e90 trw m3 or oem lemforder

ghostedtamil · 08-22-2022, 05:04 PM

I have been told by veteran bmw mechanic to keep the OEM BMW ride and feel and not to modify as the "Forums" tell us to do.

Silnismo · 08-22-2022, 09:29 PM

M3 arms are definitely an huge upgrade, handling and driving feel are all instantly better. Definitely do it!

I have the M3 arms front and back and one of the best upgrades on my daily.

edycol · 08-22-2022, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostedtamil

I have been told by veteran bmw mechanic to keep the OEM BMW ride and feel and not to modify as the "Forums" tell us to do.

Definitely do it!

Tambohamilton · 08-23-2022, 01:44 AM

Comparing OEM suspension arms in near-new condition with new M3 arms.... I say definitely go with M3 arms. It's not like every part of your chassis is some kind of special sauce; some parts of it were deliberately neutered so that the M3 stands out.

That said, if you want maximum comfort and don't care about improving the handling, stick with OE.

gjm120 · 08-23-2022, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

Comparing OEM suspension arms in near-new condition with new M3 arms.... I say definitely go with M3 arms. It's not like every part of your chassis is some kind of special sauce; some parts of it were deliberately neutered so that the M3 stands out.

That said, if you want maximum comfort and don't care about improving the handling, stick with OE.

True. And if you're still on runflats (which I doubt), the comfort loss will be more pronounced.

edycol · 08-23-2022, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gjm120

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

Comparing OEM suspension arms in near-new condition with new M3 arms.... I say definitely go with M3 arms. It's not like every part of your chassis is some kind of special sauce; some parts of it were deliberately neutered so that the M3 stands out.

That said, if you want maximum comfort and don't care about improving the handling, stick with OE.

True. And if you're still on runflats (which I doubt), the comfort loss will be more pronounced.

Rear subframe bushings and thrust arm bushing (going polyurethane) and shock mount (going Monroe) IMO have more effects on comfort than M3 arms.

gjm120 · 08-23-2022, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edycol

Rear subframe bushings and thrust arm bushing (going polyurethane) and shock mount (going Monroe) IMO have more effects on comfort than M3 arms.

No my experience. I saw nearly zero comfort loss with poly RSFB and very little with the Monroe shock mounts.

Besides, I think he was asking about control arms.

edycol · 08-23-2022, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gjm120

Quote:

Originally Posted by edycol

Rear subframe bushings and thrust arm bushing (going polyurethane) and shock mount (going Monroe) IMO have more effects on comfort than M3 arms.

No my experience. I saw nearly zero comfort loss with poly RSFB and very little with the Monroe shock mounts.

Besides, I think he was asking about control arms.

Maybe "comfort " is wrong word. Stiffer. Which is the point.

The Nightman · 08-24-2022, 02:25 AM

You'll definitely see an increase in NVH from the solid rubber bushing on the M3 thrust arms. I've heard that new OE isn't that far off from M3 - most of us go from failed OE bushings to M3 solid bushings, resulting in a massive increase in handling.

Tambohamilton · 08-24-2022, 05:06 AM

Mine were only a few 000 miles old when I replaced them with M3...still noticed the handling was way sharper!

gjm120 · 08-24-2022, 08:45 AM

I recall on this forum, people have actually reverted back to stock arms after installing the "M" ones. One of the two arms creates more nvh - I think it's the tension struts but not sure.

I didn't consider going back to stock for a second b/c the better handling and feedback was well worth it. Can't recall complaints on the 1er subforum, but people don't get a 1 Series expecting much comfort.

whyzee125 · 09-13-2022, 09:15 PM

If you're asking the forum, you already know they're going to say yes. He says no. It's ultimately your car, what do you want?

Sharper steering with more feedback at the cost of a little NVH? Do it.

Happy with how the car steers and responds and don't want any NVH? Don't do it.

FWIW, I really dislike NVH and usually lean towards comfort if I must compromise and I think the M3 arms are totally worth it. No regrets at all.

08-22-2022, 05:04 PM	#1
ghostedtamil Enlisted Member 25 Rep 47 Posts Drives: e90 330i Sport Manual Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Pitt iTrader: (0)	e90 trw m3 or oem lemforder I have been told by veteran bmw mechanic to keep the OEM BMW ride and feel and not to modify as the "Forums" tell us to do. Last edited by ghostedtamil; 08-22-2022 at 07:33 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

08-22-2022, 09:29 PM	#2
Silnismo Second Lieutenant 226 Rep 290 Posts Drives: BMW 325i Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: NJ iTrader: (1)	M3 arms are definitely an huge upgrade, handling and driving feel are all instantly better. Definitely do it! I have the M3 arms front and back and one of the best upgrades on my daily.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-23-2022, 01:44 AM	#4
Tambohamilton Brigadier General 3058 Rep 3,909 Posts Drives: E91 330d Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Herefordshire iTrader: (0)	Comparing OEM suspension arms in near-new condition with new M3 arms.... I say definitely go with M3 arms. It's not like every part of your chassis is some kind of special sauce; some parts of it were deliberately neutered so that the M3 stands out. That said, if you want maximum comfort and don't care about improving the handling, stick with OE.
	Appreciate 1 jacbo78.50 Quote

08-24-2022, 02:25 AM	#9
The Nightman Cometh 1090 Rep 1,305 Posts Drives: Boy's Soul Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Boy's Hole iTrader: (4) Garage List E90 LCI "330i& ... [10.00]	You'll definitely see an increase in NVH from the solid rubber bushing on the M3 thrust arms. I've heard that new OE isn't that far off from M3 - most of us go from failed OE bushings to M3 solid bushings, resulting in a massive increase in handling.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-24-2022, 05:06 AM	#10
Tambohamilton Brigadier General 3058 Rep 3,909 Posts Drives: E91 330d Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Herefordshire iTrader: (0)	Mine were only a few 000 miles old when I replaced them with M3...still noticed the handling was way sharper!
	Appreciate 1 The Nightman1090.00 Quote

08-24-2022, 08:45 AM	#11
gjm120 Colonel 2182 Rep 2,806 Posts Drives: 2013 128i, 2021 230i Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: East Texas iTrader: (1)	I recall on this forum, people have actually reverted back to stock arms after installing the "M" ones. One of the two arms creates more nvh - I think it's the tension struts but not sure. I didn't consider going back to stock for a second b/c the better handling and feedback was well worth it. Can't recall complaints on the 1er subforum, but people don't get a 1 Series expecting much comfort. __________________ E82 / BMWP Springs / Koni Yellows / M front control arms / Adjustable front endlinks / M rear guide rods / Whiteline Poly RSFB
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-13-2022, 09:15 PM	#12
whyzee125 Brigadier General 1676 Rep 3,641 Posts Drives: Dinan stage 2 335i Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Chattanooga Tn iTrader: (0)	If you're asking the forum, you already know they're going to say yes. He says no. It's ultimately your car, what do you want? Sharper steering with more feedback at the cost of a little NVH? Do it. Happy with how the car steers and responds and don't want any NVH? Don't do it. FWIW, I really dislike NVH and usually lean towards comfort if I must compromise and I think the M3 arms are totally worth it. No regrets at all.
	Appreciate 1 johnnyorange52.50 Quote