BC Racing RM Series BMW 3 Series E46 RWD (98-06) (except M3) (Rear Integrated)

The RM Series features an inverted monotube shock absorber with the oil and gas reservoir at the top, fixed to the chassis. This arrangement reduces unsprung weight, allowing the tire to better track the asphalt and stop bouncing on rough surfaces. It also keeps the oil away from brake heat, which under intense use can travel up through the hub and soften the damping. The 42mm piston rod adds resistance to lateral loads and keeps steering geometry stable.

Complete kit for all four wheels of the BMW 3 Series E46 RWD (98-06) (excluding M3). It uses an integrated rear configuration: at the rear, the spring and shock absorber form a single assembly rather than being separate as in the stock equipment, which allows the rear ride height to be adjusted directly on the shock. Weighs 23 kg. Manufacturer part number I-31-RM-MA.

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

There are 14 damping settings available, including Cam/Cas and Offset configurations. The default setting defined by BC Racing 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 upon this work being done. This is a job for a specialized workshop and should be factored into 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. For this reason, BC Racing gears this series towards track use and recommends the BR, DS, ER, or ZX for a daily-driven car.

The front pillowball 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 nor accept returns for this reason. Configurations with rubber mounts avoid this effect.