[danb1979]

Originally Posted by boba-fett

Oooshh, that’s looking nice. Good work.

It looks good from 6ft

[danb1979]

After plenty of reading and talking to a few folk as well; I've decided that the Spring 2025 suspension overhaul will be:

New OEM spec arms (where required) and drop links / track rod ends. Probably Powerflex rear subframe inserts as well. I'll be going for ST XTA coilovers with their adjustable top mounts as the icing on the cake.

Decided also that I'm going to get a set of F3x front 340mm Brembo calipers and fit them with OEM 2 piece discs and F8x M3/M4 pads with HEL braided lines.

That should be a decent upgrade to the braking as well as the suspension; to make it a capable fast road car. I may even treat it to a drive down to Anglesey Circuit mid next year

As for wheels; I'll stick with a set of OEM E8x wheels and fit them with Conti Contact Sport 7 tyres probably; but may consider Michelins or Goodyears again too

I'll update when parts have been ordered (want to see if there are any Christmas sales and/or discounts via eBay etc)

[Watsey]

I recommend White Line rear subframe bushes. Inserts ‘may’ be OK, but old bushes are old bushes and they will almost certainly be well beyond their best.

Mine had done the best part of 100K miles and the new bushes made a very noticeable difference. Its more hassle getting them out, but as your mate with the workshop will be working on the car anyway…

[danb1979]

Bimecc 12mm hubcentric spacers and 75mm stud conversion fitted today - all via Mteconline on eBay (used him for years, great reseller)

All threads chased, cleaned throughly and all surfaces wire brushed and cleaned thoroughly with brake cleaner etc

Studs torqued down to 25Nm with a touch of Loctite

You can see how they're sitting from the pics (excuse how filthy the car is); they're just in the arches, no rubbing (gone around our small estate as the roads are horrendous and badly cambered with zero issues; on/off our drive is a steep incline to begin with as well and they'd have bottomed out there if they were going to)

[Watsey]

Perfect. 'To' the arches, but not beyond, with just enough tuck on the rears to avoid the tyres rubbing the arches.

I've never fancied studs. Two ends of a bolt that can potentially come undone, rather than just one with a bolt, but wheel fitting is obviously easier.

[danb1979]

Originally Posted by Watsey

Perfect. 'To' the arches, but not beyond, with just enough tuck on the rears to avoid the tyres rubbing the arches.

I've never fancied studs. Two ends of a bolt that can potentially come undone, rather than just one with a bolt, but wheel fitting is obviously easier.

Studs are a safer option with spacers

They're wound in and torqued down, just like a bolt; but then you've got the nut on the other end, wound down and torqued as well.

So you've 2 forces pulling the wheel onto the hub etc

Never ever had any issues and I've run them for years now; much preferred over longer bolts, which I've seen come undone a few times now on cars that have been run hard/fast (road and track)

[danb1979]

Full wash and then coated with Car Gods Black Diamond