ECS Tuning Performance Rear Trailing Arm Set

[1Pirate]

These are a new product from ECS Tuning. Anyone tried these yet or thinking about trying them?

http://www.ecstuning.com/News/BMW_E8...013/ES2777155/

[lowbudgethero]

Interesting, I'd have to get my pry bar out to see how much flex there is on the factory ones when I swap to the m upper control arms. It doesn't replace the bushings though, which I would think would flex more anyway.

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by lowbudgethero

Interesting, I'd have to get my pry bar out to see how much flex there is on the factory ones when I swap to the m upper control arms. It doesn't replace the bushings though, which I would think would flex more anyway.

That's why you buy these :

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-12...r-e82-e9x.aspx

[ECSTuning]

We just released these on Monday, I'd be very impressed if anyone had them installed already.

Originally Posted by lowbudgethero

Interesting, I'd have to get my pry bar out to see how much flex there is on the factory ones when I swap to the m upper control arms. It doesn't replace the bushings though, which I would think would flex more anyway.

We don't provide bushings to allow the customer to choose how aggressive they want to go with their bushing choice.

-James

[1Pirate]

Originally Posted by ECSTuning

We just released these on Monday, I'd be very impressed if anyone had them installed already.



We don't provide bushings to allow the customer to choose how aggressive they want to go with their bushing choice. Stock bushings are quiet nice for most in this application, but a few of my guys that picked up the arms already opted for PowerFlex bushings to replace their factory bushings with to make for an even more solid rear suspension.

-James

Yes I realize that they were just released. I was wondering if anyone else had seen them and had ordered them or was considering ordering them. I am considering them as I already have the M3 upper links and guide rods. I was wondering how much these would improve the suspension for someone who already upgraded to the rear M3 components and who has the M3 sub frame bushings as well.

[1Pirate]

Originally Posted by lowbudgethero

Interesting, I'd have to get my pry bar out to see how much flex there is on the factory ones when I swap to the m upper control arms. It doesn't replace the bushings though, which I would think would flex more anyway.

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

That's why you buy these :

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-12...r-e82-e9x.aspx

Good points.

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by ECSTuning

We just released these on Monday, I'd be very impressed if anyone had them installed already.



We don't provide bushings to allow the customer to choose how aggressive they want to go with their bushing choice. Stock bushings are quiet nice for most in this application, but a few of my guys that picked up the arms already opted for PowerFlex bushings to replace their factory bushings with to make for an even more solid rear suspension.

-James

Do you want to deliver a set to your favorite local E82 buddy?

[1Pirate]

Went ahead and bit the bullet on a set. $200 for a performance trailing arm set is not a major investment so I will be the first to try and report on them.

[fe1rx]

Originally Posted by 1Pirate

Went ahead and bit the bullet on a set. $200 for a performance trailing arm set is not a major investment so I will be the first to try and report on them.

Well, you will be able to report that they look pretty. Clearly any deflection in the trailing arm installation occurs in the bushings, so these links won't have any measurable performance benefit.

[HP Autosport]

You are better off upgrading the bushings first. The trailing arm is pretty much along for the ride.

[andrey_gta]

Very nice - great success.

One question,
Isnt the OEM one designed to flex? to get Toe when it is in use? There is a huge thread on e9x M3/ e82 1m side of things.

Also in a crash scenario, the OEM it is designed to bend to absorb?

[jafo1701]

Interesting. I'll have to look into these for next year. Reference the bushings. Will I need any special tool to get those out if I decide to upgrade to stiffer bushings. I've already upgraded to the M3 arms, subframe bushings, front sway bar and rear guide rod links.

[PeteA]

Why not make this adjustable so that it fits more than one specific chassis? Not that I am complaining just seems silly from that logic.

[1Pirate]

Originally Posted by HP Autosport

You are better off upgrading the bushings first. The trailing arm is pretty much along for the ride.

Thanks. May do the bushings at the same time.

[1Pirate]

Originally Posted by jafo1701

Interesting. I'll have to look into these for next year. Reference the bushings. Will I need any special tool to get those out if I decide to upgrade to stiffer bushings. I've already upgraded to the M3 arms, subframe bushings, front sway bar and rear guide rod links.

I have the same question about whether a special tool is needed to remove the bushings.

[1Pirate]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

That's why you buy these :

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-12...r-e82-e9x.aspx

Those look nice, but I also found the Whiteline poly bushings for significantly less. Might go with those instead. http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-...8i-135i-w63400

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by 1Pirate

Those look nice, but I also found the Whiteline poly bushings for significantly less. Might go with those instead. http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-...8i-135i-w63400

Powerflex also make a set IIRC.

[1Pirate]

I ordered a set of the Whitline bushings. Probably should have just ordered the Powerflex bushings from ECS when I ordered the arms, but I didn't think about changing the bushings at the time. I suspect the Whiteline bushings will do fine, especially with my other M3 suspension mods, and they are cheaper than the Powerflex bushings.

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by andrey_gta

Very nice - great success.

One question,
Isnt the OEM one designed to flex? to get Toe when it is in use? There is a huge thread on e9x M3/ e82 1m side of things.

Also in a crash scenario, the OEM it is designed to bend to absorb?

Yes, there is reason why BMW made this particular arm the way they did. Making this arm more rigid may have negative affects on the handling of the vehicle as well. Taking the bind out of the suspension will net you more significant gains in handling than just stiffer arms. The arms can only work as well as the attaching points and they are still flexible rubber...

And certainly in a crash situation, other components may subject to more forces because of this arm being upgraded to the none yield type. I personally would tread carefully with this modification(I don't want to call it an upgrade for obvious reasons).

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by 1Pirate

Those look nice, but I also found the Whiteline poly bushings for significantly less. Might go with those instead. http://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-...8i-135i-w63400

There is also
Strongflex.eu
and Nolathane the whiteline's sister line

Both are low cost and perhaps cheaper than Whiteline

[houtan]

Can anyone she some light on how difficult it is to swap out the bushings? Do you need a bushing press or can they be swapped with your typical household mechanic tools?

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by houtan

Can anyone she some light on how difficult it is to swap out the bushings? Do you need a bushing press or can they be swapped with your typical household mechanic tools?

bushing puller maybe. see if you tube has e46 e60 or other vids
EG -