[supaflyjae]

Looking to upgrade stock front control arm bushings (hydraulic/fluid-filled) and heard that the M3 solid rubber bushings can be a direct replacement without the need for replacing the control arms. Anyone do this?

Here's a link of what I'm referring to: http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-50...1m-e9x-m3.aspx

[Game]

Yes it can be done, however I believe it's quite labor intensive so most suggest spending the extra money and getting the full control arms.

[Johnny Boost]

Originally Posted by Game

Yes it can be done, however I believe it's quite labor intensive so most suggest spending the extra money and getting the full control arms.

+1

For $20 extra per side, you could buy the whole control arm. Search for "TRW" control arms for the M3. TRW is the actual manufacturer of M3 suspension parts. BMW rebrands the parts and charges double the price.

[hockeyplayer]

I need to do this soon also and am considering this upgrade. What I need to know is....can i install *only* the M3 control arms on my XI, or do i need to include other suspension components as well?

thanks

[Johnny Boost]

Originally Posted by hockeyplayer

I need to do this soon also and am considering this upgrade. What I need to know is....can i install *only* the M3 control arms on my XI, or do i need to include other suspension components as well?

thanks

Since the M3 never came in AWD, I'm not sure that the control arms are designed to fit those models.

[supaflyjae]

Originally Posted by Johnny Boost

+1

For $20 extra per side, you could buy the whole control arm. Search for "TRW" control arms for the M3. TRW is the actual manufacturer of M3 suspension parts. BMW rebrands the parts and charges double the price.

Can you guys explain why it's labor intensive? At least more so than replacing with stock bushings? Does the M3 bushing require some extra effort to get it into the stock control arms?

[justpete]

FYI - M3 bushings don't fit non-M3 control arms

[supaflyjae]

Originally Posted by justpete

FYI - M3 bushings don't fit non-M3 control arms

Can you confirm that? Because others say its possible and the vendor I purchased the bushing from says its possible. They took measurements of both bushings and control arms.

[justpete]

Originally Posted by supaflyjae

Can you confirm that? Because others say its possible and the vendor I purchased the bushing from says its possible. They took measurements of both bushings and control arms.

The bushing in the tension arm is a larger diameter so all you'd be replacing are the ones at the chassis which from what I understand also aren't the same diameter but I'd have to dig up some pictures to check that.

Also, changing bushings is more labor than installing new arms so it's cheaper to just install the arms and skip replacing bushings.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by supaflyjae

Can you guys explain why it's labor intensive? At least more so than replacing with stock bushings? Does the M3 bushing require some extra effort to get it into the stock control arms?

Because requires the old to be pressed out and the new pressed in, effort is the same for M or non M or any make and model for that matter. You need to also factor in the possibility of damaging the arm, the bushing or both in the process. So again, replace the hole unit.

Originally Posted by supaflyjae

Can you confirm that? Because others say its possible and the vendor I purchased the bushing from says its possible. They took measurements of both bushings and control arms.

To my knowledge yes for upper control arm and no for the lower. Vendors will tell you anything to make a sale. On top it will most likely come from someone just like (no disrespect) yourself, very little familiar with the parts and the task of removing the old bushings and install new

[supaflyjae]

Yeah these are for the upper control arms.

[koches]

I am in the same boat as you. I have the m3 bushings, I also have an XI. From my readings the old bushings need to be pressed out and m3 ones pressed in.

[brocklanders]

I have no experience with xi models, but I used to have an 06 325 and had a shop install the m3 tension strut bushings that Dinan sells for the non-m cars. Fast forward two vehicles and now I have a 135 so this time I used whiteline poly tension strut and rear subframe bushings which I installed myself with a $120 press from Northern Tool, the HPA bushing removal tool. and the e90 Bentley manual. Not a tough job, I was originally going to remove the tension struts and take them to a shop and press out the old and press in the new, they all told me how difficult it was going to be for them, in reality it was not difficult at all.

[brocklanders]

Originally Posted by justpete

FYI - M3 bushings don't fit non-M3 control arms

This is false, there are two control arms in the front suspension, the ones forward are the tension struts or curved arms which will accept m3 bushings also in my opinion and many others there is no benefit in changing this entire arm the only difference between m and non-m is the bushings. The front suspension "rear" or straight arm has a couple of benefits in replacing with the m version, you get .75 degrees of negative camber and you get a ball joint on each side instead of a bushing on the inboard side and a ball joint on the outside. And once again I have no idea about awd models, my impressions are the suspension set up on xi models are completely different.

[feuer]

Brocklanders you did it yourself and had to purchase $120 tool to do it.
When you factor in the labor and the tool make no financial sense not to replace the whole arm. Plus you can damage the parts, hurt yourself...
Someone that is not mechanically inclines to take on this task and will have to go to a shop is again better of because shop labor will be higher than the price of the arm itself.
I work for a shop and very rarely we do this. Is simply not cost effective for neither side.

[ajsalida]

Originally Posted by koches

I am in the same boat as you. I have the m3 bushings, I also have an XI. From my readings the old bushings need to be pressed out and m3 ones pressed in.

XI bushings are different size than either M3 or RWD non-M. The only non-stock bushings available for front XI are for the tension strut made by Strongflex:

http://www.strongflex.eu/en/45-e90-e91-e92-xi-4x4-05-11

I just did these myself (yellows), big improvement. You will need in addition to the bushings and basic hand tools, a 12 ton hydraulic press or bigger, and some custom fittings. Not an easy job. A lot of info here:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1108425

Someone did manage to make Whiteline non-XI TS bushings fit on an XI, but he had to trim 5mm off each end and off each end of the metal sleeve. Also one guy got Strongflex to make up a set of control arm XI bushings. But it looks like the stock CA bushings are already of M3 type so maybe no need.

[brocklanders]

Originally Posted by feuer

Brocklanders you did it yourself and had to purchase $120 tool to do it.
When you factor in the labor and the tool make no financial sense not to replace the whole arm. Plus you can damage the parts, hurt yourself...
Someone that is not mechanically inclines to take on this task and will have to go to a shop is again better of because shop labor will be higher than the price of the arm itself.
I work for a shop and very rarely we do this. Is simply not cost effective for neither side.

I have yet to see a complete control arm with polyurethane bushings, and now I have a press in my garage that I can use if I need it.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by brocklanders

I have yet to see a complete control arm with polyurethane bushings, and now I have a press in my garage that I can use if I need it.

Please re-read OP post#1, he is inquiring about M3 bushings which are not polyurethane. That is what we are discussing.

[Stream]

There is cheap alternative to M3 bushings - Meyle HD.

[justpete]

Originally Posted by brocklanders

This is false...

You're right, sorry, no idea where I got that bit of misinformation from. Thanks for the correction.

[koches]

Originally Posted by ajsalida

XI bushings are different size than either M3 or RWD non-M. The only non-stock bushings available for front XI are for the tension strut made by Strongflex:

http://www.strongflex.eu/en/45-e90-e91-e92-xi-4x4-05-11

I just did these myself (yellows), big improvement. You will need in addition to the bushings and basic hand tools, a 12 ton hydraulic press or bigger, and some custom fittings. Not an easy job. A lot of info here:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1108425

Someone did manage to make Whiteline non-XI TS bushings fit on an XI, but he had to trim 5mm off each end and off each end of the metal sleeve. Also one guy got Strongflex to make up a set of control arm XI bushings. But it looks like the stock CA bushings are already of M3 type so maybe no need.

Anyone interested in buying m3 bushings?

[Stream]

What about bolt and nut, that holds the bushing? Should I replace it with new or not?