[cpie168]

Thank you for your sharing Kevin. In your opinion, is it worthwhile for a FSB upgrade if one never tracks the car? Is the lean reduction noticeable on the street?

[ktm137]

In my opinion the FSB is definitely worth it, even if one never tracks the car. It just makes it that much more responsive, and (as much as a 3400 or so lbs. car can) feel more go-kart like. In fact, I had to change my turn in for some turns on the way to work since the reaction was quicker.

The lean reduction was the first thing I noticed, even before the response. If I didn't know that the TRW/M3 arms were the next step, I might have gone with the 26.5 bar - a little more lean, but maybe even better balanced. I'll reserve judgement until I get the arms!

[snaimpally]

Originally Posted by ktm137

In my opinion the FSB is definitely worth it, even if one never tracks the car. It just makes it that much more responsive, and (as much as a 3400 or so lbs. car can) feel more go-kart like. In fact, I had to change my turn in for some turns on the way to work since the reaction was quicker.

The lean reduction was the first thing I noticed, even before the response. If I didn't know that the TRW/M3 arms were the next step, I might have gone with the 26.5 bar - a little more lean, but maybe even better balanced. I'll reserve judgement until I get the arms!

Thanks for sharing your experience. I did find the car to be much more planted when I first got the FSB installed. It was only after I got used to it and started getting more aggressive that I found the back end started sliding.

The TRW/M3 arms are worth getting.

[tryingtobebest]

Thanks for a very informative thread with feedback and personal impression guys. I know you are saying a lot of good things about ECS tuning (Like they gave you a discount of some sort LOL) but another reputable dealer ( Turnermotorsport) got some sort of comparison of FRONT swaybars going on HERE

So do all STOCK M3, NON Ms and Xi's REAR swaybars are Solid or Hollow?
And all aftermarket like lets say H&R are...??? (Solid or Hollow)

Still waiting on your complete review of both swaybars in place!)

[Cloud9blue]

Originally Posted by tryingtobebest

Thanks for a very informative thread with feedback and personal impression guys. I know you are saying a lot of good things about ECS tuning (Like they gave you a discount of some sort LOL) but another reputable dealer ( Turnermotorsport) got some sort of comparison of FRONT swaybars going on HERE

So do all STOCK M3, NON Ms and Xi's REAR swaybars are Solid or Hollow?
And all aftermarket like lets say H&R are...??? (Solid or Hollow)

Still waiting on your complete review of both swaybars in place!)

FYI, Turner and ECS are all under the same ownership now.

[nikitino25]

I have the BMW Performance suspension front sway bar, anybody know where it would fall in with the turner comparison chart?
If the M3 bar is only roughly 7% stiffer than the stock bar, the BMW PS bar must be similar...seems like anything less would almost be pointless. Then again, it could be close to stock and just a marketing ploy although I don't know if you can even buy it separately (the bar comes with the whole suspension upgrade kit)...or maybe it's halfway in between at like 3% stiffer and just that small difference is supposed to make a difference? Seems like that would be negligible especially when comparing the H&R bar at 52.44% stiffer than stock. In fact the 7% M3 bar difference seems negligible compared to the HR bar....or even the E93 M3 bar at 13%.....

[marcvtec]

Originally Posted by snaimpally

Just got it installed earlier this week. I will post a full review this weekend. As I got used to the heavier front sway bar, I became more aggressive when cornering and the rear end would slide a bit. Installing the ECS Tuning rear sway bar fixed that problem. Installing the rear sway bar is a bit of a pain as you have to drop the subframe enough to fish the rear sway bar through. Meanwhile the front sway bar is a piece of cake to install. I had Whiteline subframe bushings installed while the subframe was dropped.

If you are going to replace the stock sway bars, I suggest doing both.



Probably not a big difference in terms of the way they perform but price-wise, the ECS Tuning sway bars are cheaper - you can get the front+rear sway bar kit from ECS for the price of just the front E93 M3 FSB.



Excellent question! First, don't bother upgrading the sway bars unless you have an LSD. Second, do both front and rear and not just the front. Once I got used to the heavier front sway bar, I was more aggressive and was appalled at how much the rear was sliding, despite the LSD. There is a reason there is one in front and one in rear. Upgrading one without upgrading the other will imbalance the car. Third, when doing the rear sway bar, you will be dropping the rear subframe, so consider adding bushing inserts or upgrading the bushings (Delrin, Aluminium, M3, etc.) at the same time.

Overall, I am glad I upgraded the sway bars. I think the order in which I have done my upgrades is a good order to follow because the most important upgrades are done first before more subtle upgrades. I think its pointless to upgrade the sway bars if you don't have an LSD and haven't lowered the car using KW (V1, V2, or V3) or B12 Pro kit etc.

Just replying to your last paragraph.
You need not do shocks and springs prior to sways, bushings, toe rods, etc.
I actually have all the M3 components of the suspension and and still running the sport E92 shock/spring. And I love it. Handles great and not a harsh ride.
I actually recommend doing sways and links prior to shock/spring and see if your happy. Then if u feel u need more handling do it. And yes LSD is a must and a diff lockdown kit is also a must.
Happy Handling !

[nikitino25]

Does the diff lockdown help with rear steer or is it mainly to prevent wheel hop?

[snaimpally]

Finally, onto the rear sway bar. I've had it installed for about a month now. First the pics:

You can see how much thicker the ECS Tuning rear sway bar is compared to stock:


Here are the ECS sway bar and the stock sway bar side-by-side:


Subframe has to be lowered a fair bit to enable the sway bar to be fished through:

[snaimpally]

Just to recap, I first replaced the stock front sway bar (FSB) with the ECS Tuning FSB because its a fairly easy install. The rear sway bar (RSB) is a PITA because it requires that the subframe be dropped. Not insurmountable, but it does mean more work compared to installing the FSB.

The RSB does make a difference. The car is more balanced and hunkered down when cornering. I am cornering much more aggressively now compared to when I had the stock sway bars. All in all, upgrading the sway bars is worth it, especially considering that ECS Tuning offers the front and rear sway bar kit at an attractive price (same price as just the FSB for the M3 convertible by itself, which is the heaviest of the OEM FSBs that will fit the E92). If you have made suspension upgrades, such as an LSD or lowering the car, just get it.

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E92-335....0L/ES2828690/

[Raptor04]

Now if ecs could just make a fsb to fit xi cars.

[Tom Droze]

Originally Posted by snaimpally

Just to recap, I first replaced the stock front sway bar (FSB) with the ECS Tuning FSB because its a fairly easy install. The rear sway bar (RSB) is a PITA because it requires that the subframe be dropped. Not insurmountable, but it does mean more work compared to installing the FSB.

The RSB does make a difference. The car is more balanced and hunkered down when cornering. I am cornering much more aggressively now compared to when I had the stock sway bars. All in all, upgrading the sway bars is worth it, especially considering that ECS Tuning offers the front and rear sway bar kit at an attractive price (same price as just the FSB for the M3 convertible by itself, which is the heaviest of the OEM FSBs that will fit the E92). If you have made suspension upgrades, such as an LSD or lowering the car, just get it.

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E92-335....0L/ES2828690/

First, thank you for the very detailed write up and pictures. I just had the M3 front control arms and the M3 28mm front sway bar installed and the improvement in handling is very noticeable. I was a bit concerned about leaving the RSB stock but that concerned flew right out the window with a very aggressive left-hand turn! But I am not one to leave well enough alone. . .

Have you done anything with your rear subframe bushings? If not, you could have installed the RSF bushings inserts when you lowered the subframe, while they are not as good as M3 or other type of performance bushings they do make a noticeable improvement for a nominal cost. Also, I highly recommend the MFactory Differential bushings.

[ECSTuning]

[mmmnot]

Originally Posted by Cloud9blue

FYI, Turner and ECS are all under the same ownership now.

Say, what?

[ECSTuning]

Originally Posted by mmmnot

Say, what?

He's correct, Turner Motorsports is part of the ECS Tuning family. LINK to more info.

-James

[mmmnot]

Originally Posted by ECSTuning

He's correct, Turner Motorsports is part of the ECS Tuning family. LINK to more info.

-James

Holy crap, that's huge news. How'd I miss this? Thanks for the share and congratulations guys!

[ECSTuning]

Originally Posted by mmmnot

Holy crap, that's huge news. How'd I miss this? Thanks for the share and congratulations guys!

Thanks! We're still buzzing about it here in the office!

[mmmnot]

Originally Posted by ECSTuning

Thanks! We're still buzzing about it here in the office!

I know I'm thread jacking - does this mean multiple shipping location? Or will all continue as is just with the background change?

Does this mean ECS will finally offer a pumpkin LSD solution It's harder than hell to find a trusted shop to split open the diff and do the work

[ECSTuning]

Originally Posted by mmmnot

I know I'm thread jacking - does this mean multiple shipping location? Or will all continue as is just with the background change?

Does this mean ECS will finally offer a pumpkin LSD solution It's harder than hell to find a trusted shop to split open the diff and do the work

For now Turner will operate as they always have, as will ECS. You can expect to see both groups products being offered from the other, as well as accelerated product development.

[mmmnot]

Originally Posted by ECSTuning

For now Turner will operate as they always have, as will ECS. You can expect to see both groups products being offered from the other, as well as accelerated product development.

Well, hell yeah!