Up grade to M3 front strut mounts?

Post Mon Oct 30, 2006 4:07 pm

Changing front strut top mounts, can I up grade to M3 ones, are they better and is it worthwhile? And are the ECP/GSF ones as good as oringal BMW parts?

Thanks

Post Mon Oct 30, 2006 4:29 pm

The e30 M3 strut mounts have some extra camber dialed-in. Which is great to help turn-in. All e30s benefit from extra camber.

Post Mon Oct 30, 2006 4:30 pm

LeeInMontreal wrote:The e30 M3 strut mounts have some extra camber dialed-in. Which is great to help turn-in. All e30s benefit from extra camber.

The tyres don't tho

Post Mon Oct 30, 2006 4:54 pm

Thanks for the advice, I'll stick to standard.

With my old mans reaction speed, faster turn in is the last thing I need!

Maxfield, please change your sig pic, or at least, show us that the nipper is OK?

Post Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:19 pm

stick to main dealer parts at least you know its quality

Post Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:30 pm

I've checked the ECP website and they list two brands, on e a "no-name" and the other a brand called Lemfoerder, who are part of the ZF group and probably make the original parts.

I'll see what how much the dealer charges tomorrow.

Post Mon Oct 30, 2006 7:19 pm

LeeInMontreal wrote:The e30 M3 strut mounts have some extra camber dialed-in. Which is great to help turn-in. All e30s benefit from extra camber.

They should be the same as any other E30 top mounts.

IF you are on about the CAB's then they dial in more caster not camber and those are fitted to the M3.

Andrew

Post Mon Oct 30, 2006 9:26 pm

Demlotcrew wrote:They should be the same as any other E30 top mounts.

IF you are on about the CAB's then they dial in more caster not camber and those are fitted to the M3.

Andrew

The early e30 M3s (1987-88) had regular strut bearing as all the other e30s, then they installed the e30 M3 specific parts with offset bearing to add camber (not much, only between 0.5Ãƒ”šÃ‚° and 0.75Ãƒ”šÃ‚°). Those parts were installed from the factory. Anybody using their e30 for the track should have extra front camber. BTW 0.5Ãƒ”šÃ‚° extra is nothing as my car has aluminum camber plates with 3.5Ãƒ”šÃ‚° extra. I would not drive it without. And I could not care less about tire wear on the street as I would wear the outside of the tires even more on the track without the extra camber.

The e30M3 also had way more caster thanks to a very different front suspension.

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/de ... 1331139484

Also about Lemforder, they are OEM suppliers and their quality is top notch. Meyle also is OEM on certain other suspension parts. I would not install cheap Asian knock-offs, especially in the suspension. Cheaper balljoints are known to shear at very inopportun moments...

Post Tue Oct 31, 2006 9:04 am

Mate trust me,
the early and late cars didnt have offset top mounts!

The later cars have alloy control arms and eccentric CAB's thats it!

Your car must have quite allot of roll to warrant 3.5deg of front camber!

When using a McPherson strut design the camber is directly proportional to the roll.

You guys didnt even get the proper M3s in the states i really cant see BMW North America introducing these top mounts in the US only!