BC Racing RM Series BMW 3 Series E36 RWD (92-98) (except M3) (Rear Integrated)

Inverting the shock absorber is what sets the RM Series apart. With the oil and gas reservoir anchored to the body rather than the hub, unsprung mass is reduced: the wheel responds faster to every irregularity and maintains better contact with the road. This same position protects the oil from the heat generated by the brakes, ensuring the damping remains just as consistent on the final lap as on the first. It features a 42mm piston rod, which is more resistant to lateral loads.

Complete kit for all four wheels of the BMW 3 Series E36 RWD (92-98) (except M3). It uses an integrated rear configuration: at the back, the spring and shock absorber form a single unit rather than being separate as in the factory setup, which allows for adjusting the rear ride height directly on the shock absorber. Weight is 23 kg. Manufacturer part number I-30-RM-MA.

The front features an inverted shock absorber with camber-adjustable pillowball top mounts, while the rear uses rubber top mounts or no top mounts, depending on the application. The front axle allows for camber and caster adjustment, which is not available in all applications. Ride height is adjusted independently of spring preload, and the conical lower locking collar prevents the setting from shifting with use. Includes dust boots to protect the seals and a 1-year warranty against manufacturing defects.

There are 17 stiffness combinations available, including Cam/Cas configurations. The one BC Racing defines as the default for this car is 6/5 kg/mm.

Before you buy

Before installation, the chassis must be reinforced in the area of the rear mounts. The integrated assembly introduces loads that the original setup distributed differently, and BC Racing makes the validity of the kit conditional on this work being done. This is a task for a specialized workshop and should be included in your budget.

The shock absorber is a cartridge housed inside a threaded body, with grease between the two parts to prevent metal-on-metal contact. This must be cleaned and reapplied periodically to avoid noise; it is simple maintenance that does not require opening or re-pressurizing the shock absorber. For this reason, BC Racing targets this series for track use and recommends the BR, DS, ER, or ZX for a daily-driven car.

The front pillowball top mounts are a rigid anchor with no elastic element, and on some chassis, they may transmit a slight knocking sound into the cabin. This does not indicate a defect, and BC Racing does not cover it under warranty or accept returns for this reason. Configurations with rubber top mounts avoid this effect.