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Ever since getting back to E46 world I couldnt stop thinking about subframe damage and eventhou I had none it still worried me.
So I ordered a reinforcement kit from bimmerwold.com http://store.bimmerworld.com/e46-rear-subframechassis-reinforcement-kit-p1176.aspx in order to forget about that once and for all.
And since the subrame would be all down I thought why not change the mounts as well. That took a little of a debate. Some recommended OEM replacement ones, some said OEM M3 mounts and then there were those that said Solid mounts. Well I began researching and found that solid mounts are WAY too much for a street car, OEM replacement are just pretty much same sh1t and OEM M3 ones aren't anything to be spending your money on.
My choice came down to my favorite product > Polyurethane. I already have Powerflex (purple) FCAB and I'm in love with them so my choice was obvious, Powerflex. I later discovered that Powerflex offers 2 versions for E46 rear subframe, one is Black and is somewhat very hand poly and the other is yellow and is a little softer. I decided on the yellow ones(reason being is that my car would experience about 80% of daily use and only about 20% of track use), also purchased here http://store.bimmerworld.com/powerflex-3-seriesz3-rear-subframe-mount-kit---high-durometer-p97.aspx
My advise to ANYONE who will not do this themself is to ask around and make sure you go to a reputable shop. I had my reinforcement kit and mounts install done at the shop that does BMWs exclusively and has alot of reputation.
So, here it goes my first impression.
WOW, simply wow.
The difference is day and night for me, the car feels really tight around the turns and when accelerating. Very stable at high speed turning and braking. Its hard to explain but I noticed the difference as soon as I took the first turn when leaving the shop. The car has less body roll, or should I say subframe roll, anyway it doesnt roll as much as it did. Shifting became a little more precise, not actual shifting but rather gear changes. And the question that probably bothers alot of people, NO the was no increase in vibration inside the cabin. So far I've driven just over 200kms on them.
For the record, I already had Powerflex FCAB and 80A poly tranny mounts.
Lastly I want to say that this mod is not for everyone as its pretty expensive, this mod is for people who want to experience BMW to its fullest potential.
Hope this helped anyone.
So I ordered a reinforcement kit from bimmerwold.com http://store.bimmerworld.com/e46-rear-subframechassis-reinforcement-kit-p1176.aspx in order to forget about that once and for all.
And since the subrame would be all down I thought why not change the mounts as well. That took a little of a debate. Some recommended OEM replacement ones, some said OEM M3 mounts and then there were those that said Solid mounts. Well I began researching and found that solid mounts are WAY too much for a street car, OEM replacement are just pretty much same sh1t and OEM M3 ones aren't anything to be spending your money on.
My choice came down to my favorite product > Polyurethane. I already have Powerflex (purple) FCAB and I'm in love with them so my choice was obvious, Powerflex. I later discovered that Powerflex offers 2 versions for E46 rear subframe, one is Black and is somewhat very hand poly and the other is yellow and is a little softer. I decided on the yellow ones(reason being is that my car would experience about 80% of daily use and only about 20% of track use), also purchased here http://store.bimmerworld.com/powerflex-3-seriesz3-rear-subframe-mount-kit---high-durometer-p97.aspx
My advise to ANYONE who will not do this themself is to ask around and make sure you go to a reputable shop. I had my reinforcement kit and mounts install done at the shop that does BMWs exclusively and has alot of reputation.
So, here it goes my first impression.
WOW, simply wow.
The difference is day and night for me, the car feels really tight around the turns and when accelerating. Very stable at high speed turning and braking. Its hard to explain but I noticed the difference as soon as I took the first turn when leaving the shop. The car has less body roll, or should I say subframe roll, anyway it doesnt roll as much as it did. Shifting became a little more precise, not actual shifting but rather gear changes. And the question that probably bothers alot of people, NO the was no increase in vibration inside the cabin. So far I've driven just over 200kms on them.
For the record, I already had Powerflex FCAB and 80A poly tranny mounts.
Lastly I want to say that this mod is not for everyone as its pretty expensive, this mod is for people who want to experience BMW to its fullest potential.
Hope this helped anyone.
