How much difference do sway bars make for handling?

aphael · 03-14-2021, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skoidat69

I have an E91 AWD with front and rear sway bars... it's really nice.. almost no body roll... I can take 40mph off/on ramps at 70+ no problem

no real comparison, thats an awd chassis with about 400lb more. not to mention the feeling of flat ride doesn't mean that its actually faster, maybe gives you more confidence. a lot of the times, some roll is actually faster.

Skoidat69 · 03-14-2021, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aphael

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skoidat69

I have an E91 AWD with front and rear sway bars... it's really nice.. almost no body roll... I can take 40mph off/on ramps at 70+ no problem

no real comparison, thats an awd chassis with about 400lb more. not to mention the feeling of flat ride doesn't mean that its actually faster, maybe gives you more confidence. a lot of the times, some roll is actually faster.

Better handling I guess makes me more confident.. but totally different car.. the rear was a pain to install

streetpro · 04-08-2021, 05:36 AM

My car is 335i e92 rwd:
- adding 20mm M3 rear stab did improve the roll stiffness which was fine when driving hard on long turns (typically highway entries/exits) but was loosing traction on slow turns (esp. uneven surface, turn into intersection when wet)
- adding e93 M3 front made the car way more balanced and helped with the traction issue, however, if I had a chance to do it over again, I would have not do the rear...
- adding the M3 upper brace made a nice subtle change in turn-in feeling...

And of course get those 4 front M3 arms as it makes a significant impact preliminary to that above.

neilvan · 04-08-2021, 08:01 AM

M3 rear bars arn't recommended in the rear because(as you mentioned) you can lose traction in places unless you have an LSD. for an open diff I believe the x-drive/E93 sport rear 15mm bar is a better compromise while still being an upgrade.

M3 arms/braces will always help; Plus if you're an E90 the E92 braces will help the car even more.

The E93 front bar will likely add too much front bias(understeer) unless you have a bar just as big in the back to match; The standard M3 car is probably plenty unless you have some aggressive coils+ M3 rear/lsd

04-08-2021, 05:36 AM	#25
streetpro Second Lieutenant 87 Rep 236 Posts Drives: e92 335iA Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Prague iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 Bmw e92 335iA [0.00]	My car is 335i e92 rwd: - adding 20mm M3 rear stab did improve the roll stiffness which was fine when driving hard on long turns (typically highway entries/exits) but was loosing traction on slow turns (esp. uneven surface, turn into intersection when wet) - adding e93 M3 front made the car way more balanced and helped with the traction issue, however, if I had a chance to do it over again, I would have not do the rear... - adding the M3 upper brace made a nice subtle change in turn-in feeling... And of course get those 4 front M3 arms as it makes a significant impact preliminary to that above. __________________ "If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough.” Mario Andretti
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-08-2021, 08:01 AM	#26
neilvan Major 858 Rep 1,363 Posts Drives: 09 E90 335i M-Sport 6MT RWD Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW E61 530xi [0.00] 1993 Mazda Miata [0.00] 2009 BMW E90 335i [0.00]	M3 rear bars arn't recommended in the rear because(as you mentioned) you can lose traction in places unless you have an LSD. for an open diff I believe the x-drive/E93 sport rear 15mm bar is a better compromise while still being an upgrade. M3 arms/braces will always help; Plus if you're an E90 the E92 braces will help the car even more. The E93 front bar will likely add too much front bias(understeer) unless you have a bar just as big in the back to match; The standard M3 car is probably plenty unless you have some aggressive coils+ M3 rear/lsd
	Appreciate 0 Quote