M3 bushings - United Bimmer Community

**E36Bimmer** · 11-22-2005, 10:32 AM

So I'm thinking of taking my car to the next level and I have made an appointment with ICS Performance to check out my car. I wanted to have the parts ready for them so they can redo my front suspension: tie rods, bushings, ball joints.. Naturally I want to get M3 everything, but Im wondering what the advantages are for the offset M3 bushings. Any input is welcome..Thanks!

Edit: This is all necessary because im planning a turbo set-up and want this bithc in tip top handling shape..

**bitcore** · 11-22-2005, 12:37 PM

I am in the process of isntalling new meyle control arms and offset m3 lemfoeder (OEM) bushings.

I'll let you know what the difference is. The only change in this setup is a more rigid ball joint and the offset bushings. I can't finish today because I lost my swaybar nut (DO NOT ASK HOW!) and I had to drive a jeep back to my home (farm, where I worked on it, is in virginia) to get some new ones :\

And wow, compaired to the new ball joints, the ones on my old control arms were loose as hell, and I've got a 1998 model with only 117k on the clock.

**E36Bimmer** · 11-22-2005, 01:11 PM

yea, i was looking at the meyle control arms w/ the solid metal core ball joints and the urethane offset bushings.. let me know how it all is once you complete it.

**catalyst** · 11-22-2005, 01:53 PM

m3 offset bushings = a little more negative camber for high speed stability.

DEATH2000 · 11-22-2005, 02:53 PM

^^ so i take it thats a good thing?

**bitcore** · 11-23-2005, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catalyst

m3 offset bushings = a little more negative camber for high speed stability.

you mean caster.... it dosn't change camber.
it pushes the wheels forward, making the strut more angled. Think of a shopping cart wheel, notice how it always wants to trail backwards? thats negative caster. Turn the wheel 180 degrees and you have positive caster.
Don't ask how it's more stable, it just is. (it dosn't wobble like it would if it was trailing behind it's axis)

By pulling the back of the control arm outwards from the center of the car, it rotates the inner ball joint at the subframe, pushing the outter ball joint forward about half an inch.

(lol this is my 323 post, I wonder how many more posts I need to get an M3 postcount)

**catalyst** · 11-23-2005, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bitcore

you mean caster.... it dosn't change camber.
it pushes the wheels forward, making the strut more angled. Think of a shopping cart wheel, notice how it always wants to trail backwards? thats negative caster. Turn the wheel 180 degrees and you have positive caster.
Don't ask how it's more stable, it just is. (it dosn't wobble like it would if it was trailing behind it's axis)

By pulling the back of the control arm outwards from the center of the car, it rotates the inner ball joint at the subframe, pushing the outter ball joint forward about half an inch.

(lol this is my 323 post, I wonder how many more posts I need to get an M3 postcount)

Ahh thank you.. im always confused about caster.. that sort of expains it.

**B_w.** · 11-25-2005, 01:18 AM

when i did my bushings it really helped firm thing up a lot.
when you go to ics are they going top install any other goodies

**bitcore** · 11-27-2005, 12:18 PM

I can tell it's much stiffer. My alignment us ultra-screwed so I gota wait until I get one of those before I can definitively say so... but it's definately better.

**E36Bimmer** · 11-28-2005, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B_w.

when i did my bushings it really helped firm thing up a lot.
when you go to ics are they going top install any other goodies

I go tomorrow for the front susp. work and custom alignment... besides that I have nothing else planned. Over the phone he says I should do a S52 swap and he will convert it to OBD I (says he can get huge gains w/ custom mapped software)... After all is said and done tho (cost of engine, new clutch & light flywheel, labor) that tops out at like 8 grand. It would cost the same to do FI and about half for a regular S50 swap.. decisions decisions..

And I am goin with the M3 bushings (more stable at higher speeds so i'm told). Thanks your all the input

**E36Bimmer** · 11-29-2005, 08:01 PM

Tie rods, M3 control arms (w/ heavy duty ball joints) & M3 bushings, sway bar links, custom alignment, high speed wheel rebalancing all for about $1000. Small price to pay for gettin my bimmer back.. Next on the list is clutch. I have 143K on original.. I think its due... I highly recommend ICS for you guys in the NYC metro area.. kick ass shop. I get my car tomorrow, cant wait

**B_w.** · 11-30-2005, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Tie rods, M3 control arms (w/ heavy duty ball joints) & M3 bushings, sway bar links, custom alignment, high speed wheel rebalancing all for about $1000. Small price to pay for gettin my bimmer back.. Next on the list is clutch. I have 143K on original.. I think its due... I highly recommend ICS for you guys in the NYC metro area.. kick ass shop. I get my car tomorrow, cant wait

from what i hear ics is the best around. maybe when i am done school i will move to that area so i can be closer to ics and get a big turbo setup

**E36Bimmer** · 11-30-2005, 09:40 AM

they are the place.. They take cars that came from active autowerks and improve them further. Dropping my car off there was a bunch of M3's sittin in the lot all with turbo's..such a pretty sight to see..

**94bmw325i** · 11-30-2005, 11:47 AM

so your getting a turbo s50 motor also sometime?

**E36Bimmer** · 11-30-2005, 12:55 PM

That would be ideal... I am looking to get a S50 motor to start with first. Havent seen one yet at a price im willing to pay..