Are Lemforder suspension kits worth the extra 500?

[moojoo]

Haven't posted in a while, sold the m3. But, just picked up a 635csi. Nice car but 219k on the clock and the front end needs work. Checking around, I find front suspension kits from 300 to 800 bucks (for Lemforder). Question is, does it really matter? This is never going to be a 10k car, but am I taking my life in my hands with the 300 buck kit? Anyone have any experience with the cheap kits?

[Dash01]

No.

For DD use, go on RockAuto and check their ratings on specific brands. Granted, Lemforder is typically excellent quality, but is it worth paying that much more DD use, if Brand X is reasonably good at a fraction the price?

And, some suspension parts are interchangeable with E34, E32, etc., so bone up on that.

[bkats]

I wouldn't pay over double for a comparable kit, but I don't mind the premium lemforder usually takes on any individual part. For my front control arms, I've noticed lemforder and 750 bushings tend to last substantially longer than other brands. So, since I personally don't like changing suspension parts, I am willing to pay for extended life.

[FernandoBunster]

If you're doing the wrenching yourself and don't mind repeating the process more often, I suppose you can go for the off-brand. If your using a professional tech then go with the better product, since most of the cost will be in labor.

Have you tried pricing at AutohausAZ? ( http://www.autohausaz.com/?gclid=CPz...FUff4Aod_G4grQ ). They offer get prices for the top brands. Also Mahle is a good product.

[alpinacsi]

Your call. The cheap parts are cheap for a reason and will most often cost more over the course of a few months. Lemforder, meyle and TRW have provided good parts from my experience. Uro and Ocap are generally not worth the time it takes to unpack in my opinion.

[ShapeShifter]

^That.

Its only cheaper till you have to replace it 5k miles later.

Don't forget to preload the UCABs. Not doing so is the number one cause of quick failure.
Some who preload still do not do it to BMW spec, read the details and follow them.

Do it right, do it once.

[n2bimmer]

Lemforder supplies OEM parts for BMW, so if you can use them, that would be great. Ive also used Meyle HD on my E46 with good results, its been 5 years and plenty of track and canyon driving, its time to replace those as well.


Back to pre-loading, i know its the right thing to do. Unfortunately the 2 shops ive talked to about this had no clue about it.

[ShapeShifter]

There allot of people who know to and do preload, but do not do it properly.

[RSheiman]

Many of us started out with the cheap stuff and have learned a lesson. Myele is usually a magnitude below Lemforder in cost but not a magnitude below in quality. I also use BMA parts and FCP Euro a lot.... I like Autohaus AZ but for those of us on the east coast, we see the stuff at our door a lot faster.

[moojoo]

Thanks guys. The control arms are shot so I was thinking get it all and replace as I dive into it. There are several websites, including eBay, that sell the kit for anywhere from 280-320 depending. It all looks like the same knock off kit. It's not going to be a daily. Hell, I put 8k miles on the m3 in 7 years. This car will probably be the same. I'm thinking cheaper will probably work for me.

[mauryc]

I used cheapos on two cars and wers very disappointed both times. Never again. I had parts (Karlin and URO) fail with less than 5k on them. If price is an issue, buy a few parts at a time. More labor on Saturday mornings, but better piece of mind.....

Just my .02

[moojoo]

Ok. Now I'm changing my mind. The rockauto kit is Uro. I'm assuming the other cheap kits are the same manufacturer on different sites.

[Layne]

Do not buy any rubber part from Uro or Karlyn. You'll be lucky if they last long enough to install. Uro seems to not fail at making solid aluminum parts like pulleys and thermostat housings though. Meyle is minimum quality for suspension parts. Remember you may die if they break, or kill other people. It's not a window winder crank. A few years ago FCP euro was probing the lower limit of quality with their house brand. Many lasted 50 miles! And at least one person had a center tie rod break in half. They claim to have improved since then. Personally I got tired of replacing Meyle parts too often and only use Lemforder or TRW. If you aren't selling your car, and actually drive it, you'll live to replace even Lemforder parts more times than you can count. A good handling suspension is not a durable suspension.

[tonym427]

Is the proper preload process listed in the Bentley?

[1986series6]

Syncro design works. Never replace bushings again. No preload needed.

Attachment 571570

[n2bimmer]

You guys are lucky. I couldn't find lemforder for my e12. I had to settle for Karlyn.

[Freshbread]

I am willing to pay for extended life.

Exactly. I don't want to do any repair or modification twice that requires me to commit considerable time to complete. While this suspension is not really all that difficult to work on when given the choice between re-replacing parts, or having a beer in my pool...I'll take the beer every time. Think of the extra dough you spend initially as time saved for future leisure activities

[RSheiman]

Anyone pass on the website that allows you to put the BMW part number in and it searches multiple sites and gives you a price for each site?

[MIKYZZ4]

WWW.Furiousmethod.com. OP, since you are looking for parts in kit form , look into a MYLE HD KIT at www.FCPEuro.com + free shipping + lifetime warranty

[roger hanley]

This site works well for competitive pricing:

http://www.bmwpnpc.com/

[moojoo]

Well thanks All! Decided on TRW upgraded control arms only for now, from fcpeuro. 220 bucks for both sides, upper and lower. Seems like a decent enough price.

[dwal95008]

When replacing bushings look into moosehead eng. spherical ones. Highly regarded and worth the money. I have good bushings still so I havent made the leap yet, but I will.