suspension upgrades

onefireball · 02-23-2016, 07:35 PM

Trying to figure out EXACTLY what I need to do a complete upgrade..for my E92

was planning on getting the 11 piece M3 control arm kit from FCP Euro
And the Ohlins road & track coil over setup.
My concern is If I get the 335i kit from Ohlins that there is a different mount due to the M3 control arms. aslo want to replace the bushings that will be needed to help plant the car...not sure which ones.

Bottom line if anybody has done a complete control arm upgrade to M3 spec, were you still able to get the 335i coil over kit to work with your
m3 parts. Ive heard answers both ways..

Please let me know if I'm missing anything.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Kevin

VTECaddict · 02-23-2016, 11:12 PM

If you are changing to the M3 lower rear control arm, you need M3 struts for the rear because the bottom strut mount is completely different on M vs non-M.

Phil325i · 02-24-2016, 02:23 AM

Personal opinion - if you get the Ohlins kit, you won't need the M3 stuff...

avocet · 02-27-2016, 08:21 AM

M3 bits achieve different things then a coil over set up.

The front arms change geometry and have stiffer bushings.

The rears are stiffer and have stiffer bushings.

I feel you need to do subframe bushings in the rear because that is the weak link back there. I would(and have) done sub bushings first. I am a 328 so don't really make the torque to justify the rear arms. Yet.

And yes, the lower 'wishbone' control arms are not bolt on due to the lower shock mount. But then all kits I have seen for m3 upgrades do not include them.

Jaronbwall · 02-27-2016, 09:25 AM

+1 on the rear subframe bushings

CALWATERBOY · 02-27-2016, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onefireball

Bottom line if anybody has done a complete control arm upgrade to M3 spec

Well, I went with Yellows and M3 rear camber arms - HERE is my story. Not quite what you're doing, but not far from it....

However....job's not done w/o real LSD. Diff is night 'n' day, and you cannot have M3 performance without it.

Ditto rear subframe bushings....I installed M3....other options available up to solid aluminum. Bear in mind I don't track, mine's a backroad barnstormer / traffic weapon. My install exceeded expectations.

Ghostriderf80 · 02-28-2016, 02:26 AM

I did full M3 subframe, front Control arms for camber, rear upper and bilstein kit w LSD.
The one thing I have to say is the bushing makes the biggest diff, then the ability to set - camber. I thought of Ohlin Coil overs, which is a ++++ super kit.

I did my upper rear control arms on Friday. No need to re-allign car. There is a difference, on take off you do not get wheel hop, and you have more precision in corners.

Seeing this diff I am going to likely change the front Control arm which is just a carrier as that one is original and not M3. The camber one is from M3.

If you have the Ohlin kit, well that is something very special and needs proper set up. Bilstein does it for me now but it leaves lots to be desired.

onefireball · 02-28-2016, 08:34 AM

I already have M-factory LSD installed.
I was ready to order the Ohlins kit, but then realized it might not work with the FCP M3 upgrade kit. Still unsure as I have had responses both ways from various forum members. Hopefully I will get the bushing and control arms figured out today since I have some rare free time.

02-23-2016, 07:35 PM	#1
onefireball Private 18 Rep 66 Posts Drives: 2008 335i E92 6MT Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Newnan, Ga iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 535D Msport [0.00] 2011 BMW 335D [0.00] 2008 Porsche 997TT [0.00] 2011 335i E93 [0.00] 2008 335i E92 [0.00] 2008 750i [0.00]	suspension upgrades Trying to figure out EXACTLY what I need to do a complete upgrade..for my E92 was planning on getting the 11 piece M3 control arm kit from FCP Euro And the Ohlins road & track coil over setup. My concern is If I get the 335i kit from Ohlins that there is a different mount due to the M3 control arms. aslo want to replace the bushings that will be needed to help plant the car...not sure which ones. Bottom line if anybody has done a complete control arm upgrade to M3 spec, were you still able to get the 335i coil over kit to work with your m3 parts. Ive heard answers both ways.. Please let me know if I'm missing anything. Thanks in advance for any help! Kevin
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02-23-2016, 11:12 PM	#2
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? 481 Rep 6,067 Posts Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	If you are changing to the M3 lower rear control arm, you need M3 struts for the rear because the bottom strut mount is completely different on M vs non-M. __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: BC BR coilovers \| Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| High-kick CF spoiler \| NBT Retrofit M3 front control arms \| M3 rear guide rods \| Manzo rear toe and camber links \| Monroe rear shock mounts \| Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear
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02-24-2016, 02:23 AM	#3
Phil325i Brigadier General 616 Rep 3,194 Posts Drives: E92 325i MSport Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: UK South East iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW 325i Coupe [6.00]	Personal opinion - if you get the Ohlins kit, you won't need the M3 stuff... __________________ E92 pre-LCI 325i - Ohlins R&T; H&R spacers; M3 strut brace; Swift thrust sheets; 3 x chassis braces; diff brace; N53 V-brace; 034 subframe inserts; BMS clutch stop; BMS CDV; RE g/box mounts; Delrin shift bushes; Saikoumichi OCC; Cyba scoops; BMW Perf Exhaust; HEL s/steel brake hoses; M3 rear spoiler; Recaro Sportster CSs; M3 white dash LEDs; LED Angels; LED side repeaters; BMW Perf black grille; CSL reps; SSDD carbon diffuser; Monster Wrap black roof/clear front
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02-27-2016, 08:21 AM	#4
avocet Major 252 Rep 1,157 Posts Drives: 2007 328i 2011 X5d Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Vancouver bc iTrader: (0)	M3 bits achieve different things then a coil over set up. The front arms change geometry and have stiffer bushings. The rears are stiffer and have stiffer bushings. I feel you need to do subframe bushings in the rear because that is the weak link back there. I would(and have) done sub bushings first. I am a 328 so don't really make the torque to justify the rear arms. Yet. And yes, the lower 'wishbone' control arms are not bolt on due to the lower shock mount. But then all kits I have seen for m3 upgrades do not include them.
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02-27-2016, 09:25 AM	#5
Jaronbwall Driving cars and riding bikes really fast 285 Rep 1,002 Posts Drives: 2009 335i Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Indianapolis iTrader: (0)	+1 on the rear subframe bushings __________________ 335i, sport pkg, 3 pedals, Blacked out, LED markers, OZ Ultraleggera wheels, Firestone Indy 500s, x-pipe, vibrant 1792, PE mod MHD stage 2+, BMS DPs, ARM charge pipe, Tial BOV, ARM FMIC, dual cone, CSF radiator, M3 control arms, sways, HAWK pads. https://www.strava.com/athletes/8309149 Follow me on Strava
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02-28-2016, 02:26 AM	#7
Ghostriderf80 Banned 840 Rep 1,271 Posts Drives: Just a Porsche Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Netz iTrader: (1)	I did full M3 subframe, front Control arms for camber, rear upper and bilstein kit w LSD. The one thing I have to say is the bushing makes the biggest diff, then the ability to set - camber. I thought of Ohlin Coil overs, which is a ++++ super kit. I did my upper rear control arms on Friday. No need to re-allign car. There is a difference, on take off you do not get wheel hop, and you have more precision in corners. Seeing this diff I am going to likely change the front Control arm which is just a carrier as that one is original and not M3. The camber one is from M3. If you have the Ohlin kit, well that is something very special and needs proper set up. Bilstein does it for me now but it leaves lots to be desired.
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02-28-2016, 08:34 AM	#8
onefireball Private 18 Rep 66 Posts Drives: 2008 335i E92 6MT Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Newnan, Ga iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 535D Msport [0.00] 2011 BMW 335D [0.00] 2008 Porsche 997TT [0.00] 2011 335i E93 [0.00] 2008 335i E92 [0.00] 2008 750i [0.00]	I already have M-factory LSD installed. I was ready to order the Ohlins kit, but then realized it might not work with the FCP M3 upgrade kit. Still unsure as I have had responses both ways from various forum members. Hopefully I will get the bushing and control arms figured out today since I have some rare free time.
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