Looking for sway bars

[L0veZHP]

I purchased Hotchkis H-Sport Front and Rear Adjustable Sway Bars and Endlinks online, but they returned my money because they didnt have any available. Anyone one know any other brand that are just as good? ive seen turners and UUCs but im not sure havent heard anything of them.. any thoughts guys? I wanted the best so I went with Hotchkis..

[danewilson77]

I bet TMS is a fine product. Link?

I mean... All it is, is a hunk of steel. Pretty hard to mess up as long as diameter is a bit beefier than stock.

Don't get all metallurgical on me fella's. I know...

Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

[L0veZHP]

lol tato Dane! whens the next meet btw i want to go

[LivesNearCostco]

I've heard great things about both Turner and UUC. Maybe Bav Auto brand and the Eibach rear are not adjustable? As Dane said, stiffer bars are stiffer bars. The only differences I've seen are...
1) Weight--hollow vs. solid
2) Bushings--Squeakalicious polyurethane (grease periodically) or teflon/poly blend (Turner or H&R)
3) Adjustable end-links, included or not? More important for rear to prevent it from hitting control arm or half shaft
4) Color, price, how many adjustment holes, and how many window stickers they include

Oh there is the Ground Control E46 M3 bar: hollow, available in two thicknesses, infinite adjustment settings, and very expensive. Front bar fits E46 330, rear bar fits M3 only.

Maybe the shape of the ends on the rear bar might influence how much clearance it has between half shaft and lower control arm. I only replaced my front bar so don't know from personal experience, but have seen photos of people having clearance problems with after market rear bars.

[danewilson77]

That would be the more technical explanation to what what I said.

Nice assist LNASC

Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

[LivesNearCostco]

Er yes, Dane, elegant wordsmith!

[danewilson77]

Er yes, Dane, elegant wordsmith!

:)

Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

[LivesNearCostco]

LOveZHP, who was out of stock on the bars? You could try BimmerWorld or BavAuto for Hotchkis, about $500
BavAuto has a set for only $280 but it's not adjustable. UUC sells a set for $350. Be warned that standard poly bushings are reputed to squeak if not greased periodically.

BavAuto also sells a Racing Dyanamics set, $450 for the set. Might come in bright green!

[QC_ZHP]

It says 'Add to cart' on Hotchkis' website:

http://www.hotchkis.net/bmw_e46_sport_sway_bars.html

If not, they have a ton of dealers:

http://www.hotchkis.net/dealer_list.html

Thats if you're dead-set on Hotchkis. I love mine, but I'm sure Turner's are top-notch.

[derbo]

Turner is pretty good. Endlinks are optional on the Turner set. I believe H&R created the set for Turner.

[L0veZHP]

http://www.hotchkis.net/bmw_e46_sport_sway_bars.html the offical website didn't have them.

not even amazon has =[ http://www.amazon.com/Hotchkis-22825-Sport-Sway-Bar/dp/B0050UYOXY/ref=au_as_r?ie=UTF8&Make=BMW%7C31&Model=330i%7C181&Year=2004%7C2004&carId=002&n=15684181&newCar=1&s=automotive&vehicleType=automotive

[Smolck]

I have run TMS, UUC swaybarbarians and the Hotchkis. Where the Hotchkis beat the previously mentioned bars is in the rear bar mounting system. Beefing up the rear sway bar especially is what takes a lot of your understeer out. BUT the stock upper tabs that the bushings mount to are very weak. Some have snapped off due to the extra stress. TMS makes a set of weld on tabs that reinforce the mount, but it requires welding and I don't have a welder.

The Hotchkis rear bar has a specially designed rear mount that reinforces the tabs and eliminates the issue. Not to mention are MUCH easier to install as a result. Just plain better. However, of the three I mentioned, the UUC bars perform the best.

[QC_ZHP]

I have run TMS, UUC swaybarbarians and the Hotchkis. Where the Hotchkis beat the previously mentioned bars is in the rear bar mounting system. Beefing up the rear sway bar especially is what takes a lot of your understeer out. BUT the stock upper tabs that the bushings mount to are very weak. Some have snapped off due to the extra stress. TMS makes a set of weld on tabs that reinforce the mount, but it requires welding and I don't have a welder.

The Hotchkis rear bar has a specially designed rear mount that reinforces the tabs and eliminates the issue. Not to mention are MUCH easier to install as a result. Just plain better. However, of the three I mentioned, the UUC bars perform the best.

Good info. I have no experience with TMS/UUC, but since you mentioned it, the install of Hothckis was very easy. I was set on Hotchkis when searching for a set. I'm fairly sure they are the thickest on the market for the e46

[Smolck]

Good info. I have no experience with TMS/UUC, but since you mentioned it, the install of Hothckis was very easy. I was set on Hotchkis when searching for a set. I'm fairly sure they are the thickest on the market for the e46

The Hotchkis are indeed the thickest, yet the UUC swaybarbarians seemed to allow you to dial out more understeer. Please understand this is my own personal opinion and I am no hard core trackophile like some others, so take it for what it is worth.

[sillieidiot]

the hotchkis are thicker, but that's because it's hollow. it comes out to being about the same stiffness as the other solid bar brands