Rear Lower Shock Mounting: This can get confusing, so feel free to call before ordering!
The factory E9x/E8x Non-M cars have a "Pin to Pin" style rear shock. This is highly unusual and in the past with other aftermarket dampers Vorshlag has sold, trying to emulate this lead to lots of failures at the lower "pin".
To avoid that failure point, MCS dampers for this chassis are a "Pin" upper and "Eye" lower, with an adapter that bolts into the non-M E90 lower control arm with two bolts. MCS has done this as the "pin to eye" shock layout is much more common, improves strength and allows for better suspension articulation.
There are two ways to install aftermarket rear dampers on these "non-M" E82/E90 cars. Two options shown below:
First up is to convert the non-M cars to the 1M/M3 lower arm shown above and below. This is a common upgrade if your car's racing class and your budget allows for it. These aluminum M3 arms lower rear arms give you more rear camber adjustment and allow for a simple "M3" style "pin-eye" shock, without the 2-bolt billet MCS adapter necessary.
We no longer sell this M3 lower arm as a complete kit, but all of the parts needed are on FCP Euro, shown above - the two aluminum arms, all of the nuts and bolts, the eccentric washers, and the ride height sensor brackets. This package will cost over $1000 to source, but again - it gives you more camber adjustment out back.
The second option is much easier, and that is to use these MCS rear lower adapters, shown above and below. This works with the non-M E82/E90 rear steel lower control arms and is the default style for these cars.
This is a simple lower solution that is less costly than going to M3 style control arms. The MCS adapter just bolts to the lower 2 holes on the factory on-M lower control arm. This is a great solution if your class doesn't allow for the M3 lower arm conversion.
Rear Upper Shock Mounts: Yes, there are even two options for the rear UPPER shock mount, too!
First option is to modify your OEM upper shock mount by drilling it to the correct size for the MCS shock. This can be tough to do without proper tools. The easy option is a rear shock mount from Powerflex which already has the correct insert for aftermarket shocks, and has the added benefit of getting rid of the soft rubber OEM piece.
We sell those Powerflex upper pin mount bushing kits with the proper 12mm size in the BMW E90 suspension section. This is what it looks like, shown above - one piece is above the rear shock tower, and one pieces is below.
The more expensive solution but which we strongly recommend for coilover rear spring arrangement is the Pin-to-eye upper clevis adapter shown above and below.
This more costly solution is only recommended for dedicated race cars where you have a REALLY good reason to go to coilover rear springs + tenders. This upper adapter has a threaded portion that goes above the rear shock tower, and a clevis adapter that goes below. These also require a very different shock arrangement with "eye-to-eye" damper, and the rebound adjuster is now under the rear inner fender, making it harder to access.
Confused? Please feel free to call and talk to our engineers before making any of these choices.
SIGNATURE DELIVERY : Orders over $2400 require signature delivery. Please plan on that when ordering.
