Proper pictures of Meyle HD control arms w/ pressed-on bushings

I just finished with these. There were absolutely no decent pictures of these floating around online so if you've ever wondered exactly what these look like, wonder no more! I have the raw originals to these pics, so if you do share them, that's fine, as long as you give me credit (especially if you're a vendor)

They're a little rough around the edges, but I don't have BMW control arms to compare them to so my opinion is just a preliminary judgment. Also take note on how far the bushings are pressed onto the arm. The nub of the arm barely sticks out and does not protrude beyond the round bushing casing. This should give DIYers a good idea on how far these bushings should go on the control arm.

Another concern I have (non-related to quality) is that these arms aren't compatible with sport package. I saw ONE post from one dude in 2009 where he says he called Meyle and they said these would create "dangerous handling" on a sport-packaged E46. I have NO idea how that's even possible as there would be nothing different about the geometry of a sport and non-sport E46. If someone can confirm they installed these on a sport packaged vehicle, I'd feel better. (my car has Bilsteins/H&Rs anyway) By the way, these were from oembimmerparts.com for $350 shipped. I ordered Tuesday and got them the next day.

Equipment used:

Canon 5D
Canon 35-80mm lens from the 1990s ($25 on ebay)
430EX


Onto the photos:

Nice pics and good write up.


That lens kicks ass too

Thank you hehe. It sure does. You wont find a single review on the lens either. Nobody even cares to mention this lens since its so "shitty"

Quality looks great or maybe it's the camera overpowering the crappy lens

full frame definitely "boosts" crappy lens performance.

is there any DIY on changing your on arm control and bushing ?

Yes, the DIY section of the forum.

Yes. Search

BMP design chanel on YouTube.

Oh yeah, and if you need to remove the bushing mount from the control arm.... here's a message from our sponsor

I never heard anything about them not being compatible with cars with ZSP... too late now anyways, as I've installed them on my car and I'm sure many others have, too.

Originally Posted by E46Mango

Another concern I have (non-related to quality) is that these arms aren't compatible with sport package. I saw ONE post from one dude in 2009 where he says he called Meyle and they said these would create "dangerous handling" on a sport-packaged E46. I have NO idea how that's even possible as there would be nothing different about the geometry of a sport and non-sport E46.

I'm actually looking into this right now, and there seems to be a design change at 09/2001. At the moment, we think the motion of the control arm might interfere with reinforcement plate depending upon the model.

I've had Melye HD's with Powerflex urethane bushings on my 2002 (build date 09/2001) 330Ci Sport suspension since mid 2007. I have nearly 75,000 miles on them since I put them on. I have never experienced "dangerous handling" IMO and I've driven very aggressively on this setup.

Originally Posted by TitaniumCranium

I've had Melye HD's with Powerflex urethane bushings on my 2002 (build date 09/2001) 330Ci Sport suspension since mid 2007. I have nearly 75,000 miles on them since I put them on. I have never experienced "dangerous handling" IMO and I've driven very aggressively on this setup.

I also have a late model build 2001 car (07/2001), technically it's a 2001 but I haven't noticed any adverse effects either.

Originally Posted by mach.schnell

At the moment, we think the motion of the control arm might interfere with reinforcement plate depending upon the model.

Nope. That ain't it.

I've been tracking down various part numbers for the ZHP suspension kit tagged with a from date of 09/2001 and which BMW NA swears will not fit my car (which is admittedly a 'vert).

For the 330Cic 08/00 and 09/01, the part numbers are identical for the:

Axle
Reinforcement Plate
Left & Right King Pin
Left & Right Standard Strut
Even the Left & Right Standard Wishbone part numbers are identical.
In addition, the left and Right Tie Rods are the exact same from 09/1998 on.

Given this I don't see why BMW says the sport (i.e. metal ball joint) wishbones for 09/01 can't be used, even though there are no "sport" wishbones listed for ZSP cars before 11/00.

The Steering Rack does change over time:
32136753438 From 04/1999 To 04/2001
32136755065 From 04/2001 To 09/2001
32136757651 From 09/2001
But how any changes in the rack would have an impact on metal v. non-metal ball joints is beyond me, especially since none of these parts are part of any separate "sports suspension" package listing.

So maybe the front sway bar is the problem? (Nope)
08/00 Std Stabilizer bar 31351097178 (no dates)
08/00 Sports Suspension 31351094542 (no dates)
08/00 Front swing support 31356780847
11/00 Exact same
04/01 Exact same
09/11 EXACT same
09/11 Suspension retrofit kit EXACT same (noting that no Front swing support is part of this)

So the front sway bar parts have nothing to do with it.

Finally, the sports package wishbones for 09/01 are exactly the same ones as in the retro-fit sport package kit. But get this - RealOEM has different "From dates" !!! (for the same part).

When listed in the performance retro fit kit, the sport wishbones 31122282121 & 31122282122 have a "From date" of 09/01. But when the exact same parts are looked at on the regular individual parts diagram, they are tagged with a "From date" of 11/00.

This tells me the metal ball joint wishbones were first mfg. in 11/00, and the kit was put together in 09/11, and the dates really have nothing to do with actual fitment, but that BMW is date-anal.

The only thing left is the front coil spring: for which ALL of the different mfg. dates say "contact your dealer" since it's obvious the springs have to be matched with the front struts, which is why vendors of the retro-kit say you need to "upgrade your springs" since springs aren't in the kit, but different struts are. (So follow your favorite "tuner's" advice.)

So... my current suspicions are that BMW (and hence Meyle) can't legally say the metal ball joint wishbones will work on earlier mfg. cars even if they do, because no federal NHTSA tests were "retro" done for these ZSP cars.

I hope to have the 08/00 ZSP 'vert wishbones physically measured against the ZHP 09/01 wishbones to see if there are any actual dimensional differences between the parts. Stay tuned for the results (if anyone cares).

PS: OP sorry if this seems a thread hijack, but I thought the Meyle comment on "dangerous handling" should be addressed, and if there isn't any why on the BMW side, it would seem Meyle is just spouting the party line.

PPS: Great pics.


EDIT: Thanks for the anecdotes guys, but the cut off date seems to be for cars before 11/2000, and since all your build dates are later, the metal ball joints pose no theoretical problems.

Ok my model year is a 2002 and build date 12/01. Anybody use this on a 12/01 build date or later? The reinforcement plate thing would make sense but I'm sure you guys with 9/01 build dates (MY02) have the aluminum plate (as opposed to the bar)

Build date 04/2001 with aluminum reinforcement plate below, mayle controls arms and bushings for over 80k as good as new

Very nice! Reassuring. I hope these take care of my vibrations. I have a feeling my drivers side balljoints are loose. Not sure.

Build date 02/02. I have the the Meyle arms and powerflex bushings ( RTABs also )......also have the plate not the bar. Over 10k miles, and still loving them, except for a slight squeek when you get in and out of the car.

Is Meyle better than OEMs?