OEM rubber eccentric bushes available for E46s's.

[bss325i]

Well it turns out that Z4M's use an eccentric version of the E46 M3 bush.

You can buy them individually complete with bracket or as a bush set on its own as per E30 M3 eccentric bushes.

On realoem, it lists the Z4M eccentric bush as 66mm Diameter and it lists the same 66mm diameter for a standard E46 bush so in theory the eccentric Z4M bushes should just press into a standard E46 lolly pop bracket.



Left bracket and bush 31107836862 £56.88
Right bracket and bush 31107836863 £56.88

Bush set 31107838575 £40.63,

Cheaper than a set of genuine BMW, Lemforder and Melyle standard bushes with brackets!

[bss325i]

[DanThe]

Top info!

[Andyboy]

Increased castor FTW!

[Simon13]

Shit, i need these for the B3s Go Barrold

[Demlotcrew]

Good find Bazza! That looks like a thin cast bracket like the E46 M3 version?

Andrew

[bss325i]

Good find Bazza! That looks like a thin cast bracket like the E46 M3 version?

Andrew

Sadly the M3 bush is 60mm vs the Z4M/normal E46 bush 66mm.

[Demlotcrew]

You could easily have the M3 housing machined out, no problems

[bss325i]

True, if its big enough. Will have to measure.

A cutter, admittedly where i spotted this initially has just fitted the Z4M ones complete with bracket to his M3 but the M3 lolly pop bracket has an additional threaded mount for the chassis brace which means leaving a bolt out.

His words were, "my mechanic told me it didnt matter as there are other bolts holding it on".

Well it's obviously there for a reason! At a guess, the M3 chassis generates higher lateral forces there hence the extra mounting?

The extra bolt hole may be the reason why the bush is smaller?

[Demlotcrew]

Theres plenty of thread on the M3 casting to accept the stock bolt and an additional +3mm on the ID so I still think thats a good way forward. I ground off the M3 casting to fit the stock M3 bushes to my diesel as they are so much better than the stock non ///M ones.

The M3's alloy front cross brace bolts to the bushes as you say and also on the front inner balljoints on the control arms making them double sheer for extra load capacity, the control arm bushes most definitely need to be fastened to the cross brace.

[DanThe]

Do you have a Z4 in the workshop Barry?

[bss325i]

No mate. That pic was grabbed off the web.

[Simon13]

So who was the clever chap that worked this out?

[bss325i]

http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=96456

This guy i think found it out from some US guys.

Have a read. The guy seems to think the chassis brace isn't that important!

[Demlotcrew]

It's interesting that the guys claims lots of track cars are using eccentric bushes, from what I hear the racers complain of added understeer with the increased castor.

[bss325i]

An M3 has about seven and a half degrees caster and an non M3 E46 around five and a half.

Be interesting to see how much extra caster these bushes give on a non M E46 and if it comes close to the M3's seven and a half.

[DanThe]

Pressed ally sheet = chassis brace?

How thick is it barry? Could I bodge it to my E30 undercarriage?

[bss325i]

All E46 chassis braces are pressed ally. A standard E46 one would be better i would have thought, prob about an inch and a half thick?

[DanThe]

How thick is the sheet ally though, about 1.5 - 2mm I would expect?

[Demlotcrew]

It's double skinned Dan.

[Demlotcrew]

I think it will add too much underhand on the e30, ground clearance and exhaust/anti roll bar would be a big issue.

[DanThe]

It's double skinned Dan.

Yeah I can see that, will have a try anyway

[Demlotcrew]

Get some photos when you do as it would be interesting to see how it lines up

[Simon13]

i've just fitted a set of these to my b3s touring. Lovely, well worth it

[bss325i]

What were the castor readings?

[Simon13]

dunno i'll have to check the sheet

[G-Bear]

The lollipop bushes on my E46 320D sport Touring are shagged. Do you (Simon13) reckon these are worth their while for mine? Or does it only benefit the sportier E46's (B3's M3's)?

[Simon13]

no id say its of benefit to any e46 G bear, my b3 is based on a 330i SE as the base car

fit and forget they won't die in two years time

[G-Bear]

Excellent. Cheers Simon, I'll get some ordered.

[G-Bear]

The new pre assembled bushes and lollipops are sat at home waiting for me. From reading a bit on other forums it seems most people fit these with the control arm in situ. But a lot have the polly bush types that come in two parts.

Is this possible with the OEM Z4 bushes? When ever I've done it on the E30 I've always had the wishbone out on a bench.

[Demlotcrew]

They pull off very easily. No need to take the arm off.

[G-Bear]

They pull off very easily. No need to take the arm off.

Thanks Demlotcrew. And the new ones go on easily too?

[Demlotcrew]

Yeah, they are very loose compared to the E30 bushes that need pressing on. I just use some washing up liquid and they slip on.

[G-Bear]

Right-o.. Thanks again..

[Demlotcrew]

Of course the new bush does need to be pressed in to the housing as that is not a push fit.