E46 M3 CSL Front Sway bar weight

[maupineda]

I thought some may be interested int the following information.

Today I took on the installation of the E46 M3 CSL Sway bar to my Z4M, I had heard the CSL item was lighter but I did not know how much, nor was I expecting such an interesting delta

31mm bar (CSL) - 4.3kg
27mm bar (M3 Conv & Z4M) - 6.6kg

In my case, I saved 2.3kg

I also bought the brackets, and to my surprise, the CSL brackets are steel whereas the Z4M are aluminum. I also weighed both brackets and they are 100g different in weight for a total of 200g for both brackets. Not a save in my application as I will keep the aluminum items original to my car.

I would not know if the regular M3 items are aluminum or steel. The brackets are identical except for the material, and though I think the steel brackets would take more load, I do not track my car so I shall be fine.

[repoman89]

Thanks for weighing them .. felt substantially lighter to me and good to see it is. The regular M3 has the aluminum brackets. I replaced mine with steel because I do track the car and thought maybe it’d help keep my sway bar mounts intact.

[maupineda]

Now you are making me think twice if I should use steel, 200g more is not much, lol.

[repoman89]

Now you are making me think twice if I should use steel, 200g more is not much, lol.

Does the Z4M have the same Swiss cheese chassis as the E46? I was under the impression that it's stronger and better designed. Don't really know the car that well though.

[eacmen]

I would stay with the aluminum sway bar brackets. Our front sway bar mounting points tend to rip out under load. I would rather have the bracket deform than the mount rip out.


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[maupineda]

our chassis is a lot stiffer, but some designs are very common, I have heard of one or two cases, that was on track/race cars though

[maupineda]

I would stay with the aluminum sway bar brackets. Our front sway bar mounting points tend to rip out under load. I would rather have the bracket deform than the mount rip out.


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Good and interesting point. I agree, as the brackets are cheap

[repoman89]

I would stay with the aluminum sway bar brackets. Our front sway bar mounting points tend to rip out under load. I would rather have the bracket deform than the mount rip out.


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I have reinforcement plates I'm planning to have welded on. Sway bar mounts ripping mid corner on track is a safety issue.

[eacmen]

I have reinforcement plates I'm planning to have welded on. Sway bar mounts ripping mid corner on track is a safety issue.

Agreed its a safety concern. Which is why if you don’t have the reinforcement the aluminum is a better choice to put less strain on the mount. Id rather forces go into aluminum bracket versus weak mount.


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[emthree]

I had a mount rip on me. All I have done is lowering springs with a hotchkis sway bar set to the most aggressive setting. Happened when I was jacking up the car. Anyone have a write up or kit to reinforce the area?

[Tbonem3]

I had a mount rip on me. All I have done is lowering springs with a hotchkis sway bar set to the most aggressive setting. Happened when I was jacking up the car. Anyone have a write up or kit to reinforce the area?

That seems to be the issue. Happened to my friend as well. I haven't bothered reinforcing my area as I run stiffer spring, but my hotchkis is on softest setting (slightly stiffer than stock).

[01SG]

Does the Z4M have the same Swiss cheese chassis as the E46? I was under the impression that it's stronger and better designed. Don't really know the car that well though.

I know the subframe is bolted to the rails, so no failures there. Doubt they changed the sway bar pickup point though.

[0-60motorsports]

Good info, Thanks for posting this