 » Site Navigation | | | | » Recent Threads | | | |  |  |  |  12-12-2005, 11:22 PM | #1 | | Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: LA Posts: 37 |  control arm/bushing combo
What's the best control arm/bushing combo for a regular 318ti (no 6-cylinder swap)?
Do I want to get a 96+ m3 control arms and the 95 offset bushings? Will this combo promote a more 50/50 weight distribution? Current weight distribution is about 55/45, right?
Do the e30 aluminum control arms make that much of a difference in responsiveness since they are about half the weight of steel one (even though they cost 2-4x of the e36 ones)?
Or is there some other combo that is reasonably cheap that I won't have to realign my car over?
Does changing the control arms and bushings really make a difference or is the swap going to make me really frustrated without much improvement? So far my handling upgrades are: e46 RSMs (which I felt were a waste of money), 3.73 e30 lsd, and a m coupe rear swaybar. |  |  | | 12-13-2005, 12:14 AM | #2 | | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Walnut Creek, CA Posts: 642 |
I'd say go for the 96+ M3 solid, centered LCAB's. I put them on my stock 318ti and I couldn't be happier. Just looking at the solid piece of rubber in comparision to the regular bushings that have huge gaps in them, it's obvious that there will be less movement with the M3 ones. Ride is minimally, if any harsher, and I bet they last longer too. I have the aluminum e30 arms on my 330ti, and yes they are pretty, but I don't think they justify 2-3x the cost. __________________
'95 330ti CS w/sr delete, S50USB30, cams, 24# inj, Conforti SW, Euro HFM, Samco Silicone Intake Boot, BBTB, Euro Oil Cooler, JTD CAI Duct, RE DMS exhaust, RE Tranny mounts, CF Valve Cover, LTW flywheel/Kevlar sprung hub clutch, RE SSK, 3.46 Finned LSD (M6) , M3 tranny, Brembos, RE Wheel Studs, SS brake/clutch lines, CF interior, Rear Headrest retrofit, Tilt Steering retrofit, 13.5 lb DynaBatt in rear, LED interior/footwell lights, ZKW HID, Headlight Aim Control, Rear fog light w/cluster indicator, CF 3 Aux gauge pod, BMW Traffic Pro/Alpine MP3-CD Changer, Staggered LTW wheels, '95 M3 steering rack, VIS CF Hood, M3 LTW Strut Bar, TCK SA coilovers, Red LTW Motorsport Seatbelts, OEM Fire Extinguisher, Z8 Starter button, Auto dim rear view mirror w/ Homelink/Compass, PDC, Rear Sun Shade, Euro Gauge Cluster w/oil temp/shift light , Headlight Washers, "Motorsport" Door Handles, CF Grills, French ZKW Fogs, Euro dash bins, Power Lumbar Support is next, Coming e39 M5 interior light, Bimmer Magazine 8/2007 | | | | | 12-13-2005, 12:41 AM | #3 | | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 1,587 |
I've got the 96+ M3 bushings as well and I think they are good. I couldn't really tell a difference in ride quality, but the steering felt much more direct, and a bit more firm. A very good change IMO. | | | | | 12-13-2005, 12:44 AM | #4 | | aka Stabby Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mead, CO Posts: 5,336 |
the reduction of unspring weight using the aluminum control arms shouldn't net you much. i think the metal ball joints and solid bushings would give better gains for less money. i'm going to look at poly control arm bushings the next time, but that may well add some harshness to the ride. i can say that the e30 m3 offset bushings i used when they were replaced the first time did not add any noticeable harshness to the ride. __________________ 1996 318ti, California package, 267k miles
current mods: bilstein sports, bavauto springs, e30 m3 LCABs, solid metal ball joints, bavauto RSMs w/reinforcements, e30 3.73 LSD & halfshafts, supersprint cat-back exhaust, turner rear sway bar reinforcements, IE poly subframe & RTABs + camber/toe kits, powdercoated e36 32x front calipers, sport mirrors, H&R 28mmF/19mmR sway bars, x-brace, auto solutions SSK w/poly bushing upgrade, BMW CD43 head unit, DICE HD Radio w/iPod integration and "stealth" HD antenna, staggered style 68s, orange electronic TPMS, leather arm rest, JT Designs metal undertray
acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts
2002 X5 4.4 Sport Package, 53.5k miles
Current Mods: e46 m3 steering wheel | | | | | 11-30-2011, 06:38 PM | #5 | | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Phx Posts: 196 |
Another old post I am responding to, but just want to confirm things. I need new front control arm bushings, and this post for bushings at brackets popped up this morning on craigs. $50 from a 97 e36 M3. http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/pts/2728464627.html Am I good to go with picking these up for replacement. I wouldn't need to change anything else out, right? Thanks, Eric | | | | | 11-30-2011, 10:00 PM | #6 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Halethorpe, MD Posts: 1,028 |
I wouldn't go to the trouble of replacing these with used parts. You don't have to buy new brackets if you have access to the tools(or a friend with the tools) to press the old bushings out and press the new ones in. You can get brand new bushings, either stock or urethane for not much more than that. | | | | | 11-30-2011, 10:06 PM | #7 | | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Phx Posts: 196 |
excellent, thanks. | | | | |
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