MOT Advisory

[1doohan]

Can someone in the know tell me exactly what parts are needed to make it handle all cushty and not pull to the left. The joy of buying a car without test driving it.
E86si with M sports suspension not sure if this would cause extra expense???
The car has had the same advisory notice for last 4 MOT's (tight wad previous owner :thumbsdown: )
Nearside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)
Offside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

 

[rally-chris]

I'd start with the front lollipop bushes (probably points 3&4 on the advisory list) - they are a weak point on the E46 based suspension so I'd recommend upgrading to powerflex poly bushes.

Chris

 

[MACK]

As Chris has said above you need to get the Bushes done and with some play in the arm ball joints you really should replace these at the same time. Which means full arms as the ball joint don't come separately. If you don't the play in the ball joints can kill new bushes quickly. Don't use cheap parts for this as cheap bushes are crap and will not last. Either use Oem or something like Meyle HD. You can use poly bushes but they are harsher so split opinion. Some love, some loath but if your looking for a cushty experience as possible I'd stay away from poly.

That said the pulling to the left might not be the bushes and arms, although it won't be helping. Its probably an alignment issue if all the springs/shocks and rear trailing arms are OK or even tyre pressure if you haven't checked them . After doing the arms and front bushes you need an alignment anyway.
When you have it aligned I would go with at least Z4m setting (not to be confused with M Sport) as the standard zed settings arent ideal for decent handling. There is a huge amount of rear camber and the whole lot is set up to encourage understeer. I would also remove the camber pins, which takes all of 3 seconds, to help get a decent amount of camber on the front.

Theres plenty of threads on alignment on here to help you out with this stuff

 

[Buckz]

I'd say get this -;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E46-Z4-E85-E86-SPORT-CONTROL-ARMS-WISHBONE-BUSH-LINK-RODS-MEYLE-HD-A578/191247361555?fits=Plat_Gen%3AE86&epid=1505415173&hash=item2c873b2613:g:LQoAAOSwjVVVpQWA

and replace those parts I refreshed mine(was fine when I bought it but still did it)

 

[ph001]

The ones that wear are no.4 (RTAB - rear trailing arm bushes) and no.3 (front wishbone bushes)....

 

[MACK]

The ones that wear are no.4 (RTAB - rear trailing arm bushes) and no.3 (front wishbone bushes)....
Z4 bushes.jpg

If you want to do the rtab stuff at the rear as well as the front it might be worth your while getting a Bush limiting/shim kit as well. Plenty on ebay etc

 

[1doohan]