Author Topic: Opinions on control arms kit (Read 4070 times)

vonkamp · « **on:** May 01, 2008, 09:22:51 PM »

I have to change out my brakes and rotors and thought while I'm at it I might as well go a little further. I found this deal on eBay and was wondering if it would be any good. My car is a DD, no track use. Or would I be better off going OEM..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250242423159&ih=015&category=33583

Letsplayskatch · « **Reply #1 on:** May 02, 2008, 10:07:44 AM »

At that price its most definateley non-OEM and i would personally not go near it really, unless its an uprated performance part. But, if you were to upgrade id defiantely go for this set-up, parts wise.
Take down the P/Ns they have there and get OEM tierods, OEMcontrol arms and OEM drop links. Go for Powerflex if you want polyeurathane busings, and use the M3's eccentric ones. They improve caster, which will improve high speed stability and general chassis stability when conering at mid-high speeds.
You'll also need a wheel alignment after, too. A good one will cost about �100 ($200 ish).
DOne properly, and you car will be much improved

vonkamp · « **Reply #2 on:** May 02, 2008, 06:09:02 PM »

Thanks, yea I think I'll pass on that one. I like the kit concept though, I'm going for the brake kit on Turner Motorsport. So I can go with the M3 eccentric bushings without getting the M3 control arms?

Letsplayskatch · « **Reply #3 on:** May 02, 2008, 06:20:24 PM »

Yeah, the bushes will fit right on. If going with the powerflex ones [which i reccommend], just use plenty of rubber grease. Thats rubber grease, as normal grease is different.

Cristian G in Oz · « **Reply #4 on:** May 04, 2008, 10:25:09 PM »

One of the guys in my club here in Sydney ordered a set for an E34 535i form these guys.

He said it was great. Good quality came with all the right bits and price was unbeatable.

By the way, he is also a very discerning buyer of parts for his cars as he has teh fastest NA E24 in the club and does all the work himself.

I am looking at buying this kit on his reccomendation.

Cristian

hoevesruperd · « **Reply #5 on:** May 04, 2008, 10:34:10 PM »

i bought M54 coils from them guys. the transaction was done in good manners, no complaints about their business at all.

r0ckrat · « **Reply #6 on:** May 12, 2008, 06:45:43 PM »

There is no difference between M3 and regular E30 control arms per se. There are aluminum and steel E30 control arms (the M3 came with the aluminum parts, the rest used steel). If you get aluminum, there is a much shorter replacement schedule than with steel. At a heavy premium in cost. Substantial unsprung weight difference, but if it's a DD and not a dedicated track car, the lifespan of alum. arms makes the cost/benefit ratio awful. (The consensus in the M3 crowd was to replace the alum. arms every 2 years or so on a dedicated track car. 3 on a DD. Or use steel for an extra year on track, or twice the interval for street.)

Cristian G in Oz · « **Reply #7 on:** May 12, 2008, 09:25:52 PM »

I think the M3 stuff they are referring to is the offset bushes not the arms. When I ordered my stuff the alloy arms were still considerably more expensive than the steel ones.

As for the M3 alloy arm thing, the Group A E30 M3 I look after has modified steel arms on it. The only problem we have had is the mod for the rose joint has worn a little following an accident this year. Al the ball joints are still sound and we have been running this car in this configuration for over 5 years now.