[MikeP335i]

Can't wait to get these installed and the car aligned.

I've upgraded to Ohlins R&T and decided to do the front control arms as well. M3 lower control arms and tension struts with Turner Monoballs swapped for the FCAB.

Big thanks to my friends at Loco Exotics for swapping in the Turner Bushings for me.

[stelvio]

M3 control arms on Xi?

[MikeP335i]

Originally Posted by stelvio

M3 control arms on Xi?

I wish, I have two 335is, a xdrive sedan, and a rwd coupe. I liked the turner monoballs so much on my xi that I have gone ahead and done the same upgrade to my coupe while putting in the Ohlins R&T coil over kit.

[MikeP335i]

Car is at the shop getting aligned.....

[bluewater328]

Get ready for more in-cabin vibrations.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by bluewater328

Get ready for more in-cabin vibrations.

Definitely, but this also made steering and braking improvements that are pretty unreal.

As long as you don't have a solid strut mount up top there is still a bit of rubber cushion in the system.

I would actually really like to swap out from my monoballs to a fresh set of OE fluid-filled bushing to see the difference. I went from 100k stockers (not leaking) so probably not a fair comparison.

Did you find these to be super vibe-y bluewater?

[bluewater328]

Originally Posted by tlow98

Definitely, but this also made steering and braking improvements that are pretty unreal.

As long as you don't have a solid strut mount up top there is still a bit of rubber cushion in the system.

I would actually really like to swap out from my monoballs to a fresh set of OE fluid-filled bushing to see the difference. I went from 100k stockers (not leaking) so probably not a fair comparison.

Did you find these to be super vibe-y bluewater?

I have the German Auto Solutions version, but they're all pretty similar in concept. There is definitely more vibration. Is it bad...eh just depends who you are. You feel more connected to the steering but you start hearing vibrations you hadn't before and have to go get those locked down/dampened/etc.

Ie. I did a paddle upgrade with the BMS cable and now I have to go stick a piece of sound dampener in the column shield to keep the cable from rattling. Or my extra wiring/harness for my sound upgrades from the deck need to do the same. Now cabin vibrations are eh soso, since you might get similar feeling from a stiffer suspension/coil overs...so I call that a personal call.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by bluewater328

I have the German Auto Solutions version, but they're all pretty similar in concept. There is definitely more vibration. Is it bad...eh just depends who you are. You feel more connected to the steering but you start hearing vibrations you hadn't before and have to go get those locked down/dampened/etc.

Ie. I did a paddle upgrade with the BMS cable and now I have to go stick a piece of sound dampener in the column shield to keep the cable from rattling. Or my extra wiring/harness for my sound upgrades from the deck need to do the same. Now cabin vibrations are eh soso, since you might get similar feeling from a stiffer suspension/coil overs...so I call that a personal call.

Agree on most accounts. I also noticed some steering vibrations when stopped and cranking the wheel in a parking lot, etc. Tho I would not consider them bad.

Did you get a chance to try a fresh set of hydro bushings or m3 units? People that try the M3 ones basically sound similar to what we are saying which makes me think they are likely very similar.

[MikeP335i]

Depending on your personal preferences and what you are trying to achieve with the car the monoballs are great. I have a set on my 09 xi and like what they did in terms of steering feel and braking. Yes you do feel the road, but I like that. Between that and the KW V3 the car rides like a go cart. Since I'm ~450 HP to the wheels it's a lot of fun and I appreciate the added feel. I settled on the monoballs for the AWD car because the M3 arms aren't available and the hydro bushings were shot. Admittedly I never thought about trying to press M3 bushing into the XI arms.

The car above is a 09 6spd coupe RWD. I got a good deal on it but it came with a set of clapped out raceland coil overs. I've been driving it for a year and a half and it rode like crap. After putting in the Ohlins R&T, I decided to do the control arms also before getting the car aligned. I guess a victim of "while I'm in there" and too much time on my hands with COVID. I bought a set of M3 arms from FCP Euro and my friend swapped the FCABs out for me. I was tempted to just go with the M3 bushes, but in the end decided to go for it.

If you are looking for a plush ride, the monoballs won't be for you, maybe the M3 bushings fit the bill. I have a new pair of M3 FCABs on the shelf now if I ever want to try that out I can swap those into the arms I took out.

[MikeP335i]

Originally Posted by bluewater328

I have the German Auto Solutions version, but they're all pretty similar in concept. There is definitely more vibration. Is it bad...eh just depends who you are. You feel more connected to the steering but you start hearing vibrations you hadn't before and have to go get those locked down/dampened/etc.

Ie. I did a paddle upgrade with the BMS cable and now I have to go stick a piece of sound dampener in the column shield to keep the cable from rattling. Or my extra wiring/harness for my sound upgrades from the deck need to do the same. Now cabin vibrations are eh soso, since you might get similar feeling from a stiffer suspension/coil overs...so I call that a personal call.

I went with the Turner monoballs, two reasons price and design. I like the fact that they are one piece and don't use any screws to hold the shells in place. The Turner shells have ridges that score into the arms as they are pressed in. I'm sure either design is fine, but after talking to a mechanic friend who has installed a variety of this type of thing he liked the Turner design as he thought the two piece shells might move some over time. It took 6k of pressure to press the bushings into the arms, the instructions call for red locktite as well.

[Torgus]

Our suspensions are very similar. I like the upgraded m3 arms with the turner balljoints. A worthwhile upgrade.

[MikeP335i]

Originally Posted by Torgus

Our suspensions are very similar. I like the upgraded m3 arms with the turner balljoints. A worthwhile upgrade.

I've been riding around the past couple of days on this set up. A few observations.
1. There is no increase in noise or vibration in the cabin
2. Any vibration is felt in the steering wheel and only on rough roads, wouldn't even call it vibration, rather you can feel the road if that makes sense.
3. Steering response is much improved over the stock FCAB
4. Braking is much improved, although I did upgrade to stainless lines while I was in there, the responsiveness of the brakes is great. Assuming the give created by the stock hydro bushing under braking is gone.
5. The upgrade is somehow more pronounced in my AWD 335. Assuming because the front wheels are providing more input than just road feel since they are under power. Maybe the control arm design contributes some too.