[heatfan03]

I believe this was just released but im not sure
http://accessories.bmwusa.com/ItemVi...=6&subItemId=1

Performance Suspension
With a tighter, sportier feeling and lower suspension setting of 15mm in comparison with series-production vehicles, the inclusion of a BMW Performance control arm with stiffer bushings gives your 3 Series an almost instinctual feel for the road. With adjusted spring rates and bushings, roll is drastically reduced, creating cat-like quickness, increased responsiveness, and stunning agility. Flexing with the motion of your vehicle around even the tightest curves, a BMW Performance control arm means athletic handling, faster turn-ins, and a totally immediate and much more intense reaction to the tarmac. It delivers a perfect compromise between racing car performance and driving comfort. $695.00

anyway Im a newb with suspension and stuff but i see this is quite a bit less than the KW V3 coilover set i have been looking at. What does that coilover set give that this set does not. IE could someone give me a comparison to someone who is trying to learn about cars but currently has a low iq in the parts and such department.

[Ron@Modbargains]

This is a not a coilover - its a control arm for $695!

You would do better with a Sway bar set, like the UUC one available here.

[Neema]

i wonder if the control arms and bushings will work on a coupe

[heatfan03]

Originally Posted by Ron************

This is a not a coilover - its a control arm for $695!

You would do better with a Sway bar set, like the UUC one available here.

ha thanks for making me look stupid ha ha Jk thx for the info mate. So am i right in saying that its an overpriced item that you can have as well as a coilover set?

[stressdoc]

Look carefully at what is included. In some cases (some models) the performance suspension is a great option. Near as most of us can tell from the limited info available so far, what you get is a M-sport suspension, or at least some major parts of it. Unfortunately the parts included are not clearly specified, so you may expect springs, dampers (shocks), sway bars, suspension arms, bushings, ... but only get some of them. IMO a full M-sport suspension is really nice to get at these prices. Especially if you are going from standard (non-ZSP). Plus it's all backed by factory warranty.

[heatfan03]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

Look carefully at what is included. In some cases (some models) the performance suspension is a great option. Near as most of us can tell from the limited info available so far, what you get is a M-sport suspension, or at least some major parts of it. Unfortunately the parts included are not clearly specified, so you may expect springs, dampers (shocks), sway bars, suspension arms, bushings, ... but only get some of them. IMO a full M-sport suspension is really nice to get at these prices. Especially if you are going from standard (non-ZSP). Plus it's all backed by factory warranty.

well i dont see how u could be getting more than the KW V3 coilover set when that costs about 3 times more. So this is why i was asking

[Chowbow]

Might not be a bad thing... The control arms (at least the rears) on the e9x look flimsy as hell. I was a little surprised when I was installing everything to see the chintzy control arm on the rears.

[TSM330i]

What does the standard sport suspension include? (when you order the car with the sport suspension)

It says sport suspension calibration.

[lhN54heaven]

Any reason why I shouldn't expect a perfomance gain by mating my Bilstein coilover kit with the new BMW performance control arm for my 335i?

Any problems with this combo?

[Ron@Modbargains]

Originally Posted by lhN54heaven

Any reason why I shouldn't expect a perfomance gain by mating my Bilstein coilover kit with the new BMW performance control arm for my 335i?

Any problems with this combo?

You should be fine, I dont see why there would be a problem with the combo. Let us know how you like the combination.

[xdrive]

So, does this control arm lower your vehicle 15mm from stock config?

[Chowbow]

Curious as to what this really does... A beefy control arm is all I want, I don't want to go any lower than my Eibachs. Although I could run stock springs with these if it did lower the car.

[scollins]

This is from Tischer's website about the kit:

33500429574* Each $695.00 $695.00
$555.00
BMW Performance Suspension Kits

At the heart of performance is handling. And how well a BMW handles is directly influenced by its suspension. BMW Perormance Suspension lets you savor every curve and every corner like never before.

Suspension kit with optimum balance of comfort and handling
Better all-round performance
Tighter performance when changing direction quickly
Reduced ride height (depending on model)
Available for E90 3 Series from start of production

*Chassis alignment required.

E90's up to 06/2006 with Sport Suspension (S226A=Yes) must also order 2 front guide supports (31306775098).

E90's up to 06/2006 without Sport Suspension (S226A=No) must also order rear stabilizer (33556764426), front stabilizer (31356766288), 2 front guide supports (31306775098), and new springs.

E90's from 06/2006 without Sport Suspension (S226A=No) must also order rear stabilizer (33556764426), front stabilizer (31356766288), and new springs.

E90's from 06/2006 with Sport Suspension (S22A=Yes) require no additional parts.

**Provide vin number when ordering!!!

Since it says that E90's from 06/06 and on without Sport need to order rear stab, front stab and new springs, I'm guessing this kit does NOT include those items at all. So for an E90 with Sport, you won't get any more reduction in ride height, nor will the spring rates change.

I'd really like to know exactly what this kit contains for $550.....

[iwanta335]

It contains struts & shocks. That's it. They are the same ones on the Euro M Sport pkg, and are firmer than ZSP.

[stressdoc]

The Performance accessories unit has been a big disappointment so far. Disorganized, poorly presented, not much of interest. If they follow through on the potential, it will be a huge hit. But up to now? Meh.

[flukey]

I honestly think that the BMW Performance unit is receiving pressure and hold ups due to other business units within BMW... particularly the M division. I'm sure BMWNA is aware of the 335 tuner community and the performance people are getting out of their cars with aftermarket coilovers, sway bars, piggy backs, exhaust modifications, etc. I'm sure sales people and M division people do not want to allow every BMW owner to turn his/her car into a "M Killer."

BMW definately does not want to canibalize sales of the M series by providing modifications for "lesser" cars. In addition, if they do finally roll out modifications for the 335, they've got to determine a pricing scheme that generates enough sales to generate a profit.

Furthermore, BMWNA might hurt customer relations by offering, one, a car that is undertuned so that they can make more money off of future upgrades, and two, an M car that is considered underdeveloped because a "lesser" car can be "made" to perform better.

One might argue, a 335 can never be a M3, however, in today's world it is a performance oriented market. The quicker, faster, more agile, and more advanced the car, the more hype, press, and revenue it will generate. BMW wants its M division to define its potential. It doesn't want to turn into a JDM, where its "modification" division is the talk of the company...

Just some thoughts...

PS. I gurantee BMW enjoys the maintainence income from people with aftermarket modifications voiding warranty :P

[stressdoc]

BMW performance parts do not void warranty.
Rumor had it that eventually some of the parts could be installed at the factory.
I do not see any issues with product overlap with the M3. If you want to turn your 335 into an M3 it would cost a ton more than just getting the M3 in the first place. BMW AG is not worried about 335 owners improving the suspension etc. because the M would be threatened.

[flukey]

Let's just stick to the 3-series. BMW AG does not want any 3-series to match the perfomance of the M3. What is the point of selling an M3 when a customer can buy a 335, purchase a few BMW performance parts and have a M3 rivaling machine. First, that doesn't look good when the press starts to uncover that a BMW Performance 335 is as good if not better than an M3. Second, the public's perception of BMW could eventually change. BMW is known for its M series... not because it produces highly tunable cars.

BMW is the ultimate driving machine. In a perfect world the 335 should never have perfomance equal to or greater than M3... that's just dumb marketing.

Also, putting out perfomance parts gives competitors (other aftermarket companies) an idea on safe limits for aftermarket parts. Once thats available, aftermarket companies can create products that produce the same performance increase, but undercut BMW's prices.

I forgot to mention the overhead caused by introducing perfomance parts. Overhead including training for service employees, probability of increased warranty claims, quality of product verse competitors, etc.

[Chowbow]

Does this really matter? There are some parts listed on their site, and we're just trying to find out what it is.

In the image, that control arm is definitely not what comes from the factory.

[flukey]

lol yeah im intrested in whether the control arm is replaced as well. I definately would do the upgrade just for the control arm upgrade because I have KW V3s...

[stressdoc]

Control arms are not that expensive, about $150-200. The joints on the E46 were notorious for wearing out early (I replaced mine at 75k miles), not sure if the E9x will have a similar weakness. Regardless, not a bad plan to replace them after 30k miles or so. It would be nice if they were covered under the service plan...

[xdrive]

So, does anyone know if this control arm will lower your car 15mm?