Best M3 Control Arm for 1988 325iS

[BeLzEbUb58]

Looking to change the control arms for my 1988 325iS. What is the best M3 control arm, Febi or Lemfoerder or ...?

[Stu]

Lemforder is generally the best. Nowadays it's difficult to justify running aluminum M3 arms considering the cost. 10 years ago when they were $160 each it made sense, but what you'll pay for them now doesn't really outweigh the savings in unsprung weight and slightly beefier ball joints.

[z31maniac]

However, E30 M3 control arms are the same as standard E30 control arms.

Except they are aluminum instead of steel, and lighter.

But like Stu said, not worth the extra expense.

[markseven]

Except they are aluminum instead of steel, and lighter.

But like Stu said, not worth the extra expense.

Depends on if the car sees track days, but then again I don't know what the weight difference is. Does anyone know just how much lighter the aluminum units are?

[nrubenstein]

Depends on if the car sees track days, but then again I don't know what the weight difference is. Does anyone know just how much lighter the aluminum units are?

Not enough lighter to justify the expense.

[Wh33lhop]

IIRC they're about 4lbs per side lighter. But the benefit isn't in the total weight reduction, it's in the unsprung weight loss.

[BeLzEbUb58]

So, I can get by with the standard control arms or just change the bushings on my control arms to M3?

[SpecM]

So, I can get by with the standard control arms or just change the bushings on my control arms to M3?

both

[BeLzEbUb58]

both

OOPS upside my head...what I meant was "and" not "or".

[MonkeyMadness]

Found this at napa auto... $118. not sure who made it?

http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Det...+50006+2006005#

I think it's an E46 lower arm but it says it fits a 318,325,M3?
I'm not a guro when it comes to bmw supention

[z31maniac]

Dude, just click the link in my sig and order two Lemforder arms with new OEM M3 bushings.

[erik325i]

Found this at napa auto... $118. not sure who made it?

http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Det...+50006+2006005#

I think it's an E46 lower arm but it says it fits a 318,325,M3?
I'm not a guro when it comes to bmw supention

That's an e46 control arm. Sure, it will fit 318/325/m3, but in the e46 body style.
Just get a set of Lemforder e30 arms.

Erik