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rear antiroll bar

Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2016 6:21 pm
by parakeats
So I'm looking to upgrade the somewhat wallowy suspension of my 1990 318i. Last year it had new rear OEM springs which still seem unbelievably soft and I'm looking to what next.

I currently have some eccentric control arm bushes to be fitted when I find the time and tools, looking to replace the rear arm bushes, front anti roll bar links/bushes aswell.

But, as I don't have a rear antiroll bar, I can't just replace the links and bushes and be done with it... so, I'm looking at getting one :) Couple of cars being broken on ebay, but how much should I be paying for a rear bar, and anything to check on them to ensure that they're not scrap? (or is it worth getting a new uprated one?) I'm also unsure on what size bar to get out of the three standard or uprated ones. In the future I'll be looking to do a 6 cyl swap, not sure if the same bar will cover both engines?

Anyone able to provide an insight from experience? :)

Re: rear antiroll bar

Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2016 6:50 pm
by ACJJ619
Paid £15 for mine, from a touring I believe. It's literally as simple as a bent metal rod - it's unlikely any will be scrap. As far as I know they don't lose their torsional stiffness or anything so as long as it's not physically damaged (such as bent the wrong way) it will be fine.

I think the 6cyls generally came with a 12mm bar but honestly - the difference between the smallest and the biggest is 2.5mm - it's unlikely you'd feel much difference anything past placebo. The fact you're starting from nothing is what will bring the noticeable differences.

Unless you're going to be competing or you have the touch of Ayrton Senna, shedding out ten times the price for an uprated one probably isn't going to be worth it.

Re: rear antiroll bar

Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2016 7:00 pm
by parakeats
okay, seems cheap enough then, will make sure I don't get ripped off ;)

I'm no Ayrton Senna, but coming from an old mini to a 318i is a bit of a shock when it comes to suspension stiffness you could say... been 2 years and still not used to it :P