M3-like front suspension swap now available?

Doyle · 01-27-2011, 10:24 AM

I'm not sure if anyone has tried this, but it looks like Powerflex has just released a set of polyurethane bushings for the front tension arm and front wishbone of the 335xi.

Most 335i drivers that have done a front M3 swap say that the newfound steering sensitivity is the best mod they have done. I would imagine the harder M bushings are the key to that. You won't have the additional neg camber or the lighter aluminum, but until someone fabricates something, this is the best option.

http://store.powerflexusa.com/bmw-e9...ngs-p1170.aspx

bavauto.com carries everything, as well.

elratrero69 · 01-28-2011, 02:15 AM

power flex rocks,

I had them on my sold e46, when warranty runs out theyre going in my e90

Lenaxia · 02-17-2011, 10:45 AM

Has anyone had a chance to install these?

Patsfan123 · 03-18-2011, 04:50 PM

Anyone?

serotoninsteve · 04-15-2011, 01:21 AM

Hello,

sorry as this is my first post here,
I came across this thread while searching for stiffer lower control arms bushings for my 335ix.

I too found the Powerflex bushings for the E9x on the USA site a few weeks ago,
I then contacted the co.uk sales manager and seems that they are officially out only since a few days, the USA site was early he said.

As they themselves don't know if they fit the ix models,
he gave me the dimensions, ,
outer diameter (for pressing them in) is 70,3mm and the sleeve lenght is 75,9mm with a 12mm bore.

The OD of 70,3 seems the same as on the i models,
only the sleeve lenght needs to be checked on the ix.

If anybody could check this on their ix if they fit the 75,9 would help us out,
as I don't have the possibility for the moment.

Thanks in advance

Steve

Lenaxia · 04-15-2011, 01:32 AM

I will try to check this weekend.

serotoninsteve · 04-15-2011, 04:35 AM

Hi,

that would be great,
could you also measure the thickness of the control arm when you check it please?
I mean there where the bushing gets pressed in.
It could be that it's different than the i's, but hope not so.

Thanks

Steve

Doyle · 04-15-2011, 07:41 AM

This is great!

I know the e46 xi guys were pressing the e36 M3 bushings into their control arms. It might be possible to do something similar, here.

serotoninsteve · 05-06-2011, 10:26 AM

Seems that we have no chance to fit the Powerflex bushings to our xi's.
I've bought some new ones from BMW as mine are shot and did a quick measurement,
diameter is the same at about 70,2mm,
but sleeve lenght is shorter with 66mm against the i's 76mm.

Anyway I'll ask them at Powerflex if they perhaps plan on doing a small series for the xi.

Steve

itsbrokeagain · 05-07-2011, 10:53 PM

Has anyone checked to see if I/XI bushings were the same? You can purchase m3 tension rod bushings separately..

serotoninsteve · 05-08-2011, 04:55 AM

Hello Matt,

outer diameter is the same with 70,2mm but sleeve lenght is different:

66mm on the ix
vs.
76mm on the i.

I would say that the internal design is quite different too,
as the mounting direction of the control arm is different and the forces applied by the ix are different too.

As you can simply swap the complete M3 arms to the i's I'm pretty sure they have 76mm sleeve lenght too,
so no way to fit them to the ix's even if they could be pressed to the ix control arms.

Nvrenuf · 08-17-2011, 02:55 PM

Considering trying this for now:

http://e21.tricord.be/forum/view.php?view=25621

I have m3 subframe / rear sway bar going in next week so this project may or may not happen first.

01-27-2011, 10:24 AM	#1
Doyle Hellafunctional 37 Rep 426 Posts Drives: 335xi Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: N/A iTrader: (2)	M3-like front suspension swap now available? I'm not sure if anyone has tried this, but it looks like Powerflex has just released a set of polyurethane bushings for the front tension arm and front wishbone of the 335xi. Most 335i drivers that have done a front M3 swap say that the newfound steering sensitivity is the best mod they have done. I would imagine the harder M bushings are the key to that. You won't have the additional neg camber or the lighter aluminum, but until someone fabricates something, this is the best option. http://store.powerflexusa.com/bmw-e9...ngs-p1170.aspx bavauto.com carries everything, as well. Last edited by Doyle; 01-27-2011 at 10:26 AM.. Reason: vendor link
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01-28-2011, 02:15 AM	#2
elratrero69 Private 0 Rep 98 Posts Drives: 07 335xi AT sedan Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: SI, NY iTrader: (0)	power flex rocks, I had them on my sold e46, when warranty runs out theyre going in my e90 __________________ 07 Bmw 335xi 07 A4 3.2 quattro
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02-17-2011, 10:45 AM	#3
Lenaxia Lieutenant 41 Rep 566 Posts Drives: 2006 330xi 6MT Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Santa Clara, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330xi [0.00]	Has anyone had a chance to install these? __________________
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03-18-2011, 04:50 PM	#4
Patsfan123 First Lieutenant 14 Rep 328 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi Coupe Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Quincy, MA iTrader: (0)	Anyone? __________________ 2007 328xi Coupe \| TiAg \| Steptronic \| Premium \| Sport \| Nav \| Comfort \| Cold Weather \| BMW Sport Exhaust \| BMS PBX \| Euro Airbox w/ K&N \| Eibach/Bilstein \| RDash LED License Plate
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04-15-2011, 01:21 AM	#5
serotoninsteve Private First Class 7 Rep 131 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Luxemburg iTrader: (0)	Hello, sorry as this is my first post here, I came across this thread while searching for stiffer lower control arms bushings for my 335ix. I too found the Powerflex bushings for the E9x on the USA site a few weeks ago, I then contacted the co.uk sales manager and seems that they are officially out only since a few days, the USA site was early he said. As they themselves don't know if they fit the ix models, he gave me the dimensions, , outer diameter (for pressing them in) is 70,3mm and the sleeve lenght is 75,9mm with a 12mm bore. The OD of 70,3 seems the same as on the i models, only the sleeve lenght needs to be checked on the ix. If anybody could check this on their ix if they fit the 75,9 would help us out, as I don't have the possibility for the moment. Thanks in advance Steve
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04-15-2011, 01:32 AM	#6
Lenaxia Lieutenant 41 Rep 566 Posts Drives: 2006 330xi 6MT Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Santa Clara, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330xi [0.00]	I will try to check this weekend. __________________
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04-15-2011, 04:35 AM	#7
serotoninsteve Private First Class 7 Rep 131 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Luxemburg iTrader: (0)	Hi, that would be great, could you also measure the thickness of the control arm when you check it please? I mean there where the bushing gets pressed in. It could be that it's different than the i's, but hope not so. Thanks Steve
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04-15-2011, 07:41 AM	#8
Doyle Hellafunctional 37 Rep 426 Posts Drives: 335xi Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: N/A iTrader: (2)	This is great! I know the e46 xi guys were pressing the e36 M3 bushings into their control arms. It might be possible to do something similar, here.
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05-06-2011, 10:26 AM	#9
serotoninsteve Private First Class 7 Rep 131 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Luxemburg iTrader: (0)	Seems that we have no chance to fit the Powerflex bushings to our xi's. I've bought some new ones from BMW as mine are shot and did a quick measurement, diameter is the same at about 70,2mm, but sleeve lenght is shorter with 66mm against the i's 76mm. Anyway I'll ask them at Powerflex if they perhaps plan on doing a small series for the xi. Steve
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05-07-2011, 10:53 PM	#10
itsbrokeagain 310 Rep 15,745 Posts Drives: 1999 528iT, E53 X5, E46 325xi Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Strong Island iTrader: (7)	Has anyone checked to see if I/XI bushings were the same? You can purchase m3 tension rod bushings separately..
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05-08-2011, 04:55 AM	#11
serotoninsteve Private First Class 7 Rep 131 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Luxemburg iTrader: (0)	Hello Matt, outer diameter is the same with 70,2mm but sleeve lenght is different: 66mm on the ix vs. 76mm on the i. I would say that the internal design is quite different too, as the mounting direction of the control arm is different and the forces applied by the ix are different too. As you can simply swap the complete M3 arms to the i's I'm pretty sure they have 76mm sleeve lenght too, so no way to fit them to the ix's even if they could be pressed to the ix control arms.
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08-17-2011, 02:55 PM	#12
Nvrenuf Private First Class 16 Rep 190 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Arlington, VA iTrader: (7)	Considering trying this for now: http://e21.tricord.be/forum/view.php?view=25621 I have m3 subframe / rear sway bar going in next week so this project may or may not happen first.
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