Rear shock mounts

[Skafrog]

Hey, I got a theoretical question.
I know that whenever you lower your car on sport suspension, it causes the rear shock mounts to be under more stress, and the often break.
The question is, would installing a rear strut bar help out that situation by linking the two sides together?

[EVOIIIM3]

Nope, the RSM break under stock suspension also.

A rear shock brace does nothing on the E30, our towers only see up and down loads, not side loads.

What will help is getting the E46 M3 cab rear mounts, or the Ground Control ones, then get some Z3 rings to install on the top to help distribute the pressure over the whole mount.

[Jon325i]

What will help is getting the E46 M3 cab rear mounts, or the Ground Control ones, then get some Z3 rings to install on the top to help distribute the pressure over the whole mount.

I have E36 M3 Cabrio RSMs (virtually identical to the E46 counterpart) with the Z3 reinforcement plates and its held up quite well. Only mistake I made was I purchased these items from my local stealer. Next time I'll seek a cheaper alternative.

Jon

[MattM20]

the rear strut brace will help absorb impact heading for the shock mounts, since a good deal of force is on rebound (pulling down on the shock tower). which is also the purpose of the Z3 reinforcement plates.

[Jand3rson]

Bumping a WAY old thread...

I have E36 M3 Cabrio RSMs (virtually identical to the E46 counterpart) with the Z3 reinforcement plates and its held up quite well. Only mistake I made was I purchased these items from my local stealer. Next time I'll seek a cheaper alternative.

I'm looking to buy the E46 M3 rear shock mounts and Z3 plates for my car here pretty soon, where's the best place to get them from? BMA doesn't list the E46 M3 cabrio. Are the coupe RSM's the same as the cabrio?

[AlpineIS]

It appears they are the same

Coupe:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BL93&mospid=47714&btnr=33_1025&hg=33&fg=45

Vert:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BR93&mospid=47708&btnr=33_0841&hg=33&fg=45

[matt]

And to correct a misconception in the first post... lowering the suspension doesn't have anything to do with how quickly the RSMs break (unless the shocks bottom out), but stiffer shocks do.

[ptownTSI]

should i get the Z3 rings if i put the repair shop (JTD) mounts on?