Best Rear Lower Control Arms for under $200?

As the title says. What is the best rear lower control arm for under $200? Why? How long have you had it? Noisy? Quiet? Where did you buy from? How does the adjustable part work? I want stock camber. With these arms, does the camber fall out of alignment easily?

used stock

Originally Posted by E46Mango

used stock

I beg to differ.

Originally Posted by Sweetness

I beg to differ.

and why is that, exactly?

this will be fun.

Originally Posted by E46Mango

and why is that, exactly?

this will be fun.

More adjustability, stronger, lighter, looks better.

Originally Posted by Sweetness

More adjustability, stronger, lighter, looks better.

1) You said you wanted to retain stock camber. What exactly are you adjusting and why?

2) Stronger--exactly how would stronger be better? (I know why this isn't true, but will reserve my answer for later)

3) Lighter? How so?

4) Looks? These aren't civics. The underbody should be hidden as much as possible.

ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E36-E46-...1e6d93&vxp=mtr

In the end it is just a rear control arm. I have the same type on mine except blue. They have held up to track days. I purchased the cheap ebay ones after my AKG Motorsport ones seized.

Originally Posted by badfast

ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E36-E46-...1e6d93&vxp=mtr

In the end it is just a rear control arm. I have the same type on mine except blue. They have held up to track days. I purchased the cheap ebay ones after my AKG Motorsport ones seized.

What exactly do you mean when you say the AKG arms seized? Which model did you have? I was looking at these recently, so I am interested in exactly what went wrong with them, and the particular model you had. Thanks!

Originally Posted by 777eThOd*

Yeah your kinda right. That's a ground shot.

Is that how you and everyone look at your car? I can stand next to mine and walk around and never see them. It is no surprise they can be seen when you are under the car....because they are under the car.

Originally Posted by MJLavelle

What exactly do you mean when you say the AKG arms seized? Which model did you have? I was looking at these recently, so I am interested in exactly what went wrong with them, and the particular model you had. Thanks!

I could not longer adjust the camber. It was mostly because of the **** on the roads during winter. They are great arms. I would say get them if that is what you want.

But beware having those arms may cause your car to explode killing everyone in a half mile radius. j/k

Originally Posted by badfast

I could not longer adjust the camber. It was mostly because of the **** on the roads during winter. They are great arms. I would say get them if that is what you want.

But beware having those arms may cause your car to explode killing everyone in a half mile radius. j/k

Well, if you read their description, they are designed to collapse like the OEM arms, so they may not be the time bomb that the "OEM or nothing" crowd thinks they are.
Thanks for the info!

Originally Posted by MJLavelle

Well, if you read their description, they are designed to collapse like the OEM arms, so they may not be the time bomb that the "OEM or nothing" crowd thinks they are.
Thanks for the info!

Designed by whom, exactly?

Yeah. That's right.

It's not to do with "OEM or nothing" as my entire suspension is mostly aftermarket. It has to do with quality or nothing. Sorry, but I'm not trusting some rinky dink generic crap made by K1 racing or whatever name they use. If you want to try units from Turners or Vorshlag, then sure. But those units might cost more.

Anyway the stock arms provide plenty of adjustment. If you need more than 2.5 degrees of negative camber, then have at it. AFAIK, the stock units can go quite far (more than 2.5)

And again, reminder: OP wanted to retain stock camber.

Hmm interesting. Thanks. And yes, MangoMax, I don't want them to stick out, but I want them to be like a nice pair of socks that become visible when the suit leg rises up when I sit down. And I guess it is just a control arm. Maybe stock would the safest. Seems like these things aren't too durable

They are plenty durable. They're both strong AND weak where they need to be. Guess what happens to your solid aftermarket control arm when you strike a curb...

Nothing. That's the problem.

As far as stiffening the stock arm for track purposes, there's reinforcement kits you can weld on. basically consists of a few sheets of metal you weld on. bracing.

Seems like you just want to buy it for the sake of having it. Totally unnecessary and the stock arms are 100x better IMO than any aftermarket junk.

Originally Posted by E46Mango

They are plenty durable. They're both strong AND weak where they need to be. Guess what happens to your solid aftermarket control arm when you strike a curb...

Nothing. That's the problem.

As far as stiffening the stock arm for track purposes, there's reinforcement kits you can weld on. basically consists of a few sheets of metal you weld on. bracing.

Seems like you just want to buy it for the sake of having it. Totally unnecessary and the stock arms are 100x better IMO than any aftermarket junk.

That's an odd claim to make. Stock arms are fine for stock purposes, but once you require the need for adjustment the stock arms use becomes limited. The arm isn't stiffened for track purposes as the arm isn't a high stress item. The flimsy stock arms are a testament to that.

Originally Posted by badfast

That's an odd claim to make. Stock arms are fine for stock purposes, but once you require the need for adjustment the stock arms use becomes limited. The arm isn't stiffened for track purposes as the arm isn't a high stress item. The flimsy stock arms are a testament to that.

OP said he wanted to retain stock camber.

Originally Posted by badfast

That's an odd claim to make. Stock arms are fine for stock purposes, but once you require the need for adjustment the stock arms use becomes limited. The arm isn't stiffened for track purposes as the arm isn't a high stress item. The flimsy stock arms are a testament to that.

Oh and by the way, please do your research before making a claim.

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-11...ement-kit.aspx

Found brand new Lemforders for $88 together at FCP Euro. Thanks Mango.

sweetness, out

Godspeed Adjustable Control Arms are hefty and cheap.

OP already made a wise choice by getting OE spec arms. Aftermarket solid arms are a waste of money and honestly dangerous to your car and potentially you. Plus they look trashy

Originally Posted by E46Mango

Oh and by the way, please do your research before making a claim.

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-11...ement-kit.aspx

Originally Posted by E46Mango

OP already made a wise choice by getting OE spec arms. Aftermarket solid arms are a waste of money and honestly dangerous to your car and potentially you. Plus they look trashy

I will take my many years of actual track experience. Thanks though.

Something that can't be seen is trashy looking?

How are solid arms a waste of money and dangerous? Some people require the adjustment they provide. Because they don't support your needs doesn't mean they don't support the needs of someone else.