Best Rear Lower Control Arms for under $200?

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

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.



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

I'm a midget..

Spc

I'm glad this sparked a discussion. For me, I ride at stock height and with stock camber. So I guess OEM is for me. But for other guys, these looks great. Especially the $400 UUC ones that look indestructable. But like badfast said, here in Pittsburgh, shitty roads are predominant. Last thing I want to do is mess up my daily driver over a bad choice. It might not even be, but I'd rather not take the chance and have to worry. If I go OEM, then I'll replace it and be done with it. $88 sure beats $200 too.

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.

Oh and btw, lets say these units "collapse" just like OE arms do, what's the benefit again if you're able to get the adjustment range you need w/ stock?

Originally Posted by E46Mango

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.

Are you off do your meds?
Who the Hell was talking to you?
This was a sideline conversation between me and Bedfast. The clue here is that I asked him a question, and he answered it. We shared a joke. No one mentioned Mango, or any other fruit.
I realize that this will be hard to grasp, so you may want to read it slowly, but not every discussion is about you. It's funny that you assumed it was, though.
Now this may come as a surprise to you, but your input is not the ultimate authority for me, and the way you attack people is not at all welcome. If you want to join a conversation with me, don't walk in with your a$$ on your shoulders. You and I have never had a problem, but I will say this once - I am not one of these idiots who will sit here and let you abuse them. I am not going to get into one of those back and forth arguements you like so much, while you get more and more irrational.
I am just going to simply say that if you want to join a conversation with me, don't lead off with one of your hysterical posts, bragging about your standards. If that is what you want, then go find another post to insert yourself into. And don't act this way with me ever again.
You can continue your arguement if you want, but I am not going to participate, so it will just be you in here, playing with yourself.

I would go with tms rear lower control arms. They're adjustable and a little more expensive but they are stronger than then OE control arms, they aren't as flimsy and you can still retain stock alignment. I would rather spend an extra 100 for nice ones.

Originally Posted by Pete_repete

I would go with tms rear lower control arms. They're adjustable and a little more expensive but they are stronger than then OE control arms, they aren't as flimsy and you can still retain stock alignment. I would rather spend an extra 100 for nice ones.

OP already bought stock arms. They're light and effective. Although if I was going to do any aftermarket arm, I'd go with a reputable motorsports vendor such as TMS as opposed to godspeed racing or whatever they offer in bright red.

My rear camber is plenty negative with factory arms and haven't noticed any problem with deflection under load. I suppose the plates TMS offers would be the quickest solution and would be a cake walk for any competent welder

Yes sir. I was checking those plates out at well. I think I might do them, if the roads get too rough around here. But for now, OE Lemforder is the best buy. Reasons mentioned above. Thanks Mango, and to all.

Originally Posted by Pete_repete

I would go with tms rear lower control arms. They're adjustable and a little more expensive but they are stronger than then OE control arms, they aren't as flimsy and you can still retain stock alignment. I would rather spend an extra 100 for nice ones.

Is your car lowered? Is that why you are looking at adjustable control arms? Or, do you already have the TMS arms? If so, do you like them? Were you able to get the adjustment you needed? I did not see anything on their site about them being designed to collapse in an impact, like the stock arms do, so that made me hesitate a bit. I always like feedback from people who actually have the parts, so I can hear what their experience was like.

Originally Posted by MJLavelle

Is your car lowered? Is that why you are looking at adjustable control arms? Or, do you already have the TMS arms? If so, do you like them? Were you able to get the adjustment you needed? I did not see anything on their site about them being designed to collapse in an impact, like the stock arms do, so that made me hesitate a bit. I always like feedback from people who actually have the parts, so I can hear what their experience was like.

I have the tms arms on my e46 m3 right now, when I bought the car, I noticed one arm was bent and I had the same arms on my previous e36 m3 and I loved them. I have not heard of them collapsing on an impact. With the tms arms you get plenty of adjustment, I'm not sure of the numbers but there is definetly plenty adjustment. I would recommend them. If you do buy them, get the bushing end, this helps with harshness and noise.