OEM M3 Eccentric CAB's vs. THR CAB's
WARNING: THIS IS JUST MY HONEST OPINION
I recently installed OEM M3 eccentric CAB's to replace my THR CAB's and wanted to post my impression.
Upon visual inspection, with both eccentrics of the M3 and THR CAB's lined up, the geometry is different. It appears the THR CAB's offer up more caster than the OEM bushings (by a couple of mm at least). They do NOT look like “M3 geometry”.
THR CAB's (install):
It is advertised that their install is very simple (which it was...on one side). When I first installed the bushings, I did NOT sand down my control arms. One side slid right on and the other side took a little persuasion. Initially there were no popping issues. After a few months it was time to replace my control arms. I reinstalled the bushings (again, not sanding down the paint on the control arms) and immediately had popping on both sides. I removed the paint on both sides and the popping went away. That lasted for a while but one side would continue to “pop” on sharp turns and minor road imperfections.
OEM M3 CAB’s (install):
It was very easy to uninstall the THR CAB’s. The OEM bushings are a little tough to get on (especially if the on heavy lifting you have done in the past couple of years is your calculator). I lubed them up real well and with all my might, I shoved them on.
Comparison:
The THR CAB’s coupled with my suspension (450#F, 600#R) let me feel every road imperfection (which is to be expected with a product like this). Understand that you are replacing a rubber busing with a solid mount. My car turned incredibly well and very precise. Steering felt very direct. I did experience a little bit of under-steer. The OEM M3 CAB’s really smoothed out my ride. Having the e30 as my daily driver, it was a nice to not have my CD player skip over every little bump. The car over-steers a little more now and the steering still feels very solid. There is a noticeable difference between the two. At first, I was use to the direct feeling of the THR CAB’s, which in turn mad the OEM bushings feel a little “bouncy” and soft. After driving with the OEM bushings on my daily route, I no longer feel that soft feel and am very satisfied with the change.
Conclusion:
Both are great products, it just depends on your application. The THR CAB’s were not for me. The made my ride a little too harsh. The M3 bushings, in my eyes, are a good compromise for some one wanting to upgrade their suspension (and cheaper too).
Thank you.
Aaron
WARNING: THIS IS JUST MY HONEST OPINION
I recently installed OEM M3 eccentric CAB's to replace my THR CAB's and wanted to post my impression.
Upon visual inspection, with both eccentrics of the M3 and THR CAB's lined up, the geometry is different. It appears the THR CAB's offer up more caster than the OEM bushings (by a couple of mm at least). They do NOT look like “M3 geometry”.
THR CAB's (install):
It is advertised that their install is very simple (which it was...on one side). When I first installed the bushings, I did NOT sand down my control arms. One side slid right on and the other side took a little persuasion. Initially there were no popping issues. After a few months it was time to replace my control arms. I reinstalled the bushings (again, not sanding down the paint on the control arms) and immediately had popping on both sides. I removed the paint on both sides and the popping went away. That lasted for a while but one side would continue to “pop” on sharp turns and minor road imperfections.
OEM M3 CAB’s (install):
It was very easy to uninstall the THR CAB’s. The OEM bushings are a little tough to get on (especially if the on heavy lifting you have done in the past couple of years is your calculator). I lubed them up real well and with all my might, I shoved them on.
Comparison:
The THR CAB’s coupled with my suspension (450#F, 600#R) let me feel every road imperfection (which is to be expected with a product like this). Understand that you are replacing a rubber busing with a solid mount. My car turned incredibly well and very precise. Steering felt very direct. I did experience a little bit of under-steer. The OEM M3 CAB’s really smoothed out my ride. Having the e30 as my daily driver, it was a nice to not have my CD player skip over every little bump. The car over-steers a little more now and the steering still feels very solid. There is a noticeable difference between the two. At first, I was use to the direct feeling of the THR CAB’s, which in turn mad the OEM bushings feel a little “bouncy” and soft. After driving with the OEM bushings on my daily route, I no longer feel that soft feel and am very satisfied with the change.
Conclusion:
Both are great products, it just depends on your application. The THR CAB’s were not for me. The made my ride a little too harsh. The M3 bushings, in my eyes, are a good compromise for some one wanting to upgrade their suspension (and cheaper too).
Thank you.
Aaron
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