First of all, I would like to give a huge thank you to Mikeand David at Collins Automotive down here in Houston, Texas for installing myM3 suspension bits and the DEFIVfab Differential Lockdown Kit.
This project turned out to be a lot more difficult and timeconsuming than originally thought, but Mike, kept his word and only chargedwhat was originally quoted and agreed on.
Mike also kept me updated on the progress of my car and wentabove and beyond when we ran into an issue with the lockdown kit, which I willfurther discuss below. He even postponeda family vacation to make sure the Lockdown Kit was installed properly. I assured him I did not need my car for theweekend, but he insisted that he stay until the job was completed. Great guy!
Parts:
Front Control Arm (Wishbone) Left - 311022283577
Front Control Arm (Wishbone) Right - 311022283578
Front Tension Struts w/ Bushings Left - 31102283575
Front Tension Struts w/ Bushings Right - 31102283576
Front Regulating Rod for Headlights 37142283867
Rear Subframe Bushings Front- 33312283382 x 2
Rear Subframe Bushings Rear- 33312283383 x 2
Rear Guide Rod Left- 33322283547
Rear Guide Rod Right- 33322283548
Rear Wishbone Left- 33322283545
Rear Wishbone Right- 33322283546
DEFIVfab 335 Differential Lockdown Kit
Other Suspension/Mods:
KW v2
UUC Sway Bars
Quaife 3.46 LSD
HPF Stage 2 Clutch
Toyo Proxies TQ 275x40x17 and Nitto NT555 245x45x17
Rear Seat Delete
M3 Suspension BitsReview:
All I can say is WOW. My car feels completely different now. Everything feels tighter and stiffer. (Thats what she said). The car feels more planted to the road and morepredictable. A comparable feeling would be driving a stock E92 M3...lol.
Here are some pictures that were taken during the install:
![Click here to enlarge]()
Old Suspension Bits
![Click here to enlarge]()
Front Comparison
![Click here to enlarge]()
Front Installed
![Click here to enlarge]()
Subframe Bushing Installed
DEFIVfab DifferentialLockdown Kit Installation:
The kit itself is well made and sexy. However, be warned, it is NOT a walk in thepark install and will require a lift and patience.
When Rick says it is supposed to be a tight fit, he meansit. I was told that once the bushingswere installed, the differential had to be wedged into place, leaving it withabsolutely no room to move.
Simply getting the bushings and differential in place isjust the beginning of the install process. I was told that it took almost an hour each to get the bolts that securethe differential in place.
Unfortunately, being a part of the first pre-order group, afew of us ran into an issue with one of the bolts being too short. Rick hasnt been able to determine whichvehicles come with the shorter bolt, but is going to include a longer bolt in allof his kits going forward. (BMW p/n07119914854 M14x1.5x130mm).
Mike desperately searched around town for a comparablebolt. We werent able to source onelocally, so Mike ordered one from BMW and had it shipped overnight.
Installation tip: Getthe long bolt on the differential cover in place first and then attempt the twosmaller ones.
Once Mike removed the bolt that was too short, he had toremove the other two bolts to get the new long bolt in.
Rick was very helpful through this entire installation process. He even gave us his cell # incase myinstaller had any questions during the installation. Rick did everything he could to help sourceus a bolt and even offered to reimburse the costs.
Overall, Im very impressed with Ricks product and hissupport after sale.
Driving Impressions:
There is a noticeable whine from the differential whenever Imoff the throttle. It happens at all RPMranges. Its most likely louder in mycar since I dont have rear seats. Ricksuggested installing a Dynamat standard door kit to alleviate the noise, but addingweight is against my religion and the sound doesnt bother me.
Ive never experienced wheel hop on the streets, so I donthave a basis to determine whether this has gotten rid of any wheel hop on thestreet or not. That being said, I didntget any wheel hop on the street when while dropping the clutch at 2-3k. David said there was a little on the firstlaunch, but I didnt feel it. (The wheelhop I have experienced prior to installing this kit was very noticeable andmade the entire rear end shake violently.)
Ill be going to the track in about 2-3 weeks to do moretesting. Till then, here are somepictures that were taken during the install.
Here are some pictures of the DEFIVfab Differential LockdownKit Install:
![Click here to enlarge]()
![Click here to enlarge]()
![Click here to enlarge]()
This project turned out to be a lot more difficult and timeconsuming than originally thought, but Mike, kept his word and only chargedwhat was originally quoted and agreed on.
Mike also kept me updated on the progress of my car and wentabove and beyond when we ran into an issue with the lockdown kit, which I willfurther discuss below. He even postponeda family vacation to make sure the Lockdown Kit was installed properly. I assured him I did not need my car for theweekend, but he insisted that he stay until the job was completed. Great guy!
Parts:
Front Control Arm (Wishbone) Left - 311022283577
Front Control Arm (Wishbone) Right - 311022283578
Front Tension Struts w/ Bushings Left - 31102283575
Front Tension Struts w/ Bushings Right - 31102283576
Front Regulating Rod for Headlights 37142283867
Rear Subframe Bushings Front- 33312283382 x 2
Rear Subframe Bushings Rear- 33312283383 x 2
Rear Guide Rod Left- 33322283547
Rear Guide Rod Right- 33322283548
Rear Wishbone Left- 33322283545
Rear Wishbone Right- 33322283546
DEFIVfab 335 Differential Lockdown Kit
Other Suspension/Mods:
KW v2
UUC Sway Bars
Quaife 3.46 LSD
HPF Stage 2 Clutch
Toyo Proxies TQ 275x40x17 and Nitto NT555 245x45x17
Rear Seat Delete
M3 Suspension BitsReview:
All I can say is WOW. My car feels completely different now. Everything feels tighter and stiffer. (Thats what she said). The car feels more planted to the road and morepredictable. A comparable feeling would be driving a stock E92 M3...lol.
Here are some pictures that were taken during the install:
Old Suspension Bits
Front Comparison
Front Installed
Subframe Bushing Installed
DEFIVfab DifferentialLockdown Kit Installation:
The kit itself is well made and sexy. However, be warned, it is NOT a walk in thepark install and will require a lift and patience.
When Rick says it is supposed to be a tight fit, he meansit. I was told that once the bushingswere installed, the differential had to be wedged into place, leaving it withabsolutely no room to move.
Simply getting the bushings and differential in place isjust the beginning of the install process. I was told that it took almost an hour each to get the bolts that securethe differential in place.
Unfortunately, being a part of the first pre-order group, afew of us ran into an issue with one of the bolts being too short. Rick hasnt been able to determine whichvehicles come with the shorter bolt, but is going to include a longer bolt in allof his kits going forward. (BMW p/n07119914854 M14x1.5x130mm).
Mike desperately searched around town for a comparablebolt. We werent able to source onelocally, so Mike ordered one from BMW and had it shipped overnight.
Installation tip: Getthe long bolt on the differential cover in place first and then attempt the twosmaller ones.
Once Mike removed the bolt that was too short, he had toremove the other two bolts to get the new long bolt in.
Rick was very helpful through this entire installation process. He even gave us his cell # incase myinstaller had any questions during the installation. Rick did everything he could to help sourceus a bolt and even offered to reimburse the costs.
Overall, Im very impressed with Ricks product and hissupport after sale.
Driving Impressions:
There is a noticeable whine from the differential whenever Imoff the throttle. It happens at all RPMranges. Its most likely louder in mycar since I dont have rear seats. Ricksuggested installing a Dynamat standard door kit to alleviate the noise, but addingweight is against my religion and the sound doesnt bother me.
Ive never experienced wheel hop on the streets, so I donthave a basis to determine whether this has gotten rid of any wheel hop on thestreet or not. That being said, I didntget any wheel hop on the street when while dropping the clutch at 2-3k. David said there was a little on the firstlaunch, but I didnt feel it. (The wheelhop I have experienced prior to installing this kit was very noticeable andmade the entire rear end shake violently.)
Ill be going to the track in about 2-3 weeks to do moretesting. Till then, here are somepictures that were taken during the install.
Here are some pictures of the DEFIVfab Differential LockdownKit Install:
