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Rear Subframe

700 views 6 replies 5 participants last post by  tbt 
#1 ·
Can anybody confirm whether or not all E8/E9 rear subframes are the same please?

I'm looking to replace all the rear bushes on my E81 and am considering getting a 2nd hand subframe to refurbish in the process.
 
#3 ·
If you're going to that much trouble, you could buy a rear subframe from a V8 M3 and get a set of nice bushes pre-fitted. There are frequently a couple listed on ebay.
 
#4 ·
marco_polo said:
Double check the part numbers on Realoem, but they should all be the same.
Initial Realoem searches seem to suggest they are indeed the same.

Toed64 said:
If you're going to that much trouble, you could buy a rear subframe from a V8 M3 and get a set of nice bushes pre-fitted. There are frequently a couple listed on ebay.
That is definitely on my radar but most salvage items will need the bushes replacing anyway. In which case I can just pop M3 items into any subframe... I think...
 
#5 ·
DC11 said:
marco_polo said:
Double check the part numbers on Realoem, but they should all be the same.
Initial Realoem searches seem to suggest they are indeed the same.

Toed64 said:
If you're going to that much trouble, you could buy a rear subframe from a V8 M3 and get a set of nice bushes pre-fitted. There are frequently a couple listed on ebay.
That is definitely on my radar but most will salvage items will need the bushes replacing anyway. In which case I can just pop M3 items into any subframe... I think...
Yes you can, but M3 subframe is ally I believe. Not cast.
 
#6 ·
0l0dom0l0 said:
DC11 said:
marco_polo said:
Double check the part numbers on Realoem, but they should all be the same.
Initial Realoem searches seem to suggest they are indeed the same.

Toed64 said:
If you're going to that much trouble, you could buy a rear subframe from a V8 M3 and get a set of nice bushes pre-fitted. There are frequently a couple listed on ebay.
That is definitely on my radar but most will salvage items will need the bushes replacing anyway. In which case I can just pop M3 items into any subframe... I think...
Yes you can, but M3 subframe is ally I believe. Not cast.
I think the front subframe may well be aluminium, but the V8 M3 rear looks like steel:

 
#7 ·
All front subframes are aluminium whether M or non-M (All non-M are actually the same part number!)

The rears subframes are all steel but the M3 one is a much thicker gauge steel and is noticeably heavier.

On my 130i I fitted an M3 subframe for ease as I bought a complete rear end from an M3 so fitted it with all the arms and ARB.
Even though I now have a Quaife I find the M3 ARB still too stiff and it's unweights the inside wheel without too much effort causing slippage.

The most important fact about the swap to M rear subframe if you keep non-M hubs is that neither non-M or M3 toe arms will be compatible due to the M3 subframe toe arm fixing point being further outboard than non-M. The non-M toe arm will be far too long to even install and the stock M3 toe arm will not allow toe to be adjusted far enough in; you would have slight toe out which is not good on the back.

I discovered this the hard way and now use Megan racing adjustable toe arms in M3 fitment.

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