Anybody Installed M3 Control Arm Bushings?

[abemcclellan]

i got a 325is and i'm about to put 2 new control arms with new ball joints and bushings on, but i was wondering if anyone has ever put M3 bushings on their bimmer. i don't want to get the urethene bushings because my friend put them on his car, and they squeak. any help will be appreciated. -Thanks

[Furious]

i know lots of people put them on, and ive had this conversation with autotechnica about this recentlly, i think he said the control arms are the same, but lighter, the balljoints and bushings are better though.

[Autotechnica]

The only better control arms you can get are the E30 aluminum control arms. They are stronger, lighter and more expensive.

Anyways, as for the bushings, the stock E36 control arm bushings are really flimsly. They are not solid rubber bushings. They are like a T shape bushing with huge gaps inside which are prone to cracks and rips. The M3 bushing is a complete round rubber bushing with no gaps at all thus making it stiffer. The M3 bushings will last you years to come. My track buddy says 4-5 years no problem if you drive moderately hard. Anyways, I'd opt for the '95 M3 bushings as they are offsetted and pushing your wheels forward giving you slightly better turn-in. The '96+ M3 bushings are centered and will give you the same toe-in as the stock bushings.

I have the '95 offsetted M3 bushings and I'm very happy with them.

Bry

[Cruzin 323is]

i just recently changed both front control arms, bushings, ball joint and tie rods... its an exspensive upgrade!

[Autotechnica]

Originally posted by Cruzin 323is@Mar 10 2005, 12:58 PM
i just recently changed both front control arms, bushings, ball joint and tie rods... its an exspensive upgrade!

[snapback]308047[/snapback]

If the control arms aren't cracked, you don't need to replace them, did you damage them?

The CA bushings are around $80 a pair for the M3 and balljoints around 40-60 and tie rods about $30 each. The control arms are $150 each but those usually last the lifetime of the car.

Bry

[abemcclellan]

yeah thats what i was lookin for. i was pretty sure they were a lot stiffer than stock e36 bushings, but its good to have other people confirm it with you. thanks guys. and my control arms aren't bent or cracked, its just i need new ball joints and sway bar links, so i'm fixing to just replace the whole front end, like new control arms, ball joints, tie rods, bushings and links. but i was looking at the control arms on bavauto, and they come with ball joints already on them so thats a plus. -Thanks guys

[abemcclellan]

oh yeah, so i don't think i need the offset bushings. I just want the m3 bushings that are centered like stock, just stiffer. So i would need 96-99 M3 bushings?