[colorado.e9x]

Originally Posted by Greyfox

Inched a few more miles closer to the 300k mile mark....

And decided to get rid of my 8.5 x 17 square setup with 245/45R17 and go back to a more milder 8x17 and 225/45R17 setup.

Also got a notice from Strongflex.eu that the rear lateral arm to chassis bushings would be here ~Thursday.

Update us on those bushings I wanna stiffen it up for performance without sacrificing a huge amount of comfort

[Greyfox]

Originally Posted by colorado.e9x

Update us on those bushings I wanna stiffen it up for performance without sacrificing a huge amount of comfort

I've got the red ones in the front tension arms and they actually improved the "xi" jar when hitting bumps a good bit without sacrificing the ride or performance.

But I noticed my rear wheels definitely starting to camber out and I replaced the wheel carrier bushings and control arms not to long ago for the second time. I noticed the lower arm chassis bushings were starting to give way a bit more than they should. I did get the yellow bushings since this is a wagon and a good bit heavier than a sedan in the rear.

[E92William]

Me and coloradoe9x have M3 bushings fitted to the tension arms in the xi front and I think it makes a very good difference when it comes to how the car drives and communicates the road without being rough at all. I'd like to see what upgrades can be done to the rear aswell. Preferably just press in stuff

[colorado.e9x]

Originally Posted by Greyfox

I've got the red ones in the front tension arms and they actually improved the "xi" jar when hitting bumps a good bit without sacrificing the ride or performance.

But I noticed my rear wheels definitely starting to camber out and I replaced the wheel carrier bushings and control arms not to long ago for the second time. I noticed the lower arm chassis bushings were starting to give way a bit more than they should. I did get the yellow bushings since this is a wagon and a good bit heavier than a sedan in the rear.

Thats what I noticed about my M3 tension bushings. Improved a lot of things. Of course thats coming from both blown bushings and ball joints but yeah what Will said to the T.

I'm either thinking of doing a full M3 rear suspension or sparkling in some poly bushings (probably red?)

Will also be redoing the rest of the front suspension with OEM and Meyle HD. Maybe a UUC swaybar kit we'll see

[Boosted12a]

I have the yellow strong flex tension rod bushing on my xi as well. Great improvement. More solid feel and the car stopped pulling to the side when I hit the brakes. One side was bone dry inside so I'm guessing it was blown for a some time

[3PedalJake]

Originally Posted by colorado.e9x

Thats what I noticed about my M3 tension bushings. Improved a lot of things. Of course thats coming from both blown bushings and ball joints but yeah what Will said to the T.

I'm either thinking of doing a full M3 rear suspension or sparkling in some poly bushings (probably red?)

Will also be redoing the rest of the front suspension with OEM and Meyle HD. Maybe a UUC swaybar kit we'll see

Do you have any experience with the subframe bushings? I'm on a no turning back now path to M3 rear subframe bushings. It's the most intrusive, I mean subframe has to come down because the M3 bushings have to go in from the top but as I'm swapping a rust free cali edition figured go all the way. I have a tool on the way for it, but I see ppl on videos burning them out with torches and beating them with sledge hammers and shit, I don't think so. It should be easy to get the stock bushings out of the ebay subframe, it looks like it was just made efthreeoh could get another couple hundred thou prolly but I'm lusting those M3s.

Also going for the TRW M3 arms with the "BMW" ground off, cheaper than OEM and real M3.

[colorado.e9x]

Originally Posted by 3PedalJake

Do you have any experience with the subframe bushings? I'm on a no turning back now path to M3 rear subframe bushings. It's the most intrusive, I mean subframe has to come down because the M3 bushings have to go in from the top but as I'm swapping a rust free cali edition figured go all the way. I have a tool on the way for it, but I see ppl on videos burning them out with torches and beating them with sledge hammers and shit, I don't think so. It should be easy to get the stock bushings out of the ebay subframe, it looks like it was just made efthreeoh could get another couple hundred thou prolly but I'm lusting those M3s.

Also going for the TRW M3 arms with the "BMW" ground off, cheaper than OEM and real M3.

Only rear end stuff I have experience with is replacing the shock and springs. Just cause I hate dealing with pressing bushings in Ill probably do aluminum inserts for that.

As far as TRW thats exactly what I had in mind. Theyre cheaper than OEM lemforder too I'm pretty sure. I wish TRW would make some of their own M3 style arms for xi

[3PedalJake]

Originally Posted by colorado.e9x

Only rear end stuff I have experience with is replacing the shock and springs. Just cause I hate dealing with pressing bushings in Ill probably do aluminum inserts for that.

As far as TRW thats exactly what I had in mind. Theyre cheaper than OEM lemforder too I'm pretty sure. I wish TRW would make some of their own M3 style arms for xi

Same, I've never gone past shocks and springs but devil hates a coward. That's the great thing about these two wheel in the grave cars, anything you do for them is a good thing. I was contemplating taking it to a shop to have the bushings pressed in, but tbh I can't stand the thought of anyone (other than body ppl) touching it. The master trailing arm bushing tool kit is on sale at turner right now,,,,

[colorado.e9x]

Originally Posted by 3PedalJake

Same, I've never gone past shocks and springs but devil hates a coward. That's the great thing about these two wheel in the grave cars, anything you do for them is a good thing. I was contemplating taking it to a shop to have the bushings pressed in, but tbh I can't stand the thought of anyone (other than body ppl) touching it. The master trailing arm bushing tool kit is on sale at turner right now,,,,

Nice quote, never heard that one before but I agree. Tbh if its a reputable shop I trust I'd totally let them press the bushings in. Only one problem: labor is expensive lol. Would much rather shade-tree it and curse at my car for being a pita

[3PedalJake]

Originally Posted by colorado.e9x

Nice quote, never heard that one before but I agree. Tbh if its a reputable shop I trust I'd totally let them press the bushings in. Only one problem: labor is expensive lol. Would much rather shade-tree it and curse at my car for being a pita

Trust isn't really the issue, or money. I DIY by choice not necessity I'm sure you know. If they do it wrong they can do it again but when I'm going down the road I want to know all the little steps that got it there, so I gotta do it even if I spend as much or more in tools as they would charge.

The subframe tool: https://www.ebay.com/itm/333158778716

[colorado.e9x]

Originally Posted by 3PedalJake

Trust isn't really the issue, or money. I DIY by choice not necessity I'm sure you know. If they do it wrong they can do it again but when I'm going down the road I want to know all the little steps that got it there, so I gotta do it even if I spend as much or more in tools as they would charge.

The subframe tool: https://www.ebay.com/itm/333158778716

Love that reasoning (not sarcasm). I'd be more on that side if I had a lift or at the very least a decent creeper I think. That tool looks good too. Could probably get them replaced quick with an impact on its low setting

[3PedalJake]

Originally Posted by colorado.e9x

Love that reasoning (not sarcasm). I'd be more on that side if I had a lift or at the very least a decent creeper I think. That tool looks good too. Could probably get them replaced quick with an impact on its low setting

We like sarcasm too, especially when you're pointing to this thing that's basically a diamond with a little dirt on it and they think it's a potato. I had dreams of a real 40x60 shop with a lift by now, but life and all. I got a garage and a quickjack and a harbor freight creeper, grabbing for the brass ring now.

Edit: And a HF motorsickle/ATV jack, it's like a table jack for short ppl and us without lifts.

[fmc000]

Not exactly today but a few days ago. I had a CC-ID-121 from the passenger Xenon that sometimes turned off by itself while driving; turning off and on the car again usually took care of it but it was annoying to say the least.

I bought an original Philips D1S (made in Germany) from Amazon and replaced the bulb (PITA). To my surprise I found that the previous owner of the car had installed this:

[colorado.e9x]

Originally Posted by fmc000

Not exactly today but a few days ago. I had a CC-ID-121 from the passenger Xenon that sometimes turned off by itself while driving; turning off and on the car again usually took care of it but it was annoying to say the least.

I bought an original Philips D1S (made in Germany) from Amazon and replaced the bulb (PITA). To my surprise I found that the previous owner of the car had installed this:

Sometimes when I take corners hard my lights flicker. Cant tell if its a ballast issue or if my power steering pump is sucking all the juice

[John 070]

Originally Posted by fmc000

Not exactly today but a few days ago. I had a CC-ID-121 from the passenger Xenon that sometimes turned off by itself while driving; turning off and on the car again usually took care of it but it was annoying to say the least.

I bought an original Philips D1S (made in Germany) from Amazon and replaced the bulb (PITA). To my surprise I found that the previous owner of the car had installed this:

I had to replace my right angel eye--it took 1 hour and there was blood all over the housing. Completely defies logic, common sense, and contrary to the YouTubes! (I dread the time that the left goes out)

[freakystyly]

My driver side headlight started strobing randomly too last week.

It felt like it only happened when cornering and on the gas but lately it's on the straights too. Completely random times, I don't think it's a short or a pinched wire. My airbox does come close to pinching the drivers side headlight wire but it would have to move ~1" constantly. I think it's just a bulb or ballast.. will swap the bulb this weekend if I remember to.

[nsjames]

Originally Posted by colorado.e9x

Sometimes when I take corners hard my lights flicker. Cant tell if its a ballast issue or if my power steering pump is sucking all the juice

not sure if serious?
the power steering is hydraulic.

Originally Posted by freakystyly

My driver side headlight started strobing randomly too last week.

It felt like it only happened when cornering and on the gas but lately it's on the straights too. Completely random times, I don't think it's a short or a pinched wire. My airbox does come close to pinching the drivers side headlight wire but it would have to move ~1" constantly. I think it's just a bulb or ballast.. will swap the bulb this weekend if I remember to.

check the wires in the light.
they lose their insulation because of the heat. last I was in mine i had to patch up some spots with liquid pvc.

[colorado.e9x]

Originally Posted by nsjames

not sure if serious?
the power steering is hydraulic.

check the wires in the light.
they lose their insulation because of the heat. last I was in mine i had to patch up some spots with liquid pvc.

Blonde moment there lol. I had just woken up when I posted that

[905SlowE92]

Originally Posted by colorado.e9x

Sometimes when I take corners hard my lights flicker. Cant tell if its a ballast issue or if my power steering pump is sucking all the juice

My head lights are flickering too, usually when I'm braking to stop. My battery does need to be replaced because starting the car and checking the volt meter it drops voltage when starting. So I'm praying that changing the battery will help the starting and flickering of my lights (which the bulbs need to be replaced)

[ky0u]

So close to being done, just gotta finish up that rear bumper

[Dapper93]

What did I do to her? I put a plate on it! This community seems massive, excited to learn from all of your past grievances

2011 E90 328i xDrive with every option offered in Canada... I'm in love!

[Miggle]

Fixed a REALLY rough idle that sprung up on the way home from the dealer by giving the ignition coils some poke and twist treatment to surprising effect - runs smooth now!

But man... trying to get the plastic cover of the N53 is pain in the ***!