[Lancelot]

Caster and camber arms.

Initial feedback:
Steering feels so much more precise than with OEM bushings, really interesting change of feel.

Noise/vibrations increase not really noticeable.

Ride however is definitely more harsh, bumps and holes are felt more strongly, i wasn't expecting that since dampers are supposed to take most of that. It's part of the road feel so as always, you can't have your cake and eat it anyway. I can't say it's a big issue, just a change of feel.

Only issue remaining is knocking noises, didn't have them out of the shop after mounting the bushings, they came after the alignment shop did their job, i suspect they didn't tighten the attachment points of the control arms as well.

So overall I'm happy with these, let's see what happens in the next few days...

[Lancelot]

On knocking noises gone, damper rods were not bolted tightly enough, now no noise at all

[M-terkait]

Great, Although I didn't notice much more steering precision, I have done all the bushes and Had Tc kline SA coilovers.

tbh car felt even more comfy with them although my bushes were fine.

[Lancelot]

Originally Posted by M-terkait

Great, Although I didn't notice much more steering precision, I have done all the bushes and Had Tc kline SA coilovers.

tbh car felt even more comfy with them although my bushes were fine.

I'm also quite surprised that the harder feeling translates somehow into something positive, i wouldn't say comfy really, but i think i see what you mean; to me it's just better road feel, including imperfections, without that being a change for worse in terms of comfort.

There's also a bit more noise from the front end working, not annoying road noise, mechanical soft thudding (no knocks, it sounds all very tight), nothing annoying, just a bit more «*soundtrack*» coming from the front end working.

Overall getting happier with the car with this mod

Funny thing, since my usual shop (bavarian) was a powerflex dealer and i insisted on getting superpro because i liked the single piece design better, so a sales rep from superpro came to meet them, and they told me about his sales pitch which involved comparing sounds of superpro vs competitor bushings when banging them on a table, they say indeed superpro sounded like a soft thud while others sounded like a «*bang*», which is interesting when you think how this translates into road noise in the cabin when mounted.

[ceedawg]

Originally Posted by Lancelot

I'm also quite surprised that the harder feeling translates somehow into something positive, i wouldn't say comfy really, but i think i see what you mean; to me it's just better road feel, including imperfections, without that being a change for worse in terms of comfort.

There's also a bit more noise from the front end working, not annoying road noise, mechanical soft thudding (no knocks, it sounds all very tight), nothing annoying, just a bit more «*soundtrack*» coming from the front end working.

Overall getting happier with the car with this mod

Funny thing, since my usual shop (bavarian) was a powerflex dealer and i insisted on getting superpro because i liked the single piece design better, so a sales rep from superpro came to meet them, and they told me about his sales pitch which involved comparing sounds of superpro vs competitor bushings when banging them on a table, they say indeed superpro sounded like a soft thud while others sounded like a «*bang*», which is interesting when you think how this translates into road noise in the cabin when mounted.

Alright well then let me see what Superpro has for my F30 335i then. Do you have a link?

[M-terkait]

Originally Posted by ceedawg

Alright well then let me see what Superpro has for my F30 335i then. Do you have a link?

https://superpro.com.au/find/superpr.../cid-999501545

[Lancelot]

Note that the UK site is more specific and lists both RWD and AWD as compatible, e.g.:
https://www.superproeurope.com/part....renceid=127008

If you're worried bushings seem to be the same, even if BMW control arms references seem to differ.

[ceedawg]

Originally Posted by Lancelot

Note that the UK site is more specific and lists both RWD and AWD as compatible, e.g.:
https://www.superproeurope.com/part....renceid=127008

If you're worried bushings seem to be the same, even if BMW control arms references seem to differ.

I wonder if they sell an entire bushing kit like powerflex that would be great. i meant to ask you if powerflex sold the entire bushing kit as well. I never got a chance to call them but perhaps I will this morning.

[Lancelot]

they have a full kit here https://www.superproeurope.com/part....renceid=127007
But really full, subframe bushings, diff bushings, front and rear control arms bushings...

[GP0256]

So I am attempting to put these in today. The old ones came out easy but the new bushings are giving me a fit and will not press in before shooting sideways out of the press. How did you do it? Also, do you press the larger tapered side into the bushing or the smaller tapered side? Thank you for the help

[Lancelot]

I'm really sorry i cannot say, they did it at another place because they didn't have a hydraulic press at the shop so they went to another location and i couldn't see how they did that, next thing i knew they were back with the control arms with new superpro bushings fitted !

[M-terkait]

Originally Posted by GP0256

So I am attempting to put these in today. The old ones came out easy but the new bushings are giving me a fit and will not press in before shooting sideways out of the press. How did you do it? Also, do you press the larger tapered side into the bushing or the smaller tapered side? Thank you for the help

Originally Posted by Lancelot

I'm really sorry i cannot say, they did it at another place because they didn't have a hydraulic press at the shop so they went to another location and i couldn't see how they did that, next thing i knew they were back with the control arms with new superpro bushings fitted !

same here, couldn't see them push it in, they did it in another place.

[GP0256]

Originally Posted by M-terkait

same here, couldn't see them push it in, they did it in another place.

So I figured it out! Put them in the freezer for about 20-30 minutes or more if you have time. Line the smaller end with a ton of red axle grease and push them in with the press. There are 2 sides to the control arm, you want to push them into the side that has a slight taper.

I hope this helps someone in the future as well. I had them shooting across my garage over 20 times trying to get them in, so frustrating. Now it's time for 2 new front tires and an alignment

[ceedawg]

Originally Posted by GP0256

I had them shooting across my garage over 20 times trying to get them in, so frustrating. Now it's time for 2 new front tires and an alignment

Wow!! Glad you got them in though.

[Bee Pee]

Originally Posted by Lancelot

Caster and camber arms.

Initial feedback:
Steering feels so much more precise than with OEM bushings, really interesting change of feel.

Noise/vibrations increase not really noticeable.

Ride however is definitely more harsh, bumps and holes are felt more strongly, i wasn't expecting that since dampers are supposed to take most of that. It's part of the road feel so as always, you can't have your cake and eat it anyway. I can't say it's a big issue, just a change of feel.

Only issue remaining is knocking noises, didn't have them out of the shop after mounting the bushings, they came after the alignment shop did their job, i suspect they didn't tighten the attachment points of the control arms as well.

So overall I'm happy with these, let's see what happens in the next few days...

Hi Lancelot

Did you fit these Spro bushes to yr F8x LCAs/TS or to the original F3x lower arms ?

How much extra front camber did you get before and after Spro bush upgrade?

BP

[Lancelot]

I'm using the standard F30 arms, and right now the bushings have allowed me to adjust camber/caster to be identical left/right at -0d50' camber.

It could be pushed a bit more i believe but the alignment shop (not my usual one :-/) wouldn't hear it because «Â*that's the max allowed in BMW specsÂ*» and it was late and had 3h drive home so left it at that.

[FaRKle!]

Just an FYI for anyone else with xDrive wanting to fit these bushings, don't trust the compatibility on Superpro's site.

For my 2017 xDrive car, the camber adjustable bushing worked, but the caster (radius arm) bushing kit didn't, even though their site says it should. The bushing went into the arm fine, but wouldn't fit into the subframe mounts because it was too long by about 1cm.

[lefthander]

Originally Posted by Lancelot

On knocking noises gone, damper rods were not bolted tightly enough, now no noise at all

Hi lancelot, any knocking sound till now?
Which part is damper rod? I installed and had knocking sound till now.

[N420i]

Hi there Lancelot!

Can I ask where you purchased these? Did you get them at a local shop or over the Internet? I'm asking because I'm located in Europe too as opposed to most members of this forum which are US-based.

And also, muchos €€€? I'm looking into increasing camber and improving steering feel but camber plates are really expensive, apparently very noisy and the M3 LCA mod moves the wheel forward inside the wheelwell, which i'm not too crazy about...

[Lancelot]

Hi!

I got my shop to procure them from superpro, as they now have a UK office it's easier to source in Europe.

Can't remember the price now but was similar to the price online on their website.

As for noise, i still have a bit of noise due to the bushings having run dry, i'm scheduled for a maintenance to add some silicon lube which should resolve the issue, the rest is fine

Hope this helps!

Edit: regarding f80 arms same here, tried them and they ended being a safety threat for the car was swerving severely under crosswinds

I have ordered camber plates from my shop, should be on within two weeks now! I'll keep you guys posted about it

[sspade]

@Lancelot

Please elaborate on the F80 control arm issue. Theres a lot of us planning that mod...

[Lancelot]

I've done so at length in a few other threads, others seem not to have experienced this though.

Others yet also report the steering rack is out of adjustment threading.

All in all that mod is not as innocuous as it seems if you ask me.