ZHP Control arms from ECStuning

[TLL0003]

I am looking at the ZHP control arms from ECStuning to replace the original control arms on my 05 ZHP with 165k miles (bushings replaced @ 99k and im hoping they are still good):

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw-parts/bmw-performance-lower-control-arm-kit/31120429578/

I'm probably splitting hairs here, but that link says they are genuine OEM zhp arms but I don't see the blue logo's in the photos, and I don't see the specific part numbers. If these are the genuine, they're the same price as the lemforder zhp control arms.

Has anyone purchased this and confirm?

Thanks!

[704sw]

Buy the Lemforder from FCP. Lifetime warranty, and the Lemforder will be identical to the OEM BMW ones. Edit: it’ll also be $100 cheaper.

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

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

[ZHPizza]

Buy the Lemforder from FCP. Lifetime warranty, and the Lemforder will be identical to the OEM BMW ones. Edit: it’ll also be $100 cheaper.

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

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

Right on. The control arms are another OE BMW part where Lemforder has to grind off the BMW logo to sell them as their own.

[slater]

another data point:

i'm totally pro-lemfoerder, and buy it as my #1 choice where i'm not going performance aftermarket....but i decided to try out the TRW ZHP control arms. TRW is a good name and they make quality stuff, and these arms are no exception - the build quality, packaging, presentation, and on-vehicle performance is very good. plus - they somehow came in way cheaper than the lemfoerders.... i think i got them from FCP for $111/each.

food for thought.

:cheers

[san]

Buy the Lemforder from FCP. Lifetime warranty, and the Lemforder will be identical to the OEM BMW ones. Edit: it’ll also be $100 cheaper.

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

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


Right on. The control arms are another OE BMW part where Lemforder has to grind off the BMW logo to sell them as their own.

One of my grad school professors who worked for bmw for more than 10 years said some parts lemforder (and their equivalents) sell could be parts that didn’t meet bmw’s specs.
Doesn’t stop me from buying them but it could be possible that the difference is not just the logo...


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[PetesZ]

So as someone that work in the automotive industry. The parts we sold to the big three were identical to the ones we sold to aftermarket. Cost more to sort them and deal with audits with different quality requirements.

The lemforder I have ordered have the bmw logo in the casting ground out.

[cornercarver]

FYI - the Lemforder CA's are cheaper ($145) at Bav Auto; https://www.bavauto.com/bmw-control-arm-2536701?gclid=CjwKCAjwgYPZBRBoEiwA2XeupYDrZeZCODZN 0qB65_90f4Uv4ZOhJRBhK8OpO7KqXcrxqKy8kYyD-BoC6K4QAvD_BwE

I just bought a pair a few weeks ago.

[Smolck]

. Meyle HD also sport better ball joints and are replaceable so your next control arm replacement will only be $100 for new ball joints (reuse the arm). I still prefer ZHP arms though.

[TLL0003]

Thanks for all the responses, I’ll definitely go with the lemdorders. I’ve read that the Meyle HD control arms have gone down in quality is this true? It would definitely be nice to not have to replace the entire control arm next time although I’m at 166k miles on the original ball joints

[Newjack]

I would go with the lemforder arms as everyone else has said. Usually when parts don't meet BMW specs they just won't have the roundel on them. The fact that the roundel is being ground off sounds pretty good to me that the part is legit. Don't go Meyle, I've heard a lot more bad than good.

On a personal note I went with OEM ZHP arms way back when I did my suspension refresh. Still going strong.

[Smolck]

Not sure why all the Meyle hate. I’ve put them on more than 10 E46s, including 3 of my own. Never had a problem. Internet rumors are typically just that, plenty of folks run down lemforder too, never had an issue with them either.

[az3579]

Not sure why all the Meyle hate. I’ve put them on more than 10 E46s, including 3 of my own. Never had a problem. Internet rumors are typically just that, plenty of folks run down lemforder too, never had an issue with them either.

I was done with Meyle when I had to replace both Meyle CABs and Meyle control arms after just 30k miles / 1 year. I had a similar experience with their CABs on my E30 as well. In these cases, it's not even as though just one side failed and I had to do both just in case - both sides failed, miserably.

So far that's a 100% premature failure rate in my experience. No thanks.



Meanwhile my Lemforder's are just fine with about 70k on them, just as nice feeling as Day 1.

[Fried_Chicken]

I was done with Meyle when I had to replace both Meyle CABs and Meyle control arms after just 30k miles / 1 year. I had a similar experience with their CABs on my E30 as well. In these cases, it's not even as though just one side failed and I had to do both just in case - both sides failed, miserably.

So far that's a 100% premature failure rate in my experience. No thanks.



Meanwhile my Lemforder's are just fine with about 70k on them, just as nice feeling as Day 1.

Same here. Meyle is not OEM. I don't trust them.

[Newjack]

I was done with Meyle when I had to replace both Meyle CABs and Meyle control arms after just 30k miles / 1 year. I had a similar experience with their CABs on my E30 as well. In these cases, it's not even as though just one side failed and I had to do both just in case - both sides failed, miserably.

So far that's a 100% premature failure rate in my experience. No thanks.



Meanwhile my Lemforder's are just fine with about 70k on them, just as nice feeling as Day 1.YOU TELL EM BP

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[az3579]

YOU TELL EM BP

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lol
Just sharing my experience. Bad reputations are usually earned.

[Newjack]

lol
Just sharing my experience. Bad reputations are usually earned.

LOOKING AT YOU FCPEUROTRASH

[az3579]

LOOKING AT YOU FCPEUROTRASH

Tell us how you really feel.

[holyc0w]

:rofl

What ever happened to the guy from FCP that was trying to join the site?

[Sockethead]

I had premature failure with Meyle front end parts as well as their rear shock mounts

[dj330Ci]

I still have the original control arms with 196k miles, seriously. Original shocks and struts too. I will be replacing those soon but haven't decided to replace the CAs. Daily driver, never tracked. I will buy all parts original BMW. I have no reason not to. My car is still a nice driving experience and I'm looking forward to refreshing the suspension for another 200k.

[Vas]

I just removed a set of meyle hd arms and they did not last as long as the OE units.

Lemforder is the way to go

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[az3579]

I just removed a set of meyle hd arms and they did not last as long as the OE units.

Lemforder is the way to go

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Meyle HD arms and bushings are total garbage. I tried them somewhere around 7-8 years ago and they were garbage then... I see they're garbage now as well.

They lasted me less than 30k for both front control arms AND bushings. They were all shot.