BMW Suspension Parts for BMW E46 M3 S54 (1999-2005)

The OE thrust plate is more than just a belly panel that covers your oil pan; it plays a crucial role in chassis rigidity, impact safety, and handling dynamics. BMW emphasizes that a vehicle should not be driven or moved without the thrust panel in place due to its importance.

Inspired by BMW's upgrade of the front bumper carrier on the E46 M3 from aluminum to Kevlar during their LCI update, we have made a similar enhancement to the thrust plate with our RKP Carbon Front Thrust Panel.

Product Details:

Multi-layered for optimal rigidity and durability 20% stiffer and 50% lighter than the OE panel Reflective exhaust heat shielding included Replaces the large, heavy aluminum OE panel

Control arm bushings play a key role in connecting the wheels to the chassis of the vehicle. Tasked with keeping suspension geometry in check while absorbing noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) factory rubber bushings were engineered to provide a balance of comfort and control. As a factory bushing ages, it becomes brittle and begins to harden. When this happens the bushing will actually shrink and allow excess play in the suspension joint. This is typically felt by a sudden jerk forward after the car comes to a stop and is a leading cause of "sloppy" or "loose" suspension feel. By replacing the bushing with a full polyurethane unit or using a bushing insert, this play is eliminated since the suspension joint is being supported by a much stiffer material that will not harden or shrink over time. Additionally, the inherent stiffness of the urethane material translates body forces much more directly. This means steering inputs from the driver are effectively transferred to the wheels and vital road information is transmitted properly from the wheels to the driver.

Powerflex street bushings are ideal for street driven vehicles and those that see occasional autocross or track time. Need bushings for a dedicated track car? Powerflex Black Series bushings are the ultimate in track and race bushings. Featuring 95A durometer polyurethane, Black Series bushings are 25% stiffer than street bushings. Engineered to perform, Powerflex performance polyurethane control arm bushings offer a supreme level of control, while still providing enough comfort for the street, with advanced polyurethane that reduces NVH that often accompanies lesser bushings. Expect improved steering feel, turn in, more responsive handling and overall improved chassis composure with Powerflex performance polyurethane control arm bushings.

Poweflex is a leading manufacturer of aftermarket suspension bushings. Using state of the art design and manufacturing, all replacement bushings are engineered to out-perform and out-last the ones that came in the car. Each line of bushings is meticulously tested and then re-tested to ensure perfect fitment and enduring quality through the life of the vehicle. A full lifetime warranty backs every one of their products and demonstrates the level of confidence and commitment Powerflex has to their customers. 

Exposure to the elements and stress/pressure can lead to failing and splitting subframe bushings. Ensure your subframe is mounted perfectly steady to prevent vibrations, knocks, suspension issues, and potential damage to the body of the vehicle or suspension components.

As a leading source of high performance BMW parts and accessories since 1993, we at Turner Motorsport are honored to be the go-to supplier for tens of thousands of enthusiasts the world over. With over two decades of parts, service, and racing experience under our belt, we provide only quality performance and replacement parts.  All of our performance parts are those we would (and do!) install and run on our own cars, as well as replacement parts that are Genuine BMW or from OEM manufacturers. We only offer parts we know you can trust to perform!

KONl Sport struts and shocks are the industry leader for user adjustable damping for daily drivers to weekend warriors. KONl Sport's familiar yellow color has for decades meant superior motion control and adjustability for the discerning driving enthusiast.

• Big handling improvements
• Reasonable ride quality
• Re-buildable for custom vehicle setups
• Best KONl shock for all lowering springs
• Lifetime Warranty

Activate your Koni Rebate!

This product fits the following BMWs:
E46 M3

KONl Sport struts and shocks are the industry leader for user adjustable damping for daily drivers to weekend warriors. KONl Sport's familiar yellow color has for decades meant superior motion control and adjustability for the discerning driving enthusiast.
 

• Big handling improvements
• Reasonable ride quality
• Re-buildable for custom vehicle setups
• Best KONl shock for all lowering springs
• Lifetime Warranty​

Activate your Koni Rebate!

This item fits the following BMWs:
2001-2006 E46 BMW M3

Want the best performance option in shock tower mounts? IRP has created their pillow-ball rear shock mounts for just this need. These rear shock mounts are designed for use on the track and racing. This set of mounts will help your rear shocks perform the best they can in all conditions. The advantage to using a mount with spherical bearing is that it allows the shock to freely move off axis without side loading the shock shaft like rubber or polyurethane mounts do. Side loading a shock increases stiction and wear which decreases its efficiency. Because these are mounts without an isolator (rubber or polyurethane) to dampen road noise and vibrations we do not recommend them for street cars.

The bearing sleeve and poly bushing are built to work with all stock style shocks such as Bilstein and H&R coilover and suspension kits.

Fits the following BMW chassis:
E36 BMW All Submodels except for 318ti
E46 BMW All Submodels
E30 BMW All Submodels
E36 Z3 BMW All Submodels
E85/E86 Z4 BMW All Submodels

This package allows you to build your own rear bushing package to cover the parts you want to replace. As these cars age, they require a number of suspension bushings to be replaced. Bushing replacement not only keeps the car in its top form, it also makes the car safer. Depending on the work, it may be logical to replace all of the bushings in the rear suspension (there are 19 total). This is especially true if you are pulling the subframe out to do the floor reinforcement or if you're doing a diff install. Turner Motorsport is a big believer in using rubber bushings for street cars (with the exception of solid subframe mounts, see further below). Urethanes, Delrin, or aluminum are generally good for reducing compliance and limiting deflection - attributes that don't really work well on roads filled with potholes, railroad crossings, cracks, and expansion joints. The rubber bushings maintain the factory ride/handling traits that won the M3 praise all over the world. Every bushing will need maintenance or replacement at some point and rubber has proven to last the longest and need less maintenance than anything else, even urethane. And unless competitive driving is your goal, the harder materials are only a gimmick.

Any major overhaul of the rear suspension should include new subframe mounts. The worn rubber mounts contribute to rear subframe-floor failure when the deflection in the mount is transferred to the chassis. Rubber mounts are only OK for street cars that don't see aggressive driving, autocross, or track use. For any enthusiastic driving, we strongly recommend our solid aluminum subframe mounts even on the street. They have zero deflection and will not contribute to rear floor failures. And if you leave rubber in the rest of the suspension your ride comfort will not suffer.

Individual Item Descriptions:

• Trailing Arm Bushings and Limiters (33322228153 and TSU9990001) - our OEM rubber replacement trailing arm bushings (RTABs) are a perfect fit and help maintain rear toe alignment. The Limiters prevent premature bushing wear.
• Rear Inner Control Arm Bushings (upper 33321092247 and lower 33326770824) - new stock inner rubber bushings for the upper spring arm and the lower camber arm. These do not wear out very quickly but should be replaced as a 'While you're in there...' job.
• Rear Outer Control Arm Bushings (upper and lower) (33326775551) - new stock outer ball joints for the upper spring arm and the lower camber arm. These are the standard ball joint design and last a very long time. Check for play with a pry bar and replace as needed.
• Rear Shock Mounts - Choose from several types of RSM upgrades. If your mounts have not been replaced in the last 40,000 miles, now is the perfect time. Skip this option if you recently replaced mounts or already have an upgraded mount.
• Differential mounts (33172282484 and 33112282482) - Now is a great time to replace the front rubber-isolated mount. This is another low-wear mount but it can be changed easily, and is a low cost item. The rear mounts are in the aluminum differential cover and BMW only sells them with it. Solid diff mounts are streetable with only a minimal increase in NVH.
• Rear subframe mounts (33312283573, 33312283574, and 33312283419 x 2) - The heart of the rear suspension, the subframe (or carrier) mounts located the entire rear suspension to the car. There are four mounts in total and bolt up into the rear floor. Worn subframe mounts are one of the leading contributors to rear floor-subframe failure. As the mounts flex, so does the sheetmetal of the chassis, which will fatigue the sheetmetal and crack the spot welds. Therefore, replacement of the subframe mounts is critical and a must when doing the subframe reinforcement or repair. Solid aluminum mounts are streetable with no increase in NVH.

This item fits the following BMWs:
2001-2006 E46 BMW M3 M3 CSL

Eliminate the most common sources of suspension slop with our all new Turner Suspension Refresh Kits that feature only OEM parts! We do not include any "cheap parts" in our refresh kits to ensure long-lasting reliability and noise-free suspension.

This Level 3 kit replaces:

Control Arms & Bushings
Powerflex Performance Polyurethane Control Arm Bushings
Outer Tie Rods
Sway Bar End Links
Upper Strut Mounts & Reinforcement Plates
New Hardware