Should I put in M3 bushings?

[El Presidente]

Wondering if I should got for the m3 bushings, since my originals are shot.

What performance enhancement will i feel with the stock suspension?

[jllphan]

They should fit fine, they do on my car. You will notice a little firmer ride if anything, and is just a better part. My mechanic recomends them for anyone wanting to replace with better than standard oem replacements.

[El Presidente]

any idea on the cost difference?

[Autotechnica]

Which bushings? Control arm, rear trailing arm, shock mounts, tranny, diff etc..

I didn't really notice any difference when I swapped to the '95 style M3 offset CA bushings. It wasn't any stiffer but they last a hell of a lot longer. Obviously I had more turn-in because of the offset.

I felt a slight increase in stiffness when I swapped to the M3 rear trailing arm bushings. However, my previous bushings were pretty worn out so I can't really compare the two. They also last longer as they have a metal casing which compresses the bushing when installed.

If you're more performenace oriented, I'd opt for the Urethane bushings. Unless you can find super good deals on M3 parts or find them used, I think it'll be more worth it to go with the Urethane bushings.

Anyways, swapping in M3 parts can only do good things for your car Some parts are identical to regular E36's though, so becareful what you swap. Some dealer part numbers have different part numbers for M3's and regular 3 series, even though they are the exact same part. They actually charge more for the M3 parts in some cases. eg. M3 rear trailing arm bushings have different part numbers than the 96+ E36 bushings, even though they are the same.

Bry

[jllphan]

Originally posted by Autotechnica@Jul 3 2004, 07:27 PM
eg. M3 rear trailing arm bushings have different part numbers than the 96+ E36 bushings, even though they are the same.

Bry

Are you sure about that? My tech told me they were not the same and installed the ///M versions based on longer life and a denser composite. He could have just made that up to charge me more, but I have used him for a number of years and never had the feeling he was jacking me around.

At any rate, Autotechnica said it, ///M parts are usually nothing but good for your car. It may just take some getting aclimated to (right Auto, stiff clutch , but it takes a little getting used to :wink ).

[bitcore]

I had my LCA bushings replaced and it's a lot better now than it was. I say you get them, if not those, then go ueathane

[El Presidente]

well the dealer that is doing the work will only install OE parts, otherwise I would go for urethanes. I'll call and see what the rpice difference is. Hopefully I'll be able to get a loaner, since today that got $750 some dollars, and are about to get $2000 more.

[mikester328]

$2000 ? Your car is about 4 to 5 times as much as far as how much your car is worth... we really have fun with these machines but we do pay for them... Good luck Pres with your installation and all.

Mike

[bitcore]

we need the forumla one jacks in our car... press a button and the car jacks it self up a foot in like, 1 second.

[Autotechnica]

The '95 and earlier RTAB were actually discontinued due to their faulty design. After 1996 they actually used the M3 bushings in all '96+ E36's. Yet another part that BMW should have but did not recall.

Anyways, I've compared the E36 '96+ bushings and the M3 bushings, they are indentical. If I'm wrong, feel free to crap all over my comparison. :wink

Bry

[El Presidente]

I say 2k. Its really a collection of one time stuff due to milage so its not that bad.

cooling system check (make sure everything is fine after todays flush)
brake system diagnostic (not sure why this is there, need to ask)
o2
bushings
guibo
alignment
tires

The total minus the o2 is $1756.04.

Plus im not paying for it this time.

[Kevin325i]

Screw urethane, delrin is the way to go people.

Anyone know where I can get a set of urethane bushings for my 325i. Any thoughts at all? I need the sway bar ones and LCAs the most. If you know of an offset urethane bushing that'd be even better.

Kevin

[El Presidente]

bmpd carries a wide selection of bushings.

[jllphan]

Originally posted by bitcore@Jul 3 2004, 08:18 PM
we need the forumla one jacks in our car... press a button and the car jacks it self up a foot in like, 1 second.

I REALLY want those....

[uber e36]

el presidente... i'm hammered getting home from the club at 3:30am... pm me about this and i'll get you the cost difference... i think it's worth it... the stock bushings are filled with holes to give a smoother ride, as opposed to the m3 which are solid and give a tighter response....