Control Arms for E36 M3

[Bushytails]

Suggestions for control arms for an E36 M3?

[bluptgm3]

Lemforder Forward Lower Control Arms period, ....second to logo BMW/Lemforder.

That said, one could use Meyle HD FLCAs for the E36 318/323/325/328 and 1995 E36 M3, as they are the same geometry and contain non-isolated (solid) outer ball joint.
The 1996+M3 FLCAs are different geometry that needs to be mated with 1996+M3 Spindles and 1996+M3 Strut Mounts, only Lemforder offers FLCAs of proper matching geometry.


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[TostitoBandito]

Yup, OEM Lemforder if you actually need to replace damaged arms. If just the ball joints need replacing and you have access to a press or a shop who can do it, you can save money and get a set of new Lemforder ball joints for far less than two new arms will cost.

[rohner88]

Suggestions for control arms for an E36 M3?

Another option...buy refreshed FCA with new bushings already pressed in. New genuine arms cost $300 each. From FCP Euro. Buy mine and Save yourself $400.��

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...d-FCA-brackets

[shogun]

I just found these for a 1998 E36 M3 from Detroit Axle: https://www.detroitaxle.com/shop/sus...vmk=BMW&vmd=M3
1998 BMW M3 Lower Control Arm w/Ball Joint – Front, Passenger Side Part #K80532 $45.26
1998 BMW M3 Lower Control Arm w/Ball Joint – Front, Driver Side Part #K80531 $42.75

that seems "super cheap" + is backed by a 10-year warranty, anyone ever tried these from Detroit Axle? Do not need them now, was searching the net for the 1996-1999 lower control arms to check prices and google search showed them.

[NeilM]

I just found these for a 1998 E36 M3 from Detroit Axle: https://www.detroitaxle.com/shop/sus...vmk=BMW&vmd=M3
1998 BMW M3 Lower Control Arm w/Ball Joint – Front, Passenger Side Part #K80532 $45.26
1998 BMW M3 Lower Control Arm w/Ball Joint – Front, Driver Side Part #K80531 $42.75

that seems "super cheap" + is backed by a 10-year warranty, anyone ever tried these from Detroit Axle? Do not need them now, was searching the net for the 1996-1999 lower control arms to check prices and google search showed them.

Interesting. At under $100 for the pair, plus a 10-year warranty, I'd be somewhat inclined to try them out.

Except, out of stock.

Neil

[aeronaut]

Yea, for that price, I'd buy a few pair and even if I had to press in new ball joints, it'd be a win.

[smr87]

I bought a pair of the Detroit axel ones solely based on the price, iirc 2 years ago when I purchased them they were equivalent in price to a set of new ball joints ~$70 to my door. If I ever get the rest of my project done and drive the car after putting them on I'll report back. Also because of the price I am not getting rid of my stock arms and plan to press new ball joints into them and keep them on the shelf. If it seems too good to be true it probably is, so it is likely these cheapies will not last very long. As long as you manage expectations you should never be disappointed, or something like that.

Edit: I went back and looked, I did buy them in 2018, man I am a slacker, for $68, but also looking at the reviews on Amazon makes me think they are coming off before I get the car back out on the road. Lots of reports of premature failures.

[NeilM]

Lots of reports of premature failures.

Well, guess there is no free lunch.

[bluptgm3]

I just found these for a 1998 E36 M3 from Detroit Axle: https://www.detroitaxle.com/shop/sus...vmk=BMW&vmd=M3
1998 BMW M3 Lower Control Arm w/Ball Joint – Front, Passenger Side Part #K80532 $45.26
1998 BMW M3 Lower Control Arm w/Ball Joint – Front, Driver Side Part #K80531 $42.75

that seems "super cheap" + is backed by a 10-year warranty, anyone ever tried these from Detroit Axle? Do not need them now, was searching the net for the 1996-1999 lower control arms to check prices and google search showed them.

I question IF these are intended as M3 replacements as the outer BJ is pictured as the rubber isolated non-M3 style. And I am doubtful that this is 1996+M3 FLCA geometry.
Non-'M' configuration FLCAs would work geometrically on a 1996M3 however not the 1996+M3 without using offset FLCABs.
An isolated outer BJ probably does not have a chance with the stiffer M3 components - springs, shocks, FLCABs - and lower profile 17" rims/tires.
DetroitAxleFLCAnonM3.png

[shogun]

good point, thanks for your comment, bluptgm3 . Maybe somewhere is mentioned: "All Pictures shown are for illustration purpose only"? Best would be of course a comment from someone who bought them for a 1996-1999 E36 M3, installed them and has some experience about lifetime, quality etc. Or someone contacts them and asks to reconfirm their's are indeed for 96-99 E36 M3

Original p/n's for my 02/98 E36 M3:
wishbone left 31122228461
wishbone right 31122228462
Left wishbone bracket 31121139789
Right wishbone bracket 31121139790
Set rubber mounting f wishbone 31129069035

[smr87]

The ones I received are for a 96-99 spec car, but that could be just a much luck as anything. I was a tad concerned when I bought them given the pictures, but they surprisingly were correct direct replacements. Mine have gone all of about a 1000' since installing them so I don't have any first hand with how long they will last, but given the reviews on Amazon I wouldn't expect much.

[shogun]

rockauto offers even more options for 96-99 E36 M3, I searched with 1998 E36 M3 US spec.:

MEVOTECH CMK9625 ; Complete Arm w/ Ball Joint Front Left Lower $44.99 wholesaler closeout
MEVOTECH CMK9627 ; Complete Arm w/ Ball Joint Front Right Lower $44.99 wholesaler closeout

ACDELCO 45D3235 #19186975 Professional; Complete Arm w/ Ball Joint Front Left Lower $51.79
ACDELCO 45D3236 #19186976 Professional; Complete Arm w/ Ball Joint Front Right Lower $51.79

ULTRA-POWER K80532 Complete Arm w/ Ball Joint; Includes Bushings Info One of our most popular parts. Front Right Lower $27.79
ULTRA-POWER K80531 Complete Arm w/ Ball Joint; Includes Bushings Info One of our most popular parts. Front Left Lower $27.79

SKP SK80532 Complete Arm w/ Ball Joint; Includes Bushings Info One of our most popular parts. Front Right Lower $29.79
SKP SK80531 Complete Arm w/ Ball Joint; Includes Bushings Info One of our most popular parts.Front Left Lower $29.79

MEVOTECH GK9625 {#31122228461} Original Grade; Complete Arm w/ Ball Joint , Front Left Lower $35.79
MEVOTECH GK9627 {#31122228462} Original Grade; Complete Arm w/ Ball Joint, Front Right Lower $35.79

[bluptgm3]

rockauto offers even more options for 96-99 E36 M3, I searched with 1998 E36 M3 US spec

The bulk of those FLCAs display an isolated outer ball joint which indicates baseline geometry. Base E36 and 1995M3 have the same geometry however the hole for ball joint is different diameter hole.
The exception is the Mevotech GK 9625/GK9627, hard to tell what geometry the are, but as pictured is solid outer ball joint.

[shogun]

Thanks for the detailed comment, bluptgm3, really confusing what is online offered for the 96-99 E36 M3 FLCAs. When I find more on the net, I will post here and please comment on fitting yes/no.
I personally will go the way to refresh my original FCAs with new bushings and press them in, http://e36diy.com/e36-m3-replacement...rm-ball-joint/
but for the others which are looking for cheaper options this thread is valuable with the comments of you M3 experts about details what to check.

[brianc]

If you actually need arms because they are damaged or you just want new ones buy Lemforder. Way cheaper than OE Lemforder/BMW - I don't think they're making the OEM part anymore you can't even find the left arm. If you just need new ball joints do it yourself or do a swap for arms w/ new ball joints already installed as mentioned above (you just have to send in your old ones). If you do it yourself you'll want to loan a pickle fork ball joint separator kit, a ball joint press kit and master ball joint press set.

https://www.autozone.com/loan-a-tool...set/449957_0_0
https://www.autozone.com/loan-a-tool...set/557231_0_0
https://www.autozone.com/loan-a-tool...set/787835_0_0

[jinendow]

[QUOTE=bluptgm3;29938301]Lemforder Forward Lower Control Arms period, ....second to logo BMW/Lemforder.

That said, one could use Meyle HD FLCAs for the 1995 M3, as they are the same geometry and contain non-isolated (solid) outer ball joint.
The 1996+M3 FLCAs are different geometry that needs to be mated with 1996+M3 Spindles and 1996+M3 Strut Mounts, only Lemforder offers FLCAs of proper matching geometry.

For the 95's, which Meyle arms are you referring to? It's been on my list to just replace the ball joints but if there is a Meyle option to just buy the control arm I may just go with that.

[bluptgm3]

Merle HD FLCAs contain a solid outer ball joint and are the same geometry as the 1995M3 FLCAs. ( Same as E30, E36 318/323/325/328 and 1995M3)

[jinendow]

Merle HD FLCAs contain a solid outer ball joint and are the same geometry as the 1995M3 FLCAs.

so I could just run these bad boys? https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...36-fcp-e36arms

[shogun]

here is some more info on the subject https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...ntrol-Arms-NLA

[fastbroshi]

Shogun, the link in your sig is missing an "l" on the end.

[bluptgm3]

so I could just run these bad boys? https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...36-fcp-e36arms

Those FLCAs are the geometry of the base E36 (also same as 1995M3) and contain the rubber isolated outer ball joint.

****Edit 09/22/2021 - I linked from that product page to the individual arms and they display solid outer ball joints.

[golgo13]

It's probably cheaper to just press out the old ball joints and press in new ones, as pointed out in that thread shogun linked.