New tyres + M3 sway bar coming

[harpoon]

Hi all,

I've just ordered a set of the Dunlop Direzza Star spec tyres from tirerack.

225 fronts, 255 rears. They have had great reviews so I'm pretty excited about getting these on. They should be here in a week or so.

After reading about all the guys replacing their sway bars and bushings with M3 verions on the main forum I ordered them from Dan @United. Only $US250 for the lot shipped. I priced the sway bar alone in Sydney and it was $650!

So I'll get the tyres and bar done in the next couple of weeks and let you know how it goes. Sounds like others have had good results form such a relatively cheap mod.

Cheers.

[BMW86]

Nice one mate. Be sure to post some pics and a review. I got a set of Yokohomas S Drives from Tirerack delivered yesterday and they are being fitted to my E46 as we speak. Tirerack are really good, that's my 3rd set I've purchased from them in a few months. The savings you got on your M3 parts are huge! Nicely done.

[Franco]

What is the difference and advantage of the M3 sway bars?

[ozzy]

Originally Posted by BMW86

Nice one mate. Be sure to post some pics and a review. I got a set of Yokohomas S Drives from Tirerack delivered yesterday and they are being fitted to my E46 as we speak. Tirerack are really good, that's my 3rd set I've purchased from them in a few months. The savings you got on your M3 parts are huge! Nicely done.

Hi
let me know what you think of the s drives was thinking of a set myself

[harpoon]

Originally Posted by Franco

What is the difference and advantage of the M3 sway bars?

It's a bit thicker but also doesn't have a kink in the middle so its a lot stiffer. If you look at the suspension sub forum on the main forum there are a few recent threads about it and all say it reduces bodyroll substantially. I am getting the e93 one - so its the convertible M3 bar - which is slightly thicker than the coupe version.

[BMW86]

Originally Posted by ozzy

Hi
let me know what you think of the s drives was thinking of a set myself

The S drives are great. The tread pattern looks awesome and it rides very well. I will most likely go with these on my 135i after I burn through my 2 sets of Bridgestone Potenza RE-11's. I recommend the S drives but I really need to put more km on them to give you a better opinion.

[AussieRacer]

I'm thinking of doing the M3 sway and M3 front and rear links kits.... Want to keep the stock ride, but increase the feel and response a little. I already have the RE-11s (similiar to star specs) on the rear, and after 5000km on them, they are wearing better than the OEM RFTs....and of course the grip is out of this world. At my recent service I got the "yeah we drove your car a fair bit to get a feel"

[m 135]

Originally Posted by harpoon

Hi all,

I've just ordered a set of the Dunlop Direzza Star spec tyres from tirerack.

225 fronts, 255 rears. They have had great reviews so I'm pretty excited about getting these on. They should be here in a week or so.

After reading about all the guys replacing their sway bars and bushings with M3 verions on the main forum I ordered them from Dan @United. Only $US250 for the lot shipped. I priced the sway bar alone in Sydney and it was $650!

So I'll get the tyres and bar done in the next couple of weeks and let you know how it goes. Sounds like others have had good results form such a relatively cheap mod.

Cheers.

Mine came yesterday,i got the e93 sway as well from Dan,like you say the feedback seems good,i was going to put this on my self but am getting some lower springs and may get the same place to put this on as well,i have the carbon rear diffuser coming from vivid racing,but the only mod i have got completed is the gloss-black kidney grills,looking at tyres too.

[MikeVictor]

I've fitted a set of H&R sways, front and rear that I bought from Andrew@SouthernBM and have to say it was money well spent. Good luck with the M3 bars, but the H&R kit is worth a look in if this is a mod anyone's thinking of.

I found it dialed out that annoying bit of initial understeer and made turning in feel more precise and neutral. Didn't suffer any harsh changes in ride quality IMO either.

[135BANDIT]

Originally Posted by harpoon

Hi all,

I've just ordered a set of the Dunlop Direzza Star spec tyres from tirerack.

225 fronts, 255 rears. They have had great reviews so I'm pretty excited about getting these on. They should be here in a week or so.

After reading about all the guys replacing their sway bars and bushings with M3 verions on the main forum I ordered them from Dan @United. Only $US250 for the lot shipped. I priced the sway bar alone in Sydney and it was $650!

So I'll get the tyres and bar done in the next couple of weeks and let you know how it goes. Sounds like others have had good results form such a relatively cheap mod.

Cheers.

I assume the $250 was just for the bar and bushes ????????

what price did you get for the tyres and what was their shipping costs.

Sounds like a very economical upgrade.

JD

[harpoon]

Yep $250 was bar and bushes. Yeh I think can't go wrong for that cash. I went to a track day last week and the body roll was really annoying me so hopefully this is a partial fix without doing coilovers etc.


The tyres were very cheap. I priced them in Australia and it was going to be arounnd $1800. Depending on what customs duty etc I get charged (seems like a random number generator), I think at most will be AUD1400-1500 butmaybe as little as $1250. Shipping is US$300 but that is for 8 tyres (a mate has jumped on the bandwagon for his cayman s).

sizes for me were 225/40/18 f and 255/35/18 r.

And another tip for buying overseas is to use OZforex to do your transactions. You will get set at a better rate than if you use your bank. May only save $50 but I can't stand to give the banks 3-4 cents on transactions.

[andrew@southernBM]

what was the freight on the sway bar then?

[harpoon]

$65

[m 135]

Harpoon,have you got your tyres yet? these came today

[harpoon]

Cool did you get them fromt tire rack? Mine are at Alexandria UPS outlet getting cleared so hopefully arrive in the next day or so. What sizes did you get?

[m 135]

Hi mate,got them from Stuckeys,i think taka mentioned them,good service and quick delivery,i got 2x225/40-18 and 2x255/35-18(hope they fit)was going to go tire rack but was not too sure about the other fees when landed,you will have to tell me your total price,if its good i will go that way next time.
I paid $1580 for the tyres and $128 for delivery,total $1708,so not too bad.

Waiting for my eibach springs then i will get the springs/sway and tyres put on at the same time,hope you get yours soon,look like a great tyre.

[harpoon]

Yeh I'm a little bit nervous about the unknown fees. Seems like a lucky draw. So same sizes as me - by all reports should fit fine with no rubbing etc. Looks like a great tyre! I noticed my oem tyres are chunking horribly at the front after my last track day so need them ASAP.

[MikeVictor]

They look meaty, m135! nice hoops.

Those sizes should fit just fine, my Pirelli PZero Rosso's are the same.

[05C4R]

i ordered ADO8's from tirerack, $1356AUD delivered. No mention of hidden charges. i am expecting them just to arrive. we have a free trade agreement don't we?

[harpoon]

haha. You'd think so beemer. I just got a call from Fedex and the fees and charges were approx $350 (and thats for 8 tyres)which was less than I thought. Still a bit cheaper than buying in Australia. I'll do a proper costing once they're here. Tyres should be here tomorrow.

[05C4R]

if there is no equivalent product manufactured in Australia then there should be no duty, if i get charged duty i will challenge it for sure as i don't think there are any tyres made in Australia what so ever.

[harpoon]

Tyres arrived today! Got home and in the garage were 8 brand new tyres. Looked like an F1 garage!

Duty etc was cheaper than I thought at $A325

So cost was as follows:
2 * 225/40/18 @ US$175 each
2* 255/35/18@ US$242 each

shipping was $US162.50
duty was $A162.50

Bottom line: got my tyres for $A1260 to my door.

I think it is worthwhile to share the shipping etc with a mate. Think it saved us some cash. I've booked in to get them done on Tuesday.

cheers.