Question on M-tech Swaybars

[BillionPa]

i have a 94 530 auto and am upgrading the suspension.

the nuerburgring M5 touring rear bar (33 55 2 227 416) supposedly fits no questions asked, but the front bar from the standard M5 (31 35 2 226 333) is another story. no where can i find that it fits on the automatic models, which have a specific part number. (540 had a sport model with manual trans and mtech front bar)

anyone know if the bars with fit?

anyone used this combination of bars in their cars?

[Tom Bombadil]

I have the M5 RN Touring rear bar already ordered for my 525iT.
I will not be installing the front, as it appears to be the same diameter anyway.

Should I get it installed soon I will post my impressions.

[mholbrook]

I installed a set of M5 sway bars on a previous 530 I owned. Very easy on the front. In fact, I have had M5 sway bars on the 530 and two 535's including the one I'm driving now.

The front is 25mm. The rear M5 bars come in 18, 19, and 20mm (Nurburgring). I have the 20mm on my present 535 and on the previous 535. On both of the 535's, staggered tire sizes are being run. Running fatter tires on the back will cause more understeer and the 20mm size negates that pretty much. If you are not running staggered tires, you should consider the 18 or at most the 19. I can tell you that the 25/18 is a very nice setup with 235/45-17's.

The rear bar is hard to install no matter what version of E34 you are putting it on. I paid twice and it was worth it.

In my opinion, the M5 bars are an excellent and cost effective way to go. The parts fit, OEM, no problems, and make a huge difference.

[BillionPa]

I can deal with the oversteer untill i get new wheels and tires this summer.

The 530 you had was an auto?

[angrypancake]

stupid question, but theyre still available at the $tealer? how much?

[BillionPa]

max price before shipping should be about $130 per bar

[Kalevera]

Here's a dirty little secret: all E31, E32, and E34 front bars are interchangeable. BUT, some cars require the "bend" to clear the wishbone (V12 cars come to mind).

If I were to do it again, I'd get a euro E32 Mtech bar -- 26mm. $127.00 (probably a little more or less, depending on the dealer) and there are two of them in Ontario. 31 35 2 226 379

best, whit

[DrewZ]

I opted for the Dinan 25mm adjustable front bar that sold for $132 shipped, with bushings included.

But that was back when Dinan had a brain freeze, and decided to sell of a bunch of stuff at a fair price. It works great on a Touring, paired with a similarly-priced 20mm N-ring rear bar.

[mholbrook]

Front and rear M5 bars total cost should be about $300 including bushings and new end links from BMA.

The 530 I had was an auto.

Did not know about the 26mm bar. If I had known, I would have bought the 26mm front and the 20mm rear.

[ericcamaro]

What should be done first sway bars or new lowering springs and Shocks??

[mholbrook]

Sway bars is a lot easier to do than springs and shocks. You can do the front and a shop will probably charge .75 (3/4) hour for the rear install. I'm still running stock springs with original shocks in the rear and Bilstein HD in the front.

[BillionPa]

Well, I ended up getting the "standard" mtech front swaybar and the 19mm m5t rear, as well as Bilstein HD shocks and Eibach springs, as well as new strut towers, pads, bushings etc.

Im doing my brakes, and I figure if im gonna be working down there anyway, I might as well get the suspension done with!

I may also do the front wheel bearing hubs, when I'm get some money, because I just spent all of mine!

[BillionPa]

well the ones i wanted "werent available", so i ended up with the m5t 20mm rear and this front:


I'd get a euro E32 Mtech bar -- 26mm. $127.00 (probably a little more or less, depending on the dealer) and there are two of them in Ontario. 31 35 2 226 379

HOWEVER.... the front bar is 3" wider and 1" farther toward the front of the car and i am wondering if that will be a problem.

[mholbrook]

I like swaybars first because it is an easy install on the front and maybe .5 hours by a mechanic for the rear if you don't like laying on your back for long periods of time fishing a sway bar around.

I'd go with the 20mm rear and look seriously at the E32 thicker bar (26mm). I have had 3 E34 5 series, 530 with 25/18, and 2 535's with 25/20. I'm totally satisfied with the results and the cost which is very reasonable.

You should be able to buy the bars for just over $300-350. Springs and shocks are going to be around $700+ and 3 hours of tech time give or take a little.

[califblue]

copied form Bruno's excellent site:


FYI I did the Sach kit and the M-tech sways myself and was driniking beer in a litte over 4 hours!:p

Sway bars tie the lower suspension components together accross the front and the back, they affect the car oversteer and understeer. Bigger sway bars improve stability while cornering, the best setting is fully soft for the front and hard for the back.

Stock: Front: 23mm - Rear: 15mm.
Sport suspension: Front: 24mm - Rear: 18mm.
M-Technic suspension/US E34 M5 3.6: Front: 31 35 2 226 333 - 25mm Rear: 33 55 2 226 507 - 18mm
Eibach: Front 26mm - Rear: 13mm. (yes, I called them to confirm)
Racing Dynamics: Front 27mm - Rear: 19mm.

The later model Euro 3.8L M5 had a different front bar, that from all reports was stiffer than that provided in the 3.6L models (although it was the same thickness). These were standard on M5 Tourings. Front: 31 35 2 227 276 - 25mm bar from 3.8L M5 & M5 Touring.
The later Euro 3.8L M5's (after 6/94) came with a larger rear bar. These were standard on M5 Tourings. Rear: 33 55 2 227 005 - 19mm.

Also there were Nuerburing (BMW's spelling) rear swaybars for the M5 Touring. These were the biggest rear bars ever offered. These may be the perfect complement to the 27mm bar offered by RD as their front rear ratios are highly biased to understeer and these may improve the situation somewhat. Rear 33 55 2 227 416 - 20mm

31 35 2 227 276 $118.00 (m5t front)
31 55 2 226 334 $6.00 ea. (mounts)
33 55 2 227 005 $108.00 (m5t rear, 19mm)
33 55 2 227 006 $4.00 ea. (mounts)
33 55 2 227 416 $124.00 (N'burgring m5t rear, 20mm)
33 55 2 227 240 $4.00 ea. (mounts)

With a 20-25% parts discount offered by several BMW dealers in Roundel, and considering that rubber bushings are available from the factory (much quieter and transmit less vibration), the factory bars are a pretty decent choice without being prohibitively expensive. However, there is a time factor to getting these items as they have to ship from Germany, those ordering the Euro parts will have to be patient...

[BillionPa]

good info, but that doesnt address the E32 front bars.

[Kalevera]

Here's a dirty little secret: all E31, E32, and E34 front bars are interchangeable. BUT, some cars require the "bend" to clear the wishbone (V12 cars come to mind).

If I were to do it again, I'd get a euro E32 Mtech bar -- 26mm. $127.00 (probably a little more or less, depending on the dealer) and there are two of them in Ontario. 31 35 2 226 379

best, whit
* Sorry, that part number should end in -376, not -379. Never seen/don't know the specifics on the 379 bar, but I don't see why it wouldn't work.

Best, whit

[BillionPa]

the 379 bar is from the V12, and the bend fits like a glove under the transmission.

I am worried that the sway bar link wouldnt clear the strut assembley during turning due to it being 1.5" closer.

Hopefully when i get my struts back i can check it all and do a test before all is lost.