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Thread: GC RSM vs. E46 RSM w/ Z3 Reinforcement

  1. #1
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    GC RSM vs. E46 RSM w/ Z3 Reinforcement

    Here is the dillema:

    I am going to replace the rsm's when I put the c/o's that are sitting in my room into my car. Now I can order the GC units and pay out of my pocket to have them installed or I can go through my family BMW specialist www.motorworkswest.com and have my parents pay for the RSM at the same time as they pay for my regular servicing.

    The reason I have to pick is because my family's specialist only installs OEM parts or dinan parts.

    Is it worth it to pay the extra $, not so sure how much but probably like $200 atleast to have the GC units installed or is it okay to go with the E46 with Z3 plates? ($200 isnt by any means negligible to me and if the 2 RSM's are even comparable I will take the cheaper route.

    -Richard
    915whp '98 M3 Sedan /// 37k Mile '95 M3

  2. #2
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    GC's are lifetime but if the other one is free, go for it. Then like 50k miles down the road, have your parents pay for another set of new e46 rsm's. =)
    What it used to look like

  3. #3
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    I say that if you have the space to do it, get the GC RSMs and install them yourself. Then you get the added benefits of learning a little more about the car and feeling good about the fact that you did it yourself when you're driving a perfectly functioning M3.

  4. #4
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    You should be fine w/ e46 plus plates, but what ever you do you should install them yourself.
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  5. #5
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    Get the GC's and install them yourself, its so easy.
    Sean

  6. #6
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    Not worth $200 to have someone install.
    Provided you can access the necessary tools. Sockets and box wrenches: 13mm, 17mm, 18mm (for lower shock mount)
    Torque wrench (always spec when you can)
    What is the diam of the rear shock shaft?
    10 mm stock I think, depending on brand of coilovers you might need to enlarge bore of GC bushings and top dish washer which comes off the old RSM and reused.

    Overall, easy DIY.
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  7. #7
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    motorworkswest is a rip off i know several people who go there and have gotten ripped off.
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  8. #8
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    Originally posted by rmani
    motorworkswest is a rip off
    I dont deny that. My father (the one who pays for my maintenance) is the one who trusts Dave implicitly. I havent found another shop around that does maintenance any cheaper in Northern Jersey so for maintenance it goes to MWW.

    I thought I had found a winner in Autosport Performance but they are even more of a rip-off, god it makes me mad to think of how much they charged to do one of my installs.

    I have decided to do the install of my suspension including: gc co's, gc rsm's, rtabs w/ shims, and the front strut plate that turner offers by myself but with the help of Ben Liaw from Rogue.

    -Richard
    915whp '98 M3 Sedan /// 37k Mile '95 M3

  9. #9
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    yeah that's cool man if your father trusts him you gotta go with what he wants.
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  10. #10
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    The posts that say do the work yourself are right on the money. This is a very easy installation, and with the money you save on the install you can get one of those excellent click-type torque wrenches from sears ($89).

    (That kind of quality torque wrench is one of the best investments I've made on my M3. (Considering that improperly torqueing wheels when you mount them can lead to a wobble, this tool comes in very handy even with my basic mechanical ability.)

    I went with the cheap Z3/E46 approach. From what I saw the key to the success of RSM reinforcement is the body-sheet-metal protection you get from distributing the rebound force over a larger area. In other words, the Z3 plate or the plate on the GC RSM is all of the magic of a RSM, as far as I can see.

    In summary, your RSM problem can be a $140 job real easy: E46, Z3 and a shiny new Torque wrench. (assuming you already have a floor jack and some of those $6.00 collapsable wheel chocks that Sears sells.)

    Good luck.
    Johno
    -- 2003 e46 M3
    -- 2018 e90 M5
    -- Warm memories of 99 M3 w/ Eurosport Twin Screw, 2007 335i, 1970 Cutlass, 1989 328is, 1990 328i, 2012 S4, 2018 S4


  11. #11
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    there was a thread on this about a month ago. there was a side-by-side comparison and it was showen that GC RSM's are beefier.

  12. #12
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    Yep, the GC plate that protects the sheet metal is slightly larger, at least. This would distribute force over a larger area. There may be some other advantages.

    I surmised that the Z3 plate is adequate and less expensive.

    If the Z3 plate doesn't protect from rebound damage, then I found myself unsure if another square inch or whatever would help much.

    Another factor to consider is the design of the rubber damper in the mount itself. It's easy to imagine the E46 mount being improved upon in terms of resistance to damage, but I don't recall whether that got addressed in the previous comparison.

    Can the shock be removed from the GC mount without going back into the trunk? I seem to remember something about that. If that's the case, it would make the CG mount a strong consideraztion vs. E46, especially for guys with SA konis who want the convenience of adjusting without dissecting the trunk.
    Johno
    -- 2003 e46 M3
    -- 2018 e90 M5
    -- Warm memories of 99 M3 w/ Eurosport Twin Screw, 2007 335i, 1970 Cutlass, 1989 328is, 1990 328i, 2012 S4, 2018 S4


  13. #13
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    I got the BavAuto RSM's.. They were a good upgrade from the stock rubber crap. Very affordable too.
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  14. #14
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    I would definately go with the E46 RSMs with Z3 plates since they'd be free for you. Save yourself $80

  15. #15
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    Re: GC RSM vs. E46 RSM w/ Z3 Reinforcement

    Originally posted by 95RogueM3
    Here is the dillema:

    I am going to replace the rsm's when I put the c/o's that are sitting in my room into my car. Now I can order the GC units and pay out of my pocket to have them installed or I can go through my family BMW specialist
    The reason I have to pick is because my family's specialist only installs OEM parts or dinan parts.

    Richard, what you say doesn't make any sense.

    If you are going to install c/o's, you'll essentially be removing the RSMs anyway (ie, you'll have to remove the trunk lining to get access to the top shock bolts for shock removal, and RSM replacement takes an extra few milliseconds at that point). Accordingly, RSM replacement should not be a cost adder to c/o installation.

    And, since no coilovers are OE or Dinan, I'm assuming you aren't going to your Dad's trusted shop anyway.

    Finally, you didn't say which c/o's you are getting. Depending on the configuration, a nice collateral benefit of the GC mounts is being able to remove the rear shocks through the wheel well instead of tearing up you trunk. This is nice for adjustments in the case of non-externally adjustable rear shocks.
    In the slow lane

  16. #16
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    Originally posted by Johno
    Can the shock be removed from the GC mount without going back into the trunk? I seem to remember something about that. If that's the case, it would make the CG mount a strong consideraztion vs. E46, especially for guys with SA konis who want the convenience of adjusting without dissecting the trunk.

    Yes they can, from below.. Also, I recently went from the e46 rsms with z4 plates with about 15k miles with H&R Coilovers to the GC RSMs.. the e46 ones appeared to be in pristine condition.. However, with a stiffer suspension like yours, I'd probably go straight for the GC setup..

    Sachin
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  17. #17
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    thanks guys..I might as well plunk down the $80 for the GC RSM if there isnt any added labor cost involved.

    THanks.

    -Richard
    915whp '98 M3 Sedan /// 37k Mile '95 M3

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