Buying new control arms soon, need advice

The Maxican · 10-19-2015, 06:20 AM

So I was working on my car the other day and discovered that one of my front control arms is bent. I've been contemplating on upgrading to the m3 control arms but have a few questions. My car is at 103K miles should I replace the rears also? How can I check to see if the rears are bad? I really don't want to take it to a shop to get checked out unless I absolutely have to. If I don't upgrade the rears to m3 spec as well, could it negatively affect my handling?

feuer · 10-19-2015, 07:36 PM

Bent? How long you have been driving like that?
Replacing the rear will not yeild m3 spec.
At least not geometry and ailignment wise.
You can check them same way you checked the front:
-visually for damage
-phisically for free play

The Maxican · 10-20-2015, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feuer

Bent? How long you have been driving like that?
Replacing the rear will not yeild m3 spec.
At least not geometry and ailignment wise.
You can check them same way you checked the front:
-visually for damage
-phisically for free play

Not sure how long it's been bent but I'm gonna guess it happened the day before i worked on my car. Could you elaborate what you mean by the geometry.

feuer · 10-20-2015, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Maxican

Could you elaborate what you mean by the geometry.

-length of the parts, their position, angles and how they move
-will not be any different from M to non M
-at least for those that are interchangeable and you are talking about

Jaronbwall · 10-20-2015, 11:55 AM

Question of the day: how did you bend the control arm?

Fundguy1 · 10-20-2015, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarronbwall

Question of the day: how did you bend the control arm?

Been there. Done that. Large pothole.

Jams_K · 10-21-2015, 02:17 PM

Quick solution, buy front M3 control arms, both upper and lower. Have them fitted and wheels aligned and enjoy the improved handling.

I did this to mine on Tuesday and it's night and day the difference. Turning into the corner is so much better, the car doesn't hesitate and is so much more enjoyable!

BMSE92_Harry · 10-22-2015, 04:44 AM

The rear control arm is another project of itself. But won't make any difference unless you change up the subframe bushing or add inserts.

Fundguy1 · 10-22-2015, 07:07 AM

M3 control arms have more camber so expect less front tire life.

ccbl · 10-22-2015, 11:13 AM

^ can always get an alignment for that

Fundguy1 · 10-22-2015, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccbl

^ can always get an alignment for that

Nope. Max alignment still out of spec for a 335. Not for an m3.

Jaronbwall · 10-22-2015, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fundguy1

Nope. Max alignment still out of spec for a 335. Not for an m3.

I would assume the inside edge of the front tires will wear out faster. Completely worth the added turn in characteristics right?

Fundguy1 · 10-23-2015, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarronbwall

I would assume the inside edge of the front tires will wear out faster. Completely worth the added turn in characteristics right?

Correct. This happens already to my rears with stock sport suspension settings so no biggie.

The Maxican · 10-23-2015, 09:29 PM

Ended up buying just the fronts for now so i can fix my car. I'm installing them tomorrow night and taking it in for an alignment on sunday. What should i set the alignment specs too?

10-19-2015, 06:20 AM	#1
The Maxican Hola 71 Rep 407 Posts Drives: E92 M3, Datsun 280Z Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Phoenix, AZ iTrader: (4)	Buying new control arms soon, need advice So I was working on my car the other day and discovered that one of my front control arms is bent. I've been contemplating on upgrading to the m3 control arms but have a few questions. My car is at 103K miles should I replace the rears also? How can I check to see if the rears are bad? I really don't want to take it to a shop to get checked out unless I absolutely have to. If I don't upgrade the rears to m3 spec as well, could it negatively affect my handling?
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10-19-2015, 07:36 PM	#2
feuer Major General 4307 Rep 9,230 Posts Drives: wife crazy! Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (5)	Bent? How long you have been driving like that? Replacing the rear will not yeild m3 spec. At least not geometry and ailignment wise. You can check them same way you checked the front: -visually for damage -phisically for free play
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10-20-2015, 11:55 AM	#5
Jaronbwall Driving cars and riding bikes really fast 297 Rep 1,027 Posts Drives: 2009 335i Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Indianapolis iTrader: (0)	Question of the day: how did you bend the control arm? __________________ 335i, sport pkg, 3 pedals, Blacked out, LED markers, OZ Ultraleggera wheels, Firestone Indy 500s, x-pipe, vibrant 1792, PE mod MHD stage 2+, BMS DPs, ARM charge pipe, Tial BOV, ARM FMIC, dual cone, CSF radiator, M3 control arms, sways, HAWK pads. https://www.strava.com/athletes/8309149 Follow me on Strava
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10-21-2015, 02:17 PM	#7
Jams_K Enlisted Member 2 Rep 32 Posts Drives: BMW 330D E91 LCI Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Wigan iTrader: (0)	Quick solution, buy front M3 control arms, both upper and lower. Have them fitted and wheels aligned and enjoy the improved handling. I did this to mine on Tuesday and it's night and day the difference. Turning into the corner is so much better, the car doesn't hesitate and is so much more enjoyable!
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10-22-2015, 04:44 AM	#8
BMSE92_Harry Captain 76 Rep 811 Posts Drives: 08 335i coupe Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Tampa iTrader: (0)	The rear control arm is another project of itself. But won't make any difference unless you change up the subframe bushing or add inserts.
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10-22-2015, 07:07 AM	#9
Fundguy1 Major General 2051 Rep 8,339 Posts Drives: 335 e93 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Orlando, fl iTrader: (0)	M3 control arms have more camber so expect less front tire life.
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10-22-2015, 11:13 AM	#10
ccbl Lieutenant 593 Rep 411 Posts Drives: AW E93 335i/Jerez E90 M3 6SP Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 BMW M3 [0.00]	^ can always get an alignment for that __________________ Instagram @luongspec
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10-23-2015, 09:29 PM	#14
The Maxican Hola 71 Rep 407 Posts Drives: E92 M3, Datsun 280Z Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Phoenix, AZ iTrader: (4)	Ended up buying just the fronts for now so i can fix my car. I'm installing them tomorrow night and taking it in for an alignment on sunday. What should i set the alignment specs too?
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