Suspension Upgrade - Front

[///Sniper535]

So I need to get a few things straight:

Thrust Arm Bushings: 750 or M5?
M-Tech Sway Bar: Do I just need to change the bar and bushing for it to fit my 535?

Other than Springs and shocks, what else does the M5 have upgraded?

[bubba966]

M-Tech sway isn't as thick as an M5 sway which isn't as thick as an M5T sway. But yes, just pick which sway you want to put in and get the corresponding bushings for the bar and slap it in.

M5's have different top mounts. Also the rear subframe on M5's is different.

[///Sniper535]

is there a thicker bar than 25MM?

I'm trying to get this sway bar, part# 31352227276.

RealOEM finds that part in the US 540i and EURO M5 3.8 sedan and touring.

[bubba966]

is there a thicker bar than 25MM?

I'm trying to get this sway bar, part# 31352227276.

RealOEM finds that part in the US 540i and EURO M5 3.8 sedan and touring.

Nope, 25mm is as thick as it got. That was the bar that was on the Nurburgring package cars. Being the US 540i M-Sport, Canadian M540i, and the Euro M5 & M5T.

The bar for a regular US 540i is 23mm.

Get the bar, and a pair of 25mm bushings (part # 31352226334) and you should be set to go.

I'd also be looking at picking up the 18mm rear bar (which is the matching bar for the sedans, tourings used 19mm rear bars) and bushings to go with the 25mm front bar. My M-Sport handles beautifully with that factory setup. Wouldn't be as great with a mismatched front/rear bar setup.

[SnakeyesTx]

I opted for the 850 bushings in the thrust arms, which I believe is the same as the 750's as well.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

I opted for the 850 bushings in the thrust arms, which I believe is the same as the 750's as well.

Green insert?

[genphreak]

OEM M5 are the stiffest. 750 seem to come in many OE 'flavours'- one needs to get a good one I suspect as so many el-chepos are around sporting green inserts.

However any problem witin a short time of installation should technically be the installation process- which is seldom followed. I've had them fail and found it hard to blame the shop that fitted them... but it probably was their mistake.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

I only buy the Boge/Sachs bushings.

The rest will crap out real quick.

[///Sniper535]

If M5 bushings are the stiffest and supposedly the best, how come I don't hear about them as much as the 750 bushings? or is it just me?

[Scott C]

If M5 bushings are the stiffest and supposedly the best, how come I don't hear about them as much as the 750 bushings? or is it just me?

I think most people were pushed to the 750 as a reasonable upgrade over stock by the retailers. Once you go M5, you won't go back, they are husky and I don't see how they can fail in the same mode as the 750 or stock.

I never blew through a 750 bushing (my stock were shot at 80K) although I did switch to M5 on my last set of arms.

http://www.bimmernut.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40913&highlight=bushing

Oh yea, if you are doing this to fix the 55mph shimmy? Tighten the collar nut on the column before you spend your hard earned $

Scott

[632 Regal]

No they are different, the 850 ones have no cheater insert.
I opted for the 850 bushings in the thrust arms, which I believe is the same as the 750's as well.