Rubber Bushings

[skar19]

is there a rubber bushing kit where they sell all the necessary bushes for the E30? if so how much and where can get? if there isnt a kit then what are the names of the bushes?

 

[Jipster]

I'm not actually answering your question but you may want to consider the following main ones for immediate 'feel-able' improvements:

1. control arm bush - standard or the offset variety
2. rear trailing arm bush
3. rear subframe bush
4. differential bush
5. bushes for anti-roll/sway bars if you have them

Bear in mind further gains can be had by using PU bushes which are of course costlier

There are of course the following as well:

1. engine mounts
2. transmission mounts

 

[skar19]

thank you for your response, is there a full E30 M3 bushing kit available out there?

 

[Jipster]

Hmmm.....I shall attemp this:

AFAIK the E30M3 uses the same bushings a stock standard E30 uses except for well known differences e.g. the control arm bushes (offset instead of centred), maybe the front upper strut mount (some camber adjustment shit here) etc.

There will also be differences in certain items simply due to dimensions e.g. E30M3 anti roll bar bushes are to mu mind an odd size i.e. SMALL! Nothing like those monster Ireland Engineering anti roll thingies.....

So, other than these specific items there may not be any need to get all your bushes of the E30M3 species.

In any case, if I read your desire for E30M3 bushes as being a plea for PERFORMANCE items..... why look at the M3 bits when there are similar products already available for the bog standard E30 e.g. PU bushes of all shapes and variety...... they can be sourced locally or even over the internet..... from the usual suspecst like control arm bushes to even performance alternator, diff, transmission bushings......

Unless, you have an E30M3 you are not telling us about .........

 

[3er]

question:
why M3 bushes? Perhaps more tough but in the end they are still made of rubber which will deteriorate over time. Not forgetting that the M3 bushes will cost what? twice more than the regular ori bush? A PU bush will probably last as long as the car itself at the fraction of the M3 bush cost.

 

[skar19]

Originally posted by Jipster@Apr 30 2005, 09:14 AM
Hmmm.....I shall attemp this:

AFAIK the E30M3 uses the same bushings a stock standard E30 uses except for well known differences e.g. the control arm bushes (offset instead of centred), maybe the front upper strut mount (some camber adjustment shit here) etc.

There will also be differences in certain items simply due to dimensions e.g. E30M3 anti roll bar bushes are to mu mind an odd size i.e. SMALL! Nothing like those monster Ireland Engineering anti roll thingies.....

So, other than these specific items there may not be any need to get all your bushes of the E30M3 species.

In any case, if I read your desire for E30M3 bushes as being a plea for PERFORMANCE items..... why look at the M3 bits when there are similar products already available for the bog standard E30 e.g. PU bushes of all shapes and variety...... they can be sourced locally or even over the internet..... from the usual suspecst like control arm bushes to even performance alternator, diff, transmission bushings......

Unless, you have an E30M3 you are not telling us about .........

ahahah no sorry to disappoint you, i dont have a M3, from your reply is there any other brand which you can reccomend and also where to get? where to get PU bushes? and how much?

thank you

 

[Jipster]

skar,

For PU cost effective option is Super Pro - Aussie items. My rear trailing arm and anti-roll bar bushes are Super Pros and I got them from Hokomoto Racing Batu Caves. Contact info - check out Motor Trader (they usually advertise) or surf to www.spareparts.com.my....look for them there....

If you go for the offset control arm bushes you may get tire rubbing problems (FYI i run 195/60/15's) at parking speeds.... but not a big problem since the inside front arches are covered with plastic cladding (or least mine is).... count on several hundred for the list of items i mentioned above....

BTW.... your ride's looking good......esp. those Borbet C's..... what size tires you running dude?

 

[davistan]

Jipster, mind to post some prices of the PU bushings? Probably can do a price comparison.

But how's the PU performance in terms of comfort and handling?

 

[fabianyee]

I'm using my customised lower control arm bushes... with M3 Offset...

 

[2cents]

Originally posted by fabianyee@May 3 2005, 09:25 AM
I'm using my customised lower control arm bushes... with M3 Offset...

Fab, iz dem customized control arm bushes much lighter in weight than stock stds? R these bushes also PU & how much do dey cost a pair? :yes:

 

[Jipster]

My experience with bushings:

E30M3 offset lower arm bush (non PU)(pair)(apparently BMW original)
Rear subframe bush (non PU)(pair)(apparently BMW original)
Both of these cost me RM570 together. 'Dont know how much they are by themselves....was quoted sort of like a 'package' price. Bought from Calvin Tan's place (search Forum Member and get website info)

PU Rear trailing arm bush (pair)(Super Pro)(from Hokomoto) cost me RM200. This one I got help from a certain sifu (you know who you are....many thanks!)..... original price quoted was much higher...

Diff bush....came with my 4.10 open diff ....apparently still ok so did not change when swap with my 3.45 diff....price of diff+bush....an unbelieveable RM100.... my thanks to sifu Loneranger who is now moving on the mighty Mini Cooper S (my thanks)

PU anti roll bush (front anti roll - 1 pair - 19mm approx dia.)(rear anti roll - 1 pair - 14.5mm approx. dia.) RM80 for rear and RM100 for front from Hokomoto...

Transmission & engine mount bushes.....no info....for these you gotta be doing some major engine work to get to them/change them ....access issue y'know.... but I read in a mag recently that the transmission moutn could be changed without the gearbox being completely removed....perhaps something to explore?..... but I think something for the more obsessive to do.....

[please note my prices are usually on the lousy side coz i dunno how to bargain nor do i have the networking to get cheap stuff but it should give you guys some idea.....]

The RESULT? In order of impact (biggest impact on top)

1. PU anti-roll bushes - firmer, more feedback (caution: works best if you have done everything else e.g. sorted out suspension, strut braces etc.);

2. rear sub-frame bush non PU - helps absorb a lot of the vibrations, noises etc., car appears quieter (but not significantly so....old car lah what do you expect?!)

3. offset (E30M3) front control arm bush & rear trailing arm bush - trun in better, more responsive steering....I dunno which one did what since both went in together

4. newer (not new) diff bush .... dunno.....couldnt tell coz me novice mah ....but piece of mind no need to do anything for sometime .....

COMFORT? I dunno dude.....I kinda equate a firm/tight suspension as being comfortable....to me its better than a loose/soft suspension..... so after all that, my conclusion is STILL COMFORTABLE..... but be advised that you magic carpet ride followers please apply elsewhere You do feel the road more....its what these things do..... especially when you mate it with uprated suspension etc.

Fabian's lolipops?!...... 'super trick' from an E30 point of view..... check this link for info http://www.treehouseracing.com/home/content/view/13/40/
Fab's should be cheaper than odering from US.....I understand it is precision machined etc. with PU or similar inserts..... I believe this is the furthest you can go in terms of offset control arm bush design.....

2Cents..... the lolipop's or 'eyeball arms' do not reduce weight ....if they do it would be minimal coz dimensions wise they are close.... PRICE? You gotta ask the man lah.....

 

[skar19]

Originally posted by Jipster@May 3 2005, 08:12 AM
skar,

For PU cost effective option is Super Pro - Aussie items. My rear trailing arm and anti-roll bar bushes are Super Pros and I got them from Hokomoto Racing Batu Caves. Contact info - check out Motor Trader (they usually advertise) or surf to www.spareparts.com.my....look for them there....

If you go for the offset control arm bushes you may get tire rubbing problems (FYI i run 195/60/15's) at parking speeds.... but not a big problem since the inside front arches are covered with plastic cladding (or least mine is).... count on several hundred for the list of items i mentioned above....

BTW.... your ride's looking good......esp. those Borbet C's..... what size tires you running dude?

sorry for the late reply jipster and thank you for your comments, i just got the rims re-sprayed as it looked really faded! i am using 205/50/15 yokohama A539 which is the wrong tyre size, it was like that when i bought the car last year. planning to change it to 205/55/15 sometime soon.

btw i would like to see your ride one day man, i will be quite free after mid june. we meet up la one day you live nearby only. :lol:

 

[2cents]

Originally posted by Jipster@May 3 2005, 02:21 PM
My experience with bushings:

E30M3 offset lower arm bush (non PU)(pair)(apparently BMW original)
Rear subframe bush (non PU)(pair)(apparently BMW original)
Both of these cost me RM570 together. 'Dont know how much they are by themselves....was quoted sort of like a 'package' price. Bought from Calvin Tan's place (search Forum Member and get website info)

PU Rear trailing arm bush (pair)(Super Pro)(from Hokomoto) cost me RM200. This one I got help from a certain sifu (you know who you are....many thanks!)..... original price quoted was much higher...

Diff bush....came with my 4.10 open diff ....apparently still ok so did not change when swap with my 3.45 diff....price of diff+bush....an unbelieveable RM100.... my thanks to sifu Loneranger who is now moving on the mighty Mini Cooper S (my thanks)

PU anti roll bush (front anti roll - 1 pair - 19mm approx dia.)(rear anti roll - 1 pair - 14.5mm approx. dia.) RM80 for rear and RM100 for front from Hokomoto...

Transmission & engine mount bushes.....no info....for these you gotta be doing some major engine work to get to them/change them ....access issue y'know.... but I read in a mag recently that the transmission moutn could be changed without the gearbox being completely removed....perhaps something to explore?..... but I think something for the more obsessive to do.....

[please note my prices are usually on the lousy side coz i dunno how to bargain nor do i have the networking to get cheap stuff but it should give you guys some idea.....]

The RESULT? In order of impact (biggest impact on top)

1. PU anti-roll bushes - firmer, more feedback (caution: works best if you have done everything else e.g. sorted out suspension, strut braces etc.);

2. rear sub-frame bush non PU - helps absorb a lot of the vibrations, noises etc., car appears quieter (but not significantly so....old car lah what do you expect?!)

3. offset (E30M3) front control arm bush & rear trailing arm bush - trun in better, more responsive steering....I dunno which one did what since both went in together

4. newer (not new) diff bush .... dunno.....couldnt tell coz me novice mah ....but piece of mind no need to do anything for sometime .....

COMFORT? I dunno dude.....I kinda equate a firm/tight suspension as being comfortable....to me its better than a loose/soft suspension..... so after all that, my conclusion is STILL COMFORTABLE..... but be advised that you magic carpet ride followers please apply elsewhere You do feel the road more....its what these things do..... especially when you mate it with uprated suspension etc.

Fabian's lolipops?!...... 'super trick' from an E30 point of view..... check this link for info http://www.treehouseracing.com/home/content/view/13/40/
Fab's should be cheaper than odering from US.....I understand it is precision machined etc. with PU or similar inserts..... I believe this is the furthest you can go in terms of offset control arm bush design.....

2Cents..... the lolipop's or 'eyeball arms' do not reduce weight ....if they do it would be minimal coz dimensions wise they are close.... PRICE? You gotta ask the man lah.....

"...the lolipop's or 'eyeball arms' do not reduce weight ....if they do it would be minimal coz dimensions wise they are close..."

Thank u tuan, it's not just the size/dimension of these bushes, it's also the material that the arms r made of, which I enquire.
As I understand it, Fab's bushes r housed in alum. wheras the stock stds in steel & the sum total of all these differences may become considerations for some ppl ... :wink:

 

[Jipster]

Skar dude,

205/55/15s?! You realise of course these dont grow on trees.....you have to special order them..... if you are lucky, there will be a few pieces around and they will be :

1. old a.k.a not good

2. expensive a.k.a not good

The last time i was looking i was quoted RM800 per piece Michelin MXV8s......which wasnt very appetising from a financial and perfomance point of view.....

195/60/15s are what a number of us here are running .... fairly easy to find and no problems over speed bumps either :yes:

FYI 205/55/15s and 195/65/14s are pretty much E30 specific fitments. Given the relative rarity of this model and the fact that many continue to die and find their way to the great big chop shop in the sky everyday it is unlikely that any tire shop will stock them in any significant number. If you are still keen check out Elwine30s ride ....he managed to find a set and is queit happy with them

 

[shaifulo]

Originally posted by 2cents+May 2 2005, 10:19 PM-->QUOTE (2cents @ May 2 2005, 10:19 PM)

 

[Jules]

buy-lah......maxis pay well what!!! ke ke ke!

 

[Jipster]

Originally posted by shaifulo+Jun 5 2005, 10:02 PM-->QUOTE (shaifulo @ Jun 5 2005, 10:02 PM)

Originally posted by 2cents@May 2 2005, 10:19 PM

 

[skar19]

i have searched for that size but a bit hard to find, not sure what i am going to change to when the threads go. Jipster thanks for your help man.

 

[elwine30]

yes, i m using 205/55/15 and it cost me RM 380 per piece not RM 800.

But now they are more choices at cheaper price for 205/55/15
1) Bridgestone G3 - RM 280
2) ST115 - RM 300

and I last heard, Pirelli Dragon is coming out with this size too.

 

[fabianyee]

Originally posted by 2cents@Jun 5 2005, 12:48 PM
As I understand it, Fab's bushes r housed in alum. wheras the stock stds in steel & the sum total of all these differences may become considerations for some ppl ... :wink:

not aluminum lah.. it's steel.... it's not about weight reduction, it's sharper turn in... can check with pussy for feedback....