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      11-17-2011, 10:34 AM   #1
E60orBust
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M3 parts - Worth it?

I'm starting my next round of upgrades for my E92 (N54) and given what I have in mind below, would it be worth it to also swap in some M3 control arms and bushings? With what I have below, how much of a difference should I expect?

Here is what I have in mind:
- Catted Down pipes (AR)
- Coilovers (KW V3 / PSSS10)
- Front / rear sway bars (Hotchkis)
- LSD (Quaife / Wavetrac)

I'm debating between the Quaife and Wavetrac for the LSD and KW V3 and Bilstein PSS10 for the coil overs. I have a good deal for the Wavetrac LSD from one of the forum sponsors, but the shop that would be installing it says they are an authorized Quaife dealer and while more expensive, they will warranty any repair work if it has issues down the road.

I'm leaning more towards the KW V3s as I have them on an XI too, plus I've seen several forum posts citing the Billsteins sitting too low at their highest setting. I'm looking for flush, not slammed.
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      11-17-2011, 11:14 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E60orBust View Post
M3 control arms and bushings?
You mean rear subframe bushings? Do it.
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      11-17-2011, 11:21 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GaryS View Post
You mean rear subframe bushings? Do it.
Yes the rear [subframe] bushings. The shop quoting the install basically said since I'm installing the LSD, any rear work is essentially free since they will have it all down anyway, so no real labor on the rear swaybar, which had me thinking about the rear bushings as well.
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Last edited by E60orBust; 11-17-2011 at 11:22 AM.. Reason: missing word
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      11-17-2011, 12:14 PM   #4
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Was told the LSD install doesn't touch any of the subframe bushings,sways,etc.
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      11-17-2011, 12:22 PM   #5
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^ That's correct
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      11-17-2011, 12:27 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr_PharmD View Post
Was told the LSD install doesn't touch any of the subframe bushings,sways,etc.
They are a Dinan certified shop, so I'm not looking a gift horse in the mouth if they say they won't charge me extra to do the rear sway bar since I will be having an LSD installed. I'm looking to see how much of a difference the bushing job will make a difference as far as handling. Given the pending mods, would adding the bushings take it from 4 to 6 or from 3 to 11, the higher being the most planted.
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      11-17-2011, 12:48 PM   #7
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M3 rear subframe bushings add road feel and a ton of stability and make the car feel like one piece. And if you add coilovers without upgrading the rear subframe bushings, the back end will bounce over bumps.
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      11-17-2011, 12:59 PM   #8
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*Adds subframe bushings to cart* - I'm thinking Tischer BMW? What about the control arms?
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      11-17-2011, 01:00 PM   #9
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whats the name of that shop because you have to lower the subframe to do the bushings and the rear swaybar which will require an alignment afterwards. And yes it will make a difference in handling the rear will feel planted.




Quote:
Originally Posted by E60orBust View Post
They are a Dinan certified shop, so I'm not looking a gift horse in the mouth if they say they won't charge me extra to do the rear sway bar since I will be having an LSD installed. I'm looking to see how much of a difference the bushing job will make a difference as far as handling. Given the pending mods, would adding the bushings take it from 4 to 6 or from 3 to 11, the higher being the most planted.
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      11-17-2011, 01:25 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E60orBust View Post
*Adds subframe bushings to cart* - I'm thinking Tischer BMW? What about the control arms?
As long as you're not riding on run flat tires, both front control arms (tension and wishbone links) and rear subframe bushings; maybe rear guide rods to reduce wheel hop further. Since you're on the east coast, Tischer is a good vendor; so is HPA if Tischer is out of stock
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      11-17-2011, 01:37 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tres View Post
whats the name of that shop because you have to lower the subframe to do the bushings and the rear swaybar which will require an alignment afterwards. And yes it will make a difference in handling the rear will feel planted.
ATSpeed Motorsports. They are the closest shop to me and unless one in VA or PA quotes $500 or more under them, they get my business

Edit: So basically PKE9XM3ARMS from Tischer?
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      11-17-2011, 02:08 PM   #12
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I'd also give VAC Motorsports in Philadelphia a call, they can most certainly help out ...
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      11-17-2011, 02:24 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E60orBust View Post
*Adds subframe bushings to cart* - I'm thinking Tischer BMW? What about the control arms?
Get it! Get the whole kit and add the subframe bushings for an extra $240.

PKE9XM3SUSPENSION*

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...47&startrow=76

Your ride suspension will be awesome! Especially with a LSD. I have the Quaife...had it for nearly four years. Perfect complement to the suspension.

Go for it!
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      11-17-2011, 04:54 PM   #14
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I think you should consider contacting Clem. I've seen nothing but great reviews of his installs. I think he's located in Columbia MD.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=561186
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=565780

I also recommend Induktion Motorsports for very reasonable pricing.

http://www.4induktion.com/index.htm
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      11-17-2011, 06:28 PM   #15
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You should also add the rear wishbones and guide rods
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      11-17-2011, 07:35 PM   #16
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ok i did my alignment there they are good but a little too expensive sometimes, they said it would cost me $875 for the bushings. also i did my diff install at clems no issues.



Quote:
Originally Posted by E60orBust View Post
ATSpeed Motorsports. They are the closest shop to me and unless one in VA or PA quotes $500 or more under them, they get my business

Edit: So basically PKE9XM3ARMS from Tischer?
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      11-18-2011, 07:55 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E60orBust View Post
I'm leaning more towards the KW V3s as I have them on an XI too, plus I've seen several forum posts citing the Billsteins sitting too low at their highest setting. I'm looking for flush, not slammed.
I would also opt for the KW rather than the Bilstein. Except if you want something even better like the Öhlins Road & Track. I've experienced quite a few problems with the Bilstein and am not the only one (review is in the links in my signature).

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      11-18-2011, 08:30 AM   #18
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From my research, the maximum height of the KW V3 for e90 is exactly the same as the M-Sport suspension height, which I find very convenient. You don't want to be stuck with a slammed car. In general twin-tube shocks have more suspension travel than monotubes (because there is no need for the pressurized gas reservoir at the bottom of the shock). That's why Bilstein couldn't manage to have a decent maximum ride height (because if they did, you couldn't lower the car enough if you wanted a slammed look).
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      11-18-2011, 08:58 AM   #19
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Alpina, your review (and 'Ring photos) was one of the reviews that shifted me back to the KW V3's. A slammed look might be good for a car show or photo shoot, but its impractical for DD, especially where I live.

Back to the LSD debate; I'm waiting to hear back from the vendor to see what their Install Kit includes since my MY has a welded diff (Awesome!), but given that info, the shop I would be working with says the price of either the Quaife or Wavetrac (+install kits) and the labor to get the unit un-welded and re-machined, I will be in DINAN territory, which is a simple 'pumpkin' swap. I doubt that the install kit is a pumpkin though.

I haven't seen many reviews of the DINAN differential as most people go with Quaife because of their lower prices and durability. I've also read that DINAN is a rebadged Quaife so I'm a bit stuck in the middle. Either way my car will be in the shop for 2 days and the difference on install prices might be ~$500.
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      11-18-2011, 08:02 PM   #20
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Can't comment on the coil-overs. I am using KW Series 1. It was the first mod I did, and the car seemed so much more stable when cornering that I haven't bothered with any more suspension mods. I do have a Quaife LSD and I am very happy with it. I don't track my car, so I am not sure if and what more I am going to do with the suspension?
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      11-18-2011, 09:37 PM   #21
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Looks like I'm going dinan lsd. Heard back from the site vendor and the install kit is more or less a mail-em-your-pumpkin deal. Thats not practical for me to do so I guess I bite the bullet.
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      11-18-2011, 11:30 PM   #22
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Quote:
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I'd also give VAC Motorsports in Philadelphia a call, they can most certainly help out ...
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