Sway bars, yes or no?

I was browsing tire rack when I came across Eibach sway bar kit, the shipping is reasonable and installation seems super easy. Thing is, I am a conservative driver, would I notice a big difference in handling? Is it all worth it? Opinions are appreciated, thanks guys!

Depending on how you throw your car around, and your current suspension setup, results will vary. Unless you are into high speed turns or want quicker steering, these probably won't do much for you. Mainly they just increase latitudinal stiffness

Ah so I should put $400 into something else? Maybe interior since my interior is fully stock.

If you don't drive hard, you aren't going to notice a real difference in handling.

Originally Posted by 330Cole

Depending on how you throw your car around, and your current suspension setup, results will vary. Unless you are into high speed turns or want quicker steering, these probably won't do much for you. Mainly they just increase latitudinal stiffness

You mean lateral (side to side). The other word you combined with that is longitudinal (forward to back).

Originally Posted by BBBoy323i

Ah so I should put $400 into something else? Maybe interior since my interior is fully stock.

I would do that. What kind of maintenance have you done on your car? $400 can buy a ton of piece of mind.

Originally Posted by WDE46

If you don't drive hard, you aren't going to notice a real difference in handling.



You mean lateral (side to side). The other word you combined with that is longitudinal (forward to back).



I would do that. What kind of maintenance have you done on your car? $400 can buy a ton of piece of mind.

Well my car is well maintained, have over $300 in parts that I'm gonna install over winter break. Mostly need to replace bushings and I'm done. Oh FYI this is going to be a future purchase, along with other mods will have to wait until I replace everything I need to.

They are great I love my h&r's but I do drive hard

Originally Posted by BBBoy323i

Well my car is well maintained, have over $300 in parts that I'm gonna install over winter break. Mostly need to replace bushings and I'm done. Oh FYI this is going to be a future purchase, along with other mods will have to wait until I replace everything I need to.

I would say that you probably won't regret the purchase. Your ride won't suffer noticeably from sway bars, but your handling will be improved if you get the right combination of F/R stiffness. Unfortunately, it's hard to know what you're buying vs what BMW already has installed.

Yeah I'd do it.

If you're 323i doesn't have the Sport Package it will be a Big improvement.
If it does, it will be a nice improvement.

Originally Posted by Alex323Ci

If you're 323i doesn't have the Sport Package it will be a Big improvement.
If it does, it will be a nice improvement.

Yeah I have the sport package, but I feel that my handling could be better, but not willing to spend $2000 on some coil overs and since I already have new struts all around

Originally Posted by BBBoy323i

Yeah I have the sport package, but I feel that my handling could be better, but not willing to spend $2000 on some coil overs and since I already have new struts all around

the 323 had some of the largest swaybars in their Sport Package so that's a plus. While the 323i without the worst. So that's a plus.

cars with coil-overs still have body roll. swaybars control the body roll for the most part.

Originally Posted by Alex323Ci

the 323 had some of the largest swaybars in their Sport Package so that's a plus. While the 323i without the worst. So that's a plus.

cars with coil-overs still have body roll. swaybars control the body roll for the most part.

Oh I see, so I should just keep it stock and spend the money on interior or performance?

Originally Posted by Alex323Ci

the 323 had some of the largest swaybars in their Sport Package so that's a plus. While the 323i without the worst. So that's a plus.

cars with coil-overs still have body roll. swaybars control the body roll for the most part.

Spring stiffness increases roll stiffness and ride stiffness while sway bars only increase roll stiffness (w/ a very small effect on ride stiffness, negligible while not turning). Sway bars have a large effect on the understeer/neutral/oversteer characteristics of a vehicle.

Stiffer front sway bar will decrease oversteer/increase understeer.
Stiffer rear sway bar will increase oversteer/decrease understeer.

Originally Posted by BBBoy323i

Oh I see, so I should just keep it stock and spend the money on interior or performance?

Probably. I don't think you'd regret the sway bars, but you'd appreciate $400 spent elsewhere a little more if you aren't pushing your car close to it's limits.

Originally Posted by Steven747

They are great I love my h&r's but I do drive hard

Right now the Turner site has the package of two sway bars on SALE at a fabulous price!
Normal is $350 and now the pair is $279

If you're ever going to pull the trigger, the time is now.

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-10...y-bar-set.aspx

another point to your modding overall, if i had a 323 i would mainly only look at handling in the performance department. it is a great car but no matter how many NA mods you do it still wont be that fast. for around 400 dollars you would benefit most from suspension and or brakes, minor mods could be afforded. If your into interior modding, you will probably notice the 400 a lot more

I already have new shocks all around, fca + bushings. All new rotors and brake pads all around.