Sway bar with stock suspension, Question

[new2the3]

Are there any downsides of doing the M3 front sway bar as your only suspension mod?

[BrokenVert]

That's what I'm doing and I have a friend that's done it. No issues at all

[Mak135i]

I have had this mod for 6 months with no issues at all. It's worth it. (tricky installation on the convertible)

[MarkR171]

I have the hotchkis swaybar as my only suspension mod, works beautifully. The downside is that it could be better with a full suspension overhaul, but for under 300$, the swaybar gives great bang for the buck in terms of transforming the handling.

[new2the3]

Thank you for the responses, I just wanted to make sure because I have zero intention of changing out springs/shocks but I am looking for improved handling/less roll.

[cpt97m3]

Originally Posted by MarkR171

I have the hotchkis swaybar as my only suspension mod, works beautifully. The downside is that it could be better with a full suspension overhaul, but for under 300$, the swaybar gives great bang for the buck in terms of transforming the handling.

I did the same, and I agree.

[spk74]

IMO, if you're looking to reduce roll, then you're probably approaching a style of driving that might be more safely practiced on a track. In which case you'll probably want to do the whole suspension. Or perhaps sway bars are the new strut bars?

[and 1]

i did the install myself as well. not that hard and definitely worth it! you might look into the front links too (control arms & tension rods) for a little extra camber and firmer bushings

[new2the3]

Originally Posted by spk74

IMO, if you're looking to reduce roll, then you're probably approaching a style of driving that might be more safely practiced on a track. In which case you'll probably want to do the whole suspension. Or perhaps sway bars are the new strut bars?

My old E90 330i ZSP, had much less roll then my 135i. It doesn't take much to notice the roll of the 135i imo.

[mke135i]

Originally Posted by Mak135i

I have had this mod for 6 months with no issues at all. It's worth it. (tricky installation on the convertible)

Any tips for us 'vert owners? I'm also putting one in this spring.

[Mak135i]

I have the performance springs which are made for the coupe, but the drop is perfect for the vert (about 1 inch front and rear) with no negative impacts that I have been able to tell. My next suspension mod. will probably be Bilstein HD shocks because they are made specifically for the E88 chassis.

[litebulb]

Originally Posted by Mak135i

I have had this mod for 6 months with no issues at all. It's worth it. (tricky installation on the convertible)

Could you explain a bit more, I was thinking of adding one to my E88. Thanks!

[Mak135i]

The Hotchkiss sway bar fits perfectly on the E88 but it is a longer installation that on the coupe because of the extra bracing across the bottom of the E88. Once installed (with the bushings that come with it), the 1st noticeable difference is in steering feel and weight (more of both). Obviously there is less body roll which is most noticeable in dd on the freeway ramps and wide turns.

I have other suspension mods (springs) and more planned, but the front sway bar is probably the most bang for the money

[Bimmer-Bob]

Originally Posted by Mak135i

I have other suspension mods (springs) and more planned, but the front sway bar is probably the most bang for the money

I agree that, for the cost and ease of installation, a stiffer front sway bar is a no-brainer. You feel significantly less roll, no question.

The problem is, it doesn't address the stock suspension's real flaws, sort of like switching out of RFT's - it feels better in a lot of ways, but it also sort of highlights the remaining problems. I did the M3 bar first with the idea that I would move on to springs and dampers 6 or 9 months down the road - instead I went to coilovers within a couple of months (thankfully I found a good set on clearance) because I felt like I had to finish what I started. The bar alone just wasn't enough.

If you've done the ARB and springs but are still on stock dampers, you're really missing out. I just can't imagine going through all the trouble and expense of changing springs and not doing the dampers at the same time - particularly with this chassis, where the dampers are the weakest link (IMO).

EDIT: Just saw your post about the Bilstein HD's. Good call - but still, it would have been so much easier to do them with the springs!

[Mak135i]

My car's springs was done by the 1st owner. I bought it CPO, that's how I knew they were BMW springs. I definitely agree the dampers need to be changed too. I think they are the weakest link in the suspension (after the RFT of course)