Swaybars: Decisions, decisions

[Fireflyer239]

Could the noise be from lack of bushing lube? The bar could make a noise if it moves or rotates slightly in the bushings, if the lube is not there. Try pumping some grease into the fittings on the bushings.

[adrean8j]

Originally Posted by Fireflyer239

Could the noise be from lack of bushing lube? The bar could make a noise if it moves or rotates slightly in the bushings, if the lube is not there. Try pumping some grease into the fittings on the bushings.

Yeah that is what his problem was. He fixed it and everything is A-OK now.

[Fireflyer239]

Originally Posted by adrean8j

Yeah that is what his problem was. He fixed it and everything is A-OK now.

Sweet. Be sure to report back after putting a few miles on!

[vitig]

Then according to your experience I will ask the E93 bar.

[Fireflyer239]

500 miles since install, no noises or anything negative to report. Have pushed the car vigorously through some great twisty bits, and I'm still blown away that one single-easy-cheap change can so thoroughly transform the handling personality of this vehicle. There's a mountain road I love nearby that's a long series of left-rights, and the car just dances back and forth with joy going up or down, easily balanced with the throttle. Again, nuetral is the word, which is why I feel the Hotchkis bar is perfect for this application. Cost was $243 with a coupon code I found. Just do it!

Okay, time for another mod. Hmmm...SSK? Meisterschaft Touring HP axle-back? CF grilles and spoiler? Hmmm.

[rodi]

Originally Posted by Fireflyer239

Sweet. Be sure to report back after putting a few miles on!

i'm loving it. so worth it!

haven't been able to get up to the mountain runs just yet, but soon. perhaps this sunday after the Petit Le Mans.

i'd say it's reduced the body roll by half - the remainder of which will need the improvements of a coilover system (still deciding between Cross, TCKR, PSS10).
the Hotchkis bar in combination with non-RFTs is as transformative as my Dinan tune (i think the coilovers will yield the same margin as well).

really happy with the bar and the tires. on a dry day, i'm comfortably doing 50-60 around an on-ramp that i used to do 40-45 on. and on another on-ramp, from a former less-confident 65mph to very comfortable and confident 75mph and able to punch the throttle boost much sooner on the exit safely. really fun stuff. (disclaimer: on a closed-course).

[adrean8j]

^^^ Closed indeed! LOL...

[SlickShift]

Well, I ordered a UUC front sway bar on Monday and I don't think they've even shipped it yet. ERrrr!

[NoZSP]

Would it make any sense to upgrade to the Hotchkiss or other aftermarket front sway on a non-sport-package 128i, assuming everything else remains stock for the foreseeable future? Would it be a waste of money, or even cause problems?

Also, what about installing a rear sway bar on such a car?

[cpt97m3]

Originally Posted by NoZSP

Would it make any sense to upgrade to the Hotchkiss or other aftermarket front sway on a non-sport-package 128i, assuming everything else remains stock for the foreseeable future? Would it be a waste of money, or even cause problems?

Also, what about installing a rear sway bar on such a car?

That should work fine. You can install a rear bar also, but if you are just interested in reducing body roll, the front alone will do the trick.

[Fireflyer239]

Originally Posted by rodi

i'm loving it. so worth it!

haven't been able to get up to the mountain runs just yet, but soon. perhaps this sunday after the Petit Le Mans.

i'd say it's reduced the body roll by half - the remainder of which will need the improvements of a coilover system (still deciding between Cross, TCKR, PSS10).
the Hotchkis bar in combination with non-RFTs is as transformative as my Dinan tune (i think the coilovers will yield the same margin as well).

really happy with the bar and the tires. on a dry day, i'm comfortably doing 50-60 around an on-ramp that i used to do 40-45 on. and on another on-ramp, from a former less-confident 65mph to very comfortable and confident 75mph and able to punch the throttle boost much sooner on the exit safely. really fun stuff. (disclaimer: on a closed-course).

I was thinking maybe a bit more than half but even if - I bet the half we got rid of was the range within which nearly all of that nasty understeer occured! The further the car leans, the more it understeers, and the more momentum it has to upset the chassis when returning to an even keel...leading to the bouncy, loose feeling that diminishes confidence and control. As I understand, less-than-desireable camber issues come into play (with our cars) at drastic stock lean angles, and the understeer becomes exponentially worse the harder you push once understeer has begun, until that outside front shoulder is begging for mercy. So yeah, body roll is reduced by half maybe, but understeer feels 75% gone and control is greatly improved. It's like a whole new car to me, and my enjoyment behind the wheel is amp'd! Though coilovers or springs are tempting, I must realize I'm often on bumpy, rutted country roads (which the car eats up now!)

[rodi]

yeah - i can definitely feel a huge difference in understeer. did some mountain running today. it was like a different car. the only time the stability control lit up was when i really tried to slip it - in 2nd gear gunning it at 3500rpm (but you're asking for it at that point when you have a tune), before exiting a u-curve. i was quite surprised. never once felt any excessive roll or understeer.

[Fireflyer239]

Wow that's GREAT! Glad you're enjoying the mod. Can't beat the bang for the buck with the swaybar, lol. Between the swaybar and the Breyton wheels, and the tires I have, I'm really thrilled with the way the car eats backroads, and I'm greatly enjoying the much better feel of the whole package. You know you love your car when you invent places to go just to drive!

[SlickShift]

Swaybar is going on Friday...can't wait!!!

[sbefar01]

Getting mine asap, leaning towards the M3 28mm bar unless someone can convince me otherwise . . . .

[adrean8j]

^^^Pretty much any of the big 3 (in swaybars for the 1er at least) should do you good. The Hotchkis I have is absolutely wonderful.

***For regular driving just the front sway is great...for track or AutoX then a coilover setup with adjustments for rebound and damping (w/stiffer springs) is a must to help eliminate it (understeer) even more. I did an AutoX with just the sway and KW1's and I was still understeering like crazy....that outside front tire was getting POUNDED....LOL

[BMW86]

Originally Posted by sbefar01

Getting mine asap, leaning towards the M3 28mm bar unless someone can convince me otherwise . . . .

+ 1

Sounds like the M3 28mm bar is a winner amongst the forums here. Is it a front or rear and where can I find more information on this part?

[arrutled]

Originally Posted by Fireflyer239

Wow that's GREAT! Glad you're enjoying the mod. Can't beat the bang for the buck with the swaybar, lol. Between the swaybar and the Breyton wheels, and the tires I have, I'm really thrilled with the way the car eats backroads, and I'm greatly enjoying the much better feel of the whole package. You know you love your car when you invent places to go just to drive!

Buy the M3 wishbones and tension rods if you want to be amazed all over again

[adrean8j]

Originally Posted by arrutled

Buy the M3 wishbones and tension rods if you want to be amazed all over again

Do you have to have the M3 swaybar in conjunction with the wishbones and tension rods? Or will those work with my Hotchkis?

[sbefar01]

Originally Posted by adrean8j

^^^Pretty much any of the big 3 (in swaybars for the 1er at least) should do you good. The Hotchkis I have is absolutely wonderful.

***For regular driving just the front sway is great...for track or AutoX then a coilover setup with adjustments for rebound and damping (w/stiffer springs) is a must to help eliminate it (understeer) even more. I did an AutoX with just the sway and KW1's and I was still understeering like crazy....that outside front tire was getting POUNDED....LOL

I read that if you go much lower with KW's your not supposed to throw a much larger sway bar on the front or you will understeer more but if you have a stock suspension a larger sway is more acceptable bc you are cleaning up excessive body roll. The KW's already clean up the body roll so i read that only a modest front sway bar is needed for this setup. Correct me if Im wrong

[adrean8j]

Originally Posted by sbefar01

I read that if you go much lower with KW's your not supposed to throw a much larger sway bar on the front or you will understeer more but if you have a stock suspension a larger sway is more acceptable bc you are cleaning up excessive body roll. The KW's already clean up the body roll so i read that only a modest front sway bar is needed for this setup. Correct me if Im wrong

Hmm...might be correct but as I am not an suspension engineer I cannot say with any real confidence that the millimeters of difference between the major aftermarket/oem swaybars is going to make that big of a difference with the understeer. If anything I would wager a guess that the understeer would come "later" in a corner with the KW lowered versus the same swaybar on a stock suspension....the gearhead in here can confirm/deny this..

[arrutled]

Originally Posted by adrean8j

Do you have to have the M3 swaybar in conjunction with the wishbones and tension rods? Or will those work with my Hotchkis?

I do. The M3 control arms will work with any sway bar. When looking at suspension you are supposed to match your springs and your sways. the M3 control arms will have no adverse effect on this.