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front lower wishbone bushes (lollipops)

S

sk93

Lifer
Nottingham
I need to replace mine earlier than I had expected, so looking for a stop-gap replacement.

I'm going to be replacing all the bushes with poly ones come the summer (August time), and I picked up an advisory during the last MOT for these specific bushes having significant play (but not a failure, yet).
However, they're getting progressively worse, to the point where I'm starting to not trust the car either in a straight line, or a corner.

so.. I need to replace them this month.

Now, I'm not looking to spend a fortune on them, as like I say, I'm planning on replacing everything come the summer, and ideally, I don't want to replace just these with poly versions right now, as I frankly don't really have the cash available in my "fun bank" currently for anything over £60 (spent it all on the roof motor :P).

I checked ECP, but they seem massively overpriced when compared to some stuff available on ebay.

To that end, can someone point me in the direction of some "this will do" links?

(also, I'd MUCH prefer it if they came already mounted in the frames, as I can then clean up the old frames, mount the poly bushes (once purchased), ready to be installed in the summer, all at my leasure - plus, its frickin freezing outside, so the less time spent under the car the better right now!)

final note.. i've heard mention there's two sizes?
 
Dude, this really seems like a massive false economy to me. I got mine (lollipops with pre-installed powerflex bushes) for £30 as they were "used for a week" items from eBay, but you can get poly bushes brand new for £50 and pay a garage a few quid to press the old ones out and the new ones in.

But, if you really insist then you need 66mm ones and the cheapo ones from ECP are normally quite competitive iirc. It's the lollipops themselves that add the cost, hence I think you are better off just doing this once.

Remember E46 bushes are exactly the same, sometimes sellers on eBay advertise them as E46 only so you may get a few more options if you don't search for Z4 bushes.
 
ive currently got some powerflex bushes already in lollipops ready to fit at the weekend. there were 2 different sizes available.... 60mm and 66mm (mine were the 66mm, i hope!!)

your budget is £60.... think i got my powerflex poly bushes in lollipops for £89...... but over your budget but once fitted you wont need to replace again in the summer full stop (and you might even be able to get a few quid for your empty lollipops)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161213234286?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

hope this helps
 
Stratts said:
Dude, this really seems like a massive false economy to me. I got mine (lollipops with pre-installed powerflex bushes) for £30 as they were "used for a week" items from eBay, but you can get poly bushes brand new for £50 and pay a garage a few quid to press the old ones out and the new ones in.

But, if you really insist then you need 66mm ones and the cheapo ones from ECP are normally quite competitive iirc. It's the lollipops themselves that add the cost, hence I think you are better off just doing this once.

Remember E46 bushes are exactly the same, sometimes sellers on eBay advertise them as E46 only so you may get a few more options if you don't search for Z4 bushes.
Click to expand...
I get what your saying, and it may sound a bit false economy, .. but then I have seen a couple items on ebay for £17..
now, I'm happy to "lose" £17 for six months.. wheras loosing £89 seems a bit.. meh.
if it works out too much, I'll either "just deal with it" and not drive the car for fun.. or I'll reconsider other priorities.

but like I say, ideally the cheaper the better as it's for such a short time.
 
for reference, these are what I'll be buying summertime... which are only a tenner more than the OE-spec ones currently available from ECP :/

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161213234286?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&clk_rvr_id=773801900860&rmvSB=true
 
Those poly bushes are crap, unless you using it a a track only car I wouldn't waste your money.
Just fit quality aftermarket or genuine, your wishbones are solidly mounted at two points, the subframe and the bottom ball joint, if you mount the 3rd point solid with poly bushes you loose compliance and cause wear on the other ball joints.
I tried these bushes once on an e36 and they lasted 2 weeks before I removed them, don't waste your money.
 
mr nurburgring said:
Those poly bushes are crap, unless you using it a a track only car I wouldn't waste your money.
Just fit quality aftermarket or genuine, your wishbones are solidly mounted at two points, the subframe and the bottom ball joint, if you mount the 3rd point solid with poly bushes you loose compliance and cause wear on the other ball joints.
I tried these bushes once on an e36 and they lasted 2 weeks before I removed them, don't waste your money.
Click to expand...

Couldn't disagree more, i have just had Lollipop polybushes fitted to mine and they are great, no negatives IMO and my car is a daily driver as well!

I would be getting the polybushes now SK93, its a false economy otherwise, the polybushes will last the life of the car so there is no need to replace them again. Its up to you but save yourself the cash and fitting hassle and just do polybushes now :)
 
hopz121 said:
mr nurburgring said:
Those poly bushes are crap, unless you using it a a track only car I wouldn't waste your money.
Just fit quality aftermarket or genuine, your wishbones are solidly mounted at two points, the subframe and the bottom ball joint, if you mount the 3rd point solid with poly bushes you loose compliance and cause wear on the other ball joints.
I tried these bushes once on an e36 and they lasted 2 weeks before I removed them, don't waste your money.
Click to expand...

Couldn't disagree more, i have just had Lollipop polybushes fitted to mine and they are great, no negatives IMO and my car is a daily driver as well!

I would be getting the polybushes now SK93, its a false economy otherwise, the polybushes will last the life of the car so there is no need to replace them again. Its up to you but save yourself the cash and fitting hassle and just do polybushes now :)
Click to expand...

Your right you will never have to replace the poly bushes, but your ball joints will be shagged, Thus having to have new arms and new poly bushes as you will probably ruin them taking them off.
 
Poly bushes don't ruin the balljoints at all.

Your bad experience doesn't equate to a proven issue, I know many people don't like the poly because of the harsh ride they can give (not apparent on the Z) but to suggest that in doing so will mean you need new arms etc is just wrong.

Each to their own, but thousands of people have them without issue. I've had them on four cars and never had an issue.
 
The suspension design on the z4 has been around for 30 years, it was designed that way because it works best.
The lolly pop push was designed to have a small amount of movement to releive stresses on the other components and give a smooth ride.
If you mount the arm in a solid bush and use it on our roads what components are going to be taking up the stress? The ball joints, putting extra load on these will cause them to wear out prematurely.

There is no getting away from that fact either, the ball joints will wear out quicker.£££ a lot more than the bushes.

Most people put poly bushes in when they have worn out oem bushes and rave about the handling been transformed ect, but oem bushes will give the same affect but a better ride.

The op is not building a track car to be used on smooth circuits so solidly mounting these arms in poly bushes makes no sense and it's not something I would recommend.

It's up to the op to make up his mind I'm just giving my advice after many years of building track cars and maintaining my own BMW's.
 
Are the Meyle HD items any good?

Also - does anyone know if it's just a standard E46 part, or a certain model dependant?
 
sk93 said:
so.. no links then?
Click to expand...

What links are you looking for SK93?

What are you going to choose? Meyle aren’t cheap and cheerful which is what i thought you were after?
 
exactly what I asked for lol...

links to some cheap and cheerful lolipops with frames.

I can find loads on ebay, but they NEVER seem to state if they include the frames or not (some say they dont, which is great, but not what I want).

Kinda hoping someone has found a cheap gem and would be so kind to share :thumbsup:
 
Oh ok mate, no sorry can’t help you then you may have to risk it!

Most people go Meyle (HD) or Lemforder (OEM) or Polybushes

You are going to be the guinea pig in this I’m afraid as i don’t think anyone else has looked for cheap ones as it’s a false economy (for most) and they stick with what people have suggested.
 
Thing is, I just don't agree it's a false economy for me.

IF I can spent £17-£20 and drive the car for 6 more months, then I don't have to spend money I haven't allocated for, on polybushes.
I don't have to spend an age farting around trying to get the wishbone into the poly bush whilst freezing my chap off.
I get a set of spare frames I can piss around with for a couple of months.
I also get a spare set to switch back to if I actually really hate the poly bushes.

Calling £15-20 a false economy is a bit.. well.. scrooge imo.
You loose more than that just sitting in the drivers seat sometimes!


So, switching back - average price for Meyle or Lemforder (not ECP prices, as I've checked there :P)
 
sk93 said:
Thing is, I just don't agree it's a false economy for me.

IF I can spent £17-£20 and drive the car for 6 more months, then I don't have to spend money I haven't allocated for, on polybushes.
I don't have to spend an age farting around trying to get the wishbone into the poly bush whilst freezing my chap off.
I get a set of spare frames I can piss around with for a couple of months.
I also get a spare set to switch back to if I actually really hate the poly bushes.

Calling £15-20 a false economy is a bit.. well.. scrooge imo.
You loose more than that just sitting in the drivers seat sometimes!


So, switching back - average price for Meyle or Lemforder (not ECP prices, as I've checked there :P)
Click to expand...


That wasnt a dig at you SK93 you have your reasons which is fair enough.

£48.36 Meyle

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E46-FRONT-WISHBONE-BUSH-CONTROL-ARM-MEYLE-HD-C696-/220749240232?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Plat_Gen%3AE46&hash=item3365ae17a8

£50.49 lemforder

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E46-318Ci-320Ci-323Ci-325Ci-330Ci-MSPORT-LOWER-WISHBONE-ARM-BUSH-LEMFORDER-/301062675415?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Plat_Gen%3AE46&hash=item4618bbdbd7
 
These come pressed and are cheap but I've heard they're pretty crap. Will they last 6 months? I have no idea.

http://www.eurocarparts.com/mobile/ecp/c/BMW_Z4+Coupe_3.0_2006/p/car-parts/suspension-and-steering/suspension/suspension-bushes/?618110298&1&8d12126fc65754edb632e9ad2718ca66db080d3f&000437
 
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