E93 FSB vs Aftermarket?

[jmz135]

Hi All,
I hear from a lot of people that upgrading the stock front sway bar on our cars is a big improvement for reducing body roll/sloppiness.

I know a lot of people like using the E93 M3 28.5mm sway bar as an upgrade. Is this considered even better than an aftermarket option like, H&R or others?

Where do people get their e93 fsbs? The cheapest I saw online was ~$350. You can get the H&R one for around $260. Is it worth the extra money for the E93, or is there somewhere you can find it cheaper?

[John_01]

IMO, the genuine BMW front sway bars have some benefits.
1) They are hollow, so they are lighter.
2) Hollow bar is less firm than a solid bar of the same size. Firmer is not necessarily better.
3) The rubber bushings on the M3 item will last longer and not need to be greased.

If you search you will probably find a lot of back and forward discussion over which is better and if it makes a difference or not. My comment is that small differences in sway bar specs can make a noticeable difference to handling, so its worth to do some research. If you are going to fit coilovers, you may find the OE sway bars are fine for your needs.

[Bimmer-Bob]

The H&R sway bars utilize Teflon-lined bushings that supposedly never need to be greased, FYI.

[trainerjon]

I just installed this one from ECS Tuning - https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E82-13...Bar/ES2769930/
It has made a big difference in body roll and for the price... I think it was very worth it. Easy to install, no brainer.

[jmz135]

Thanks guys. I do have coilovers (kw v1s) on the car. For the M3 one we can't re-use the bushings from our stock one right? Having to buy the bushings & brackets makes it end up a lot more expensive than the aftermarket ones.

For $209, the ECS tuning one does look great. It even comes with the bushings for that price, very tempting.

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by jmz135

Thanks guys. I do have coilovers (kw v1s) on the car. For the M3 one we can't re-use the bushings from our stock one right? Having to buy the bushings & brackets makes it end up a lot more expensive than the aftermarket ones.

For $209, the ECS tuning one does look great. It even comes with the bushings for that price, very tempting.

e9x m3 bars need not just m3 bushings, but also the bushing brackets for M bushings

[chris82]

The only reason to go with the M3 bar would be if it's cheaper and it's not.

[jmz135]

Originally Posted by chris82

The only reason to go with the M3 bar would be if it's cheaper and it's not.

Yea that's what I've been hearing, but it seems like more people on this forum do the m3 bar than aftermarket and I can't really figure out why.

Seems like it's between the ecs and hr one for me.

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by chris82

The only reason to go with the M3 bar would be if it's cheaper and it's not.

So because it's stiffer than stock but lighter than solid thus reducing the moment of inertia doesn't count?

[jmz135]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

So because it's stiffer than stock but lighter than solid thus reducing the moment of inertia doesn't count?

Not that I don't believe it, but I can't find the weights of the m3 or aftermarket bars posted anywhere, do you have a source?

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by jmz135

Not that I don't believe it, but I can't find the weights of the m3 or aftermarket bars posted anywhere, do you have a source?

They're hollow. Realoem list the E93 M3 fsb as 3.350 kg.

[chris82]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

So because it's stiffer than stock but lighter than solid thus reducing the moment of inertia doesn't count?

Is that going to be a benefit for anyone but the professional race car driver?

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by chris82

Is that going to be a benefit for anyone but the professional race car driver?

Hell, no!

[chris82]

Originally Posted by jmz135

Yea that's what I've been hearing, but it seems like more people on this forum do the m3 bar than aftermarket and I can't really figure out why.

Seems like it's between the ecs and hr one for me.

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by chris82

Is that going to be a benefit for anyone but the professional race car driver?

In fairness, though, the E93 M3 fsb kit I bought was only $336.09 shipped. Seems fairly competitive.

[lowbudgethero]

just find one on ebay

[jmz135]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

In fairness, though, the E93 M3 fsb kit I bought was only $336.09 shipped. Seems fairly competitive.

Definitely - it's still a great ratio of cost vs improved suspension/etc. I'm sure it's as good or better as the aftermarket ones, I was just trying to figure out if there was any reason to pay the $300+ for the M3 one when an aftermarket one is $210, including bushings.

Thanks for your feedback.

[jmz135]

Originally Posted by lowbudgethero

just find one on ebay

Care to elaborate? Find an e93 m3 one? A specific aftermarket one?

[Bimmer-Bob]

Originally Posted by jmz135

Yea that's what I've been hearing, but it seems like more people on this forum do the m3 bar than aftermarket and I can't really figure out why.

Seems like it's between the ecs and hr one for me.

People like the M3 bar because it's OEM, so it's a direct, no-fuss fitment. Also, the bushings don't require any special lubrication periodically, and the dealer won't notice that it's not a stock bar. And don't forget or underestimate the powerful appeal of "the ///M" to people around here.

Again, though, the H&R bar supposedly doesn't require any greasing, and so far the set I have is silent (granted, it's only been a week or so, and for all I know the shop that did the install did lube the bushings).

I used to run the front M3 bar but when I decided to go with an aggressive rear bar I decided to go with H&R because they are a matched set and I know a company like that does appropriate R&D, and because they were on sale for Black Friday (and I admit I liked the nice matte blue color ).

That said, if I were shopping just for a front bar, I might go with the M3 bar again. I would certainly do so before the no-name ECS bar - not because it's definitely garbage, but just because it is kind of an unknown quantity. Why go with a generic part when the OEM versions, as well as options from reputable aftermarket suppliers, are not very much money?

[tkong]

I purchased the Hotchkis front sway bar with adjustable end links on Amazon for 260. Good stuff.

[jmz135]

Originally Posted by tkong

I purchased the Hotchkis front sway bar with adjustable end links on Amazon for 260. Good stuff.

Wow that's way cheaper than I've seen it anywhere - got a link by any chance?

[tkong]

Originally Posted by jmz135

Wow that's way cheaper than I've seen it anywhere - got a link by any chance?

price went up to $314 now so not as good of a deal as before. http://www.amazon.com/Hotchkis-22834.../dp/B003US4SB6