What is the better front control arm manufacturer?

[mattska]

I don't have $ for M3 front control arms so don't even start! my r/f ball joint is wasted and I need to replace the arm. I found Meyle and Lemforder for around the same price. Is either one recommended over the other? or is there a better option?

[LJ851]

BMW ones are best. If yours are original just replace the ball joints. I use Lemforder.

[jlevie]

Lemforder, definitely.

[E30_fiend]

Lemforder is the best. If you need a good deal, hit up Dave at blunttech.com

[xxlbimmer]

Jlevie, I read somewhere that e36 are the same as e30 arms. Just that the e36 have replaceable ball joints. Is that true?

[LJ851]

Jlevie, I read somewhere that e36 are the same as e30 arms. Just that the e36 have replaceable ball joints. Is that true?

??? E30 ball joints are replaceable, i have replaced mine.

[HippyEarly]

??? E30 ball joints are replaceable, i have replaced mine.

Had my wheels off today and noticed i have a bad ball joint. My search so far lead me to the contrary. What year was yours? Did they change arms?

[Mr Two]

I replaced my balljoints. Ordered them through Carquest. ~$150 total, for genuine Lemforder goodness

[HippyEarly]

I replaced my balljoints. Ordered them through Carquest. ~$150 total, for genuine Lemforder goodness

What year? I just looked at my 86 again and they do not look replaceable. Just checked pelican and all i could find was the whole Control arm assembly?

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/cata...pg4.htm#item28

Were they pressed into the control arm? The rest of my research has told me they are not replaceable. I believe you that you replaced yours but Im stumped.

Also At 150 for 4 ball joints and 200 for two new oem control arms, that is confusing me as well.

[bmwguy325is]

I have always bought the myle ones. The issue I have with them is that I have the tree house loli pops and I have to grind a lil off of them to make them fit.

[Jand3rson]

Lemforder, period. Buy the cheaper stuff, and you get what you pay for.

[ACHTUNG]

Lemforder. And if you can't get Lemforders I would suggest you get Lemforders as a good replacement.

[Sagaris]

I got Ocap control arms a year and a half ago and they break in half every day on my way out the driveway:weak:

I haven't had any problems so far with them, they were priced halfway between Meyle and Lemforders

[HippyEarly]

I only found a $20 difference at pelican between Lemforder and meyle. And Lem is what they are saying OEM is and those lasted 25 some odd years.

So whats the jive with replaceable or not? I think i've decided to get new ones but confused that some are saying the ball joints are replaceable. I haven't found any...

[dinanm3atl]

Meyle is quality replacement. For the E30 though the difference in cost is ~20 dollars so worth going with the OEM Lemfoerder. No reason to go to BMW and get rolled over the counter by buying the Lemfoerder arm with a Roundel on it ;)