years ago, to make such a chassis based on the N5 type suspension. And since the N5 chassis is really very strong, maybe even too strong, we decided to go this way.
Incidentally, we with MV Sport haven’t yet given up on the idea of building a good RWD car. There is already a Toyota GT86 chassis, a good Honda engine, there is a good gearbox with good dampers 🙂 This Toyota is suitable for the MV Subaru suspension, but it won’t solve all the problems, because the Subaru rear differential and axles will definitely not hold the power and abuse. So when it comes time to produce this car, the rear suspension will definitely need to be reworked. At the very least a stub (to accommodate a big CV joint) and a BMW 210 rear differential. Serious axles and a serious rear differential are needed.
Of course, I failed with this E36N5 during the Elektrėnai Rally 🙂 We didn’t have time to make a stronger cover for the rear differential through which the differential is connected to the subframe, so we had to use the original one. It was possible to skip this rally, but I had already promised my co-driver Ugnius a hundred times that we’d go to this event. I didn’t want to disappoint him. We saw that the original cover was weak, but… I say we give it a go. It didn’t work out… 🙂
Since the N5 suspension package is designed for four-wheel drive cars, what were the challenges in adapting it to a rear-wheel drive car?
I wouldn’t say it was a big challenge. We simply fitted a BMW 210 rear differential instead of the small Subaru. As the N5 uses large external CV joints from the Peugeot Boxer bus, we used internal CV joints from V8 E92, so we have a strong axle. Nothing special had to be done to the rear suspension. The bigger question was how the car would behave, and how the wheel would push the chassis forward because the N5 has a completely different type of suspension than the BMW M3.
There were issues with the wheel turning angle at the front. Because the N5 has all-wheel drive and the front wheels don’t turn much, it’s enough for an all-wheel drive, but not for a rear-wheel drive car. If you can’t turn wheels enough you will spin all the time. The number of turns of the steering wheel itself is sufficient because it has the same N5 Subaru steering column. We changed a few suspension attachment points, got enough wheel turn and that’s it. Everything else is no big deal. Of course, the engine had to be put a little differently, a new special exhaust had to be made in Garliava because none of the M3 parts fitted. Apart from that, it’s a pleasure to work on, everything fits, it’s a pure sports car.
The first tests took place before the Elektrėnai Rally – what was the first impression of driving a very familiar car, but with a completely different suspension? How has the handling of the car changed compared to the old E36?
The first test drive was short and fast, here on the gravel roads of Utena. I sat down with our funny mechanic Daliukas, who always makes jokes and laughs himself, and when we got back to the garage, I saw that he wasn’t talking anymore, he was shaking white as a ghost and holding his heart. I ask: What’s wrong? Well, I won’t tell you what he said 🙂 In a few words, the first impression was scary because of how fast the car is 🙂
The first real tests was similarly good, on closed special stage, safe and much faster. I passed a couple of times carefully, but later I pushed pedal to the metal 🙂
Be that as it may, even I was afraid of how fast the car would go… The engine pulls the car amazingly. Everything works… Since the suspension is already 100% sport, I had the feeling that we have more grip when braking and accelerating, the rear axle is loaded because the car sits. And when braking, the front axle also sits and is loaded, so it stops much better and I can brake much later. In general, the car is quite soft and comfortable, and after playing with the swaybars, we discovered good lateral support. It’s a great car. As I told everyone – it’s very good to drive it but also scary 🙂
The comparison with the old E36 is possible… a little. Well, I have said more than once that the original BMW E36 M3 is not a bad car anyway, it’s really fast, very fast, only reliability is an issue. But the biggest differences are perhaps that the rear is a bit better loaded, and it stops much better. The handling is very similar.
What improvements/adjustments have you made or will you make so that the car can reach 100% of its potential?
Well, after Elektrėnai we finally have strong rear differential cover. I hope everything is reliable. The speed of this car is great, but not the driver 🙂
In addition, there are plans to improve and play with the geometry of the wheels. Now you have to drive and enjoy. A car alone cannot win a rally. Nor can the driver do this alone.
Samsonas Motorsport has been working with the BMW E36 M3 for many years. What makes this chassis special and what parts are included in this special E36 with N5 suspension?
Well, here is an interesting paragraph 🙂 The special thing about the chassis is that it is already a very special N5 suspension, which can be compared to that of the R5. Also lightweight. The dry chassis with rollcage weighs 290 kg.
The parts are:
- The gearbox is clearly our universal RWD 6-speed sequential gearbox. A long 5 gears are provided and used, as the power and range of the engine are well enough for that, so you need to load the wheels and not just let them spin. There is also a 6th gear, but this is only used in road sections.
- BMW M3 E92 rear differential with special cover 🙂 V8 size special M300 flanges, V8 size GKN Motorsport CV joints, M300 steel axles.
- Drexler differential, in my opinion the best on the market.
- Clutch: Xtreme, new type, light double disk 200mm. AP Racing release bearing.
- Propshaft: DriveshaftShop, aluminum one-piece without hanging bearing.
- Samsonas Motorsport N5 specification dampers. Springs 25/20.
- Brake calipers and disks Alcon, R5 specifications. Pedalbox Tilton, AP Racing cylinders.
- BMW S54 engine prepared by Mr. Vladas. 430Ag and 400Nm. Programming – Alius Anusevičius. Wiring loom – Andrius Geniušas. EAMV guys.
- Engine management: Motec M150, Motec PDM, Ecu Master Dash.
- P1 Fuel.
- Cooling radiator: Nitram Latvia.
- Fuel tank: N5 spec. 80 liters. FIA homologation.
- Top speed: 5th gear 210 km/h
- Steering column: Subaru Short ratio N5 spec.
- Body kit: HGK Scuderia.
- Seats: Sparco Carbon. Belts Schroth Enduro.
- Exhaust: Twisted Smoke, Martynas – Garliava.
- Plastics4performance 3mm windows
- Heated windshield
What are the plans for this car in the 2025 season?
There is a plan to drive this BMW E36N5 at the Arctic Lapland Rally with Ervinas Snitkas. We will see about other events, but there was a desire to drive a few rallies in the Estonian championship.
We will see how things will go, because there is also a plan to drive in Lithuania, just with a different car.
