front wishbones-how much!!!!!

[fuzzy]

having looked at the prices for front wishbones for my 325 tourer,i notice that it lists several at between £28-£35 but state 'not 325 tourer'.the ones for my tourer are listed as alloy and cost £181 each .whats the difference apart from alloy/steel? can i use the cheaper parts as an extra £300 is a big difference.

[E30BeemerLad]

I believe so, I think most tourings are running around on steel ones now. I can see the reason why though!

ones for my soarer are upto £400 a side, just for the lower arms, independent double wishbone suspension front & rear, nice but pricey

Would wait for verification about the e30 arms though, but pretty sure i'm correct mate

[Matt_T]

Same situation with the M3, models up to 88 had steel ones, after came standard with alloy. I know on the M3 you can use either so assume it will be the same on ant other E30.

You may get clearance issues if you have wider alloys though with the steel wishbones

[Jhonno]

most are running steel anways now

standard steel wishbones from the steelers are £95 each+VAT

ECP sell some for £37+VAT

Rear discs for an M3 are £37+VAT Each!! Same price from stealers or ECP

Gonna be changing both wishbones, tie rods, rear discs and pads on my m3 suspension soon.. Significant bill

Rear discs for a normal 325i are £10+VAT each from ECP

[Morat]

Is there a significant weight difference?

[fuzzy]

not that would matter for road use,i wouldnt think.

[Simon]

Steel 3.7kg, ally 1.9kg.

I'll be fitting the steel ones to the M3 soon!

[fuzzy]

and i think ill be fitting the steel ones to my touring soon as well,sod paying £181+ vat each for the alloy items if its not nessesary

[Simon]

Apparently the balljoints are stronger in the ally arms, unless the car is going to see some hard track action I reckon the steel ones are a safe option!

[fuzzy]

it will be seeing hard track action,but not that often.even if they dont last i can still get 5 sets of steel ones for the price of 1 set of alloy,they wont break that often. i hope.

[Morat]

Thats quite a lot of sprung weight to save... well only if you're a perfectonist I guess. OK ok - a rich perfectionist

[jaistanley]

Predominantly un sprung dude...They are coupled directly with the hubs in the axis of the strut.

[Morat]

ahhh, even less likely to get a set of those then

[jaistanley]

Eh? Less unsprung = better

Bit excessive but sexy.. Set of these and some lightweight wheels and aluminium bell'd disks n 4 pots...Mmm. Dunno how much difference it'd make though for the outlay. I'm not trying to shave tenths off my commute to work!

Jai

[cecotto147]

I have just done the whole fromt end of my touring - one alloy and one steel wishbone tkaken off and aall steel ones pit on.
No difference in the fitment.
My M3 had steel on the front, most do now because of the price difference in them
You can change the individual joints in them though. ECP do the inner and outer joints, 11 and 8 quid each i believe. I did this on my m3, jsu took them off and down to the local fabricaotors who pressed them in for me. Job done.

[Simon]

I have read on S14.net that it is impossible to press the joints in the alloy arms, only the steel arms can be done.

[Morat]

Eh? Less unsprung = better

Bit excessive but sexy.. Set of these and some lightweight wheels and aluminium bell'd disks n 4 pots...Mmm. Dunno how much difference it'd make though for the outlay. I'm not trying to shave tenths off my commute to work!

Jai

Ahhhh I got it backwards then.....
Sprung = bits on the chassis
unsprung = bits that flap about on the suspension
??

If so, I'd be MORE likely to want alu ones - but still unlikely to splash the cash ;)