RWD drivers can select from a plethora of aftermarket suspension upgrades, while xDrive owners are limited to rear suspension improvements like M3 control links because our front drive suspension is completely different from the RWD design. It seems reasonable that many / most xDrive owners select this model for utility over handling dynamics.
For the small (but dedicated!) group of xDrive owners who love driving their AWD cars with purpose on the track, there's a new option for upgrading our front suspensions. I'm not aware of any other front suspension upgrades for xDrive (besides poly bushings and ARBs, both questionable moves IMO).
These are standard OEM xDrive front tension arms press-fit with HD sealed spherical bearings. These bearings replace the cute little fluid-filled squishy things that come standard. The OEM bushings isolate the occupants well from NVH, but in so doing leave too much compliance in the system for precision / performance. The idea is to mitigate compliance in the bushing so that the suspension geometry / components can function better. The seals should allow these to be used in a street application without accelerated wear.
What about M3 control links? Even if they fit (they don't), consider their benefits: 1) lower unsprung weight (Al vs steel), 2) less compliant bushings, and 3) wider camber range. In our case, these sealed spherical bearings are less compliant than the rubber M3 version, and the wider camber range is a non-issue if one already has installed camber plates. The only thing we miss is the sexy Al material in the M3 links.
Initial impression is: BIG. They seem robust. These were delivered today and will be installed tomorrow, so no review yet. The benefits described above are 'in theory'. They ought to work, but haven't been confirmed. Yet.
Trying to load pics but no success. Will follow-up with more, later.
For the small (but dedicated!) group of xDrive owners who love driving their AWD cars with purpose on the track, there's a new option for upgrading our front suspensions. I'm not aware of any other front suspension upgrades for xDrive (besides poly bushings and ARBs, both questionable moves IMO).
These are standard OEM xDrive front tension arms press-fit with HD sealed spherical bearings. These bearings replace the cute little fluid-filled squishy things that come standard. The OEM bushings isolate the occupants well from NVH, but in so doing leave too much compliance in the system for precision / performance. The idea is to mitigate compliance in the bushing so that the suspension geometry / components can function better. The seals should allow these to be used in a street application without accelerated wear.
What about M3 control links? Even if they fit (they don't), consider their benefits: 1) lower unsprung weight (Al vs steel), 2) less compliant bushings, and 3) wider camber range. In our case, these sealed spherical bearings are less compliant than the rubber M3 version, and the wider camber range is a non-issue if one already has installed camber plates. The only thing we miss is the sexy Al material in the M3 links.
Initial impression is: BIG. They seem robust. These were delivered today and will be installed tomorrow, so no review yet. The benefits described above are 'in theory'. They ought to work, but haven't been confirmed. Yet.
Trying to load pics but no success. Will follow-up with more, later.
xDrive Front Suspension Upgrade - Finally
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