GSF/ECP vs OEM

[Cloggy Saint]

I'm soon going to be changing all my suspension bushes, wishbones, drop links etc, front and rear. Is it really worth spending the extra $ on oem or will gsf/ecp kit be good enough for these type of parts?

[bss325i]

OEM for anything rubber including drop links!

Wishbones of a decent brand from euros are ok.

[Cloggy Saint]

I'd budgeted for oem anyway, I was just hoping i could save a few euros if the quality was similar. I'll definitely get aftermarket wishbones though, 100 quid a side is a bit rich for me!

[Blitz]

Arnt they alloy on tourings?

[Simon13]

/\ only 325's from factory

GSF sell febi bilstein arms around £40 each which are OE

[TheMeathead]

and ecp do the bushes and drop links hich are made by boge...

im guessing they are oem ones? correct me if im wrong

[bss325i]

and ecp do the bushes and drop links hich are made by boge...

im guessing they are oem ones? correct me if im wrong

No the ECP ones are not made by boge and i dont even think boge make bushes.

The patern bushes and drop links sold by ECP are shit and ware out much much quicker than genuine BMW ones.

[Simon13]

GSF do a german brand drop link i can't think of the brand name it might be lemforder, they seem ok from the set i used on my E36 as they're same as E30 ones

[B7]

in my experience, theres not much difference in price between oem and the better quality items from GSF / ECP. Their cheap ranges will save you a fortune but it's total shite. I had a set of droplinks on mine from GSF and in just over a year and 1500 miles they were split and knackered. you get what you pay for, full stop.

GSF do a german brand drop link i can't think of the brand name it might be lemforder,

Si's right. Lemforder and Febi Bilstein are both OEM quality.

[bss325i]

As are Elring, bosch and Ate.

[Rich_W]

Why not Powerflex bushes? (Obviously once they have rebuilt their place in Uxbridge)

[Cloggy Saint]

Why not Powerflex bushes? (Obviously once they have rebuilt their place in Uxbridge)

I want my fillings to remain in my teeth

[zaust]

Si's right. Lemforder and Febi Bilstein are both OEM quality.


Spot on, Just check that if you buy bit's from the dealer they will only supply the part you ask for ie. Ask for sachs clutch at the dealer's and that's what you will get. Ask for the same with gsf or ecp and you will get the whole kit. Or same witht the drop link's. gsf/ecp will give you new bolt's too, dealer's won't even think about it.

[dano0]

bmw drop links and lower arms are lemforder get a old one and clean off the rust and you will find a little triangle next to the bmw badge the triangle is lemforders symbol and im pretty sure all the rubber is made by them to
as a comparison lower arms £125 a side from bmw or £42 for lemforder from gsf or ecp
and obviously all the other parts are cheaper from gsf or ecp in lemforder
hth
dano0

[Cloggy Saint]

Before I go ahead and order anything, in the time I've had the car (40,000 ish miles) the only bushes I've replaced have been the rear beam, rear top mounts and the front wishbones for M3 inner bushes. Is it probably fair to say it would benefit from new bushes/links all around, including tie rods?

[cro320]

Before I go ahead and order anything, in the time I've had the car (40,000 ish miles) the only bushes I've replaced have been the rear beam, rear top mounts and the front wishbones for M3 inner bushes. Is it probably fair to say it would benefit from new bushes/links all around, including tie rods?

actually, yes.

I done this work at front recently and it's a new car, really.
Tie rods should be fine if there is no sign of play or clunking....

this week I am completely refurbing my rear axle, just ordered today all Lemforder parts...that should be OEM quality, could use Meyle for cheap but I don't trust them

[Simon13]

the front M3 bushes never go wrong so their won't be a problem there

[scott180gtb]

I'm doing the same work. Can gsf supply the Bilstien shocks for a sport as well. I figure its best practice to replace after 20 years. Does the same rule apply for wheel bearings.

[cro320]

I'm doing the same work. Can gsf supply the Bilstien shocks for a sport as well. I figure its best practice to replace after 20 years. Does the same rule apply for wheel bearings.

best bearings are FAG
you can get Boge/Sachs for Bilstein replacement, Sachs was original fitment for BMW M-technic

[Cloggy Saint]

I ended up getting all oem parts, apart from the arms, which will be coming from gsf.

[Simon13]

I'm doing the same work. Can gsf supply the Bilstien shocks for a sport as well. I figure its best practice to replace after 20 years. Does the same rule apply for wheel bearings.

Unless the bearings are vocal then i'd leave them. They're strong and last a very long time

[scott180gtb]

This mite start a long debate.

What’s the best combination of bushes to use? From reading various threads I think you can use some of the M3 bushes on the front to improve turn in. I’m going to use an E36 rack for better lock to lock.

Also I have read in Andyboys book that the Bilstein B6 dampers with eibach springs are the best combination for fast road driving. What sort of drop?

And finally, I’m refurbing my callipers because I want to keep things looking stock. What is the best combination of disk and pads for fast road use using standard wheels?

[capri_rob]

The standard Eibach Pro Kit gives a -35mm drop

Might be an idea to have a Sticky for what brands ECP/GSF sell that are genuinely OEM quality.

I know for example that Kengst make genuine BMW stamped air filters - but GSF sell Kengst air filters for about half the price that the dealer charges.

So - definately OEM quality, available from GSF/ECP and not worth paying dealer premiums :

Kengst - Air filters
Lemforder - Droplinks
Febi Bilstein - Wishbones
NGK - Plugs
Bilstein - Shocks

Any more ?

[cro320]

Filters - Mahle
bearings - FAG
balljoints - Lemforder or Febi

[StevenC3828]

I believe head gaskets = Elring

[Dave_M3]

Hengst - Air filters
Lemforder - Bushes & Droplinks
Febi Bilstein - Wishbones
NGK - Plugs
Bilstein - Shocks
Filters - Mahle
bearings - FAG
balljoints - Lemforder or Febi
Rad - Hella
Lights - Hella/Bosch
electrics - most electrics Bosch
Coils - Bosch/Bremi
Bearings - FAG/SKF/KLM
Clutches - Sachs

[Royalratch]

and ecp do the bushes and drop links hich are made by boge...

im guessing they are oem ones? correct me if im wrong

No the ECP ones are not made by boge and i dont even think boge make bushes.

The patern bushes and drop links sold by ECP are shit and ware out much much quicker than genuine BMW ones.

I did this recently.

I bought BMW Wishbones and TCA Bushes.
I bought Lemforder Rod Ends, Drop Links and ARB Bushes.

Though I use MotorMec for OEM (not BMW stamped but same) parts, ECP do sell Febi/Lemforder branded stuff as well as junk - you must ask for the BRANDED stuff. I've even bought Lemforder/Febi stuff from Motormec and it arrives in a BMW box, stamped with BMW markings and part stickers.

Between Febi, Meyle and Lemforder, they make 90% of all bushes/steering/linkages/suspension/subframe on an E30 Including wishbones. Some parts are even made by both manufacturers at the same time.

[Royalratch]

Kengst - Air filters
Lemforder - Bushes & Droplinks
Febi Bilstein - Wishbones
NGK - Plugs
Bilstein - Shocks
Filters - Mahle
bearings - FAG
balljoints - Lemforder or Febi
Rad - Hella
Lights - Hella/Bosch
electrics - most electrics Bosch
Coils - Bosch/Bremi
Bearings - FAG/SKF/KLM
Clutches - Sachs

Hengst filter.

I though the Rad was made by Nissens?

TCA Brackets (lollipops) by Meyle as well as some Wishbones...?

[Dave_M3]

Yeah, pretty sure I was told the rads were Hella but it was for an M3 so maybe different...

[zaust]

Hengst - Air filters
Lemforder - Bushes & Droplinks
Febi Bilstein - Wishbones
NGK - Plugs low comp
Bosch - Plugs high comp
Bilstein - Shocks
Filters - Mahle
bearings - FAG
balljoints - Lemforder or Febi
Rad - Hella
Lights - Hella/Bosch
electrics - most electrics Bosch
Coils - Bosch/Bremi
Bearings - FAG/SKF/KLM
Clutches - Sachs

[cro320]

RAD - Nissens,Behr,Hella

[e30bmlover]

OEM for anything rubber including drop links!

Wishbones of a decent brand from euros are ok.

+ 1 you cant go wrong with genuine bmw parts.