Which Control Arms?

[Raptorman5174]

I'm going to be replacing my control arms but I am having trouble deciding which ones to choose. My first thought were to get these

https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Suspension/Control_Arm/ES2528795/

but then there are these....
https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Suspension/Control_Arm/ES1843946/


Are they same? and then Meyle has a set
https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/ES205222/

I just want to make sure that I get the correct ones. I had run the Meyle control arms on an older car (2000 323Ci) with good results but have heard other state they they would get front end vibrations after installations of them.

Are there any other options that I may want to consider before I make the investment?

As always thanks for your help guys

[Aeternalis]

I went with the Lemforder arms from FCPEuro. Lemforder is an OEM for BMW which means you'll essentially get the same part as you would from a BMW dealership without the BMW logo and accompanying price markup. FCPEuro also offers a Lifetime Replacement warranty for all parts purchased through them.

Left: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-control-arm-front-left-e46-lemforder-31122282121
Right: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-control-arm-front-right-e46-lemforder-31122282122

I have heard many bad things about Meyle suspension parts recently, so I decided to stay away from them when I did my suspension refresh.

Good luck!

[Vas]

Lemforder or OE bmw that have the M sticker on them are the only way to go.

[slater]

has anyone used TRW?

[anandoc]

Lemforder or OE bmw that have the M sticker on them are the only way to go.

I replaced mine with the Lemforder 'ZHP' ones last year. The Lemforder brand FCAs do not have the blue "///M" sticker on them.

[az3579]

Do not buy the Meyle ones. They are total crap. I had both left AND right control arms, INCLUDING the Meyle control arm bushings, all fail on me within 30k miles.

Buy the ZHP specific arms - the Lemforder ones are just fine as they are the same thing as the Genuine BMW part. I agree with comments on buying from FCP Euro - you'll never have to buy control arms again thanks to the lifetime warranty.


You save money if you buy them as kits. Here's a good deal on a pair of ZHP Lemforder arms with the Lemforder control arm bushings for $467. This is the kit that I bought. Have gone through some super shitty roads on a regular basis for the past year with this set and still as good as the day I put them on.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-4-piece-control-arm-kit-e46-zhp4piecekit-l

[Raptorman5174]

WOW this is all good information, thank you all again for the good advice

[terraphantm]

Lemförder "ZHP" arms and the Z4M control arm bushings. Can't go wrong with that combo


has anyone used TRW?

TRW makes OE suspension for other BMWs, so they'd probably be fine

[slater]

TRW makes OE suspension for other BMWs, so they'd probably be fine

they are significantly cheaper than the lemförder units, that's why i asked...

[fw_fw]

You save money if you buy them as kits. Here's a good deal on a pair of ZHP Lemforder arms with the Lemforder control arm bushings for $467. This is the kit that I bought. Have gone through some super shitty roads on a regular basis for the past year with this set and still as good as the day I put them on.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-4-piece-control-arm-kit-e46-zhp4piecekit-l

Added to my FCP wishlist.....thanks for the link!

[das boots]

Lemförder "ZHP" arms and the Z4M control arm bushings. Can't go wrong with that combo



TRW makes OE suspension for other BMWs, so they'd probably be fine


ECS only ones selling ZHP Lemforders and Z4M CABs? Any one have them selling as set or have to purchase them individually?

[terraphantm]

ECS only ones selling ZHP Lemforders and Z4M CABs? Any one have them selling as set or have to purchase them individually?

I got my control arms from Amazon, and I got the bushings from ECS, though there may be other places to get them cheaper

http://www.amazon.com/Lemfoerder-W0133-1788187-LEM-Lemforder-Control-Arm/dp/B001G6MZUU?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00
http://www.amazon.com/Lemfoerder-W0133-1788188-LEM-Lemforder-Control-Arm/dp/B001G6MZS2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00



https://www.ecstuning.com/ES48905/
https://www.ecstuning.com/ES48906/

You could also save money by buying the bushings without the brackets and pressing them into the existing lollipops, but I didn't feel like dealing with that hassle.

https://www.ecstuning.com/ES48907/

[TWong1200]

Out of curiosity, why are you replacing the arms? Are you having any symptoms?

[Vas]

Out of curiosity, why are you replacing the arms? Are you having any symptoms?
The ones I replaced on the wife's zhp were destroyed. The boots on the ball joints ripped

[TWong1200]

The ones I replaced on the wife's zhp were destroyed. The boots on the ball joints ripped

Any strange noises? Clunking, specifically. I've been chasing (when I have time) this clunk in my front end that's driving me crazy. I've removed my front coilovers a handful of times and can't find anything wrong. Everything's except the control arms are brand new. My coilovers only have about 4k miles on them. I just hate to throw money at control arms if I'm not certain that's the issue. Car just hit 118k today.

[Vas]

Any strange noises? Clunking, specifically. I've been chasing (when I have time) this clunk in my front end that's driving me crazy. I've removed my front coilovers a handful of times and can't find anything wrong. Everything's except the control arms are brand new. My coilovers only have about 4k miles on them. I just hate to throw money at control arms if I'm not certain that's the issue. Car just hit 118k today.

I replaced them at - Mileage 133,103

Wife said there was a clunking sound from the front right when going over bumps or out of driveways. I figured it was either the control arms/bushings or front shocks.

Decided to replace the control arms first and yup the inner ball joint was dead. But it was ruined because the boot ripped and the grease came out.

Inspect them if you can to see any tears.

[3ZHP]

I used BMW OEM when I did mine.


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[ELCID86]

I went with Lemfoerder but OEM are good too ;-)

[Oli77]

As far as I can tell, ZHP control arms fit non-zhp cars like mine (ZSP, or sport suspension). Is that correct?

Anyone out there has put ZHP control arms (beefier and stiffer components) on non-ZHP cars?

I thought Dane had a non-ZHP car in the past.

The reason I ask is because I had new lemfoerders put in my car about 30 K miles ago and they are clunking and show play at the inner ball joint. I was thinking to upgrade to a package that may last longer.

[terraphantm]

ZHP arms will fit a non-ZHP without issue. Geometry is the same,

[Oli77]

Good, I re-read a thread from 2011 on this forum where I was asking the same question but for some reason I didn't go that route. This time, I will.
It seems the ZHP control arms just seem to be less likely to fail. Now I need to convince my Indy (I am not able to do this job).