Help with Suspension Refresh at 50k miles/10 years

[BMWCurves]

Yup, I edited my post above to reflect that.

Appreciate it. Is there any significant design difference between the M3 and standard ball-joints? Looking them up it seems that both M3s and non-M e46s use them now. And is it 2x of them per side (upper and lower), for a total of four?

Front swaybar endlinks
Tie rods - at least an inspection

Lemforder for both

[anandoc]

Appreciate it. Is there any significant design difference between the M3 and standard ball-joints? Looking them up it seems that both M3s and non-M e46s use them now. And is it 2x of them per side (upper and lower), for a total of four?

According to RealOEM, on the non-M E46s, the lower joint (where the trailing arm meets the lower control arm), a rubber bushing is used from the factory (33326771828):

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=33_0840

Whereas only the upper joint uses a ball joint. Only the M3 (and perhaps the Z4M) uses ball joints in both the upper and lower joints. My guess is that since the rubber bushing does not allow any articulation, it will wear out sooner. Slater might know more about this topic

Yes, you need 2x ball joints on each side - so a total of 4. The latest part number is 33306852895, which supersedes 33326775551.

[slater]

According to RealOEM, on the non-M E46s, the lower joint (where the trailing arm meets the lower control arm), a rubber bushing is used from the factory (33326771828):

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=33_0840

Whereas only the upper joint uses a ball joint. Only the M3 (and perhaps the Z4M) uses ball joints in both the upper and lower joints. My guess is that since the rubber bushing does not allow any articulation, it will wear out sooner. Slater might know more about this topic

Yes, you need 2x ball joints on each side - so a total of 4. The latest part number is 33306852895, which supersedes 33326775551.

my name is slater, and i support this statement.

anando, glad the car is feeling good! the M and non-M ball joints are the same. william (and anyone else), if you're replacing everything, it costs maybe $40 more to upgrade to the ball joints in the lower outer location - and the M Division used it there for a reason!

[BMWCurves]

Thanks gentleman, I added those part numbers (listed below) to the original post:

Additional parts for a suspension refresh to consider:

• Front sway bar end links (2x) (31356780847)
• Rear sway bar end links (2x) (33551094619)
• Front sway bar bushing (2x) (33556751269)
• Rear sway bar bushing (2x) (33551138104)
• M3 Rear outer upper and lower ball joints (4x) (33306852895)

[BADCLOWN]

I had H&R f/r sways on my first ZHP and it was the only suspension mod it had. Car handled amazing and will be going with them again next year for my current zhp

[UdubBadger]

I'm doing a mini refresh on the E90 M3. FLCA's, RTABs and new trailing arms (upgrading to ECS solid ones because racecar) and front end links.

Adjustable end links from Turner are a must if you are lowered. They'll last so much longer than oem.


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[BMWCurves]

I had H&R f/r sways on my first ZHP and it was the only suspension mod it had. Car handled amazing and will be going with them again next year for my current zhp

Sounds like they were a good setup! I didn't mention them in the original post parts list on the assumption that sway bars don't really need "refreshing" per se like shocks and bushings do in our cars. That's not to say I am not personally considering getting a mild upgrade of E46 M3 front and E46 330Ci convertible rear sway bars. Just a slight bump in size. Or maybe a slightly larger set. Who knows

Currently UUC's SwayBarbarian kit (27mm front/23.5 mm rear) is 25% off if anyone is looking: http://store.uucmotorwerks.com/swayb...pt-xi-p54.aspx

I'm doing a mini refresh on the E90 M3. FLCA's, RTABs and new trailing arms (upgrading to ECS solid ones because racecar) and front end links.

Adjustable end links from Turner are a must if you are lowered. They'll last so much longer than oem.

Sounds like that'll be a nice upgrade. And good info on the end links!

[BADCLOWN]

That's a pretty good deal on a kit

[Zaks]

Quick question for you guys... i'm thinking of going with the Z4M FCABs and most posts here (at least first few pages) say it increases caster. However, from photos I've seen (like the ECS attached pic) indicate the bushing hole is on the inside/center of car, which means camber increases, not caster... I assume some guys are putting in the bushing so the hole is on the bottom of the bracket OR ECS put them in wrong OR they're like that in the ECS photo only for the Z4M whereas they can be used in different orientations for other cars... thoughts?




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[BMWCurves]

Your logic makes sense to me. As far as I recall, the picture from ECS is correct. All I know is that after the Z4M FCABs I was able to get my car into proper alignment (including camber) except for caster which was increased.