M3 front control arms (Upper and lower) - A couple of $hundred less than everywhere

[flinchy]

interesting

with M3/1M suspension, are the tops the same as non-M? is it only the rear that needs new parts to run ACTUAL M car shocks and springs/coilovers?

ED: and what about the front? the actual strut/spring i mean, i get that the control arms/sway bars etc. all bolt up fine, and considering the M3 front strut tower brace bolts on fine, i assume once you get the rear M suspension and front M suspension, you could buy a set of M3 suspension and it would all bolt up fine?

ED: this whole thread is about the front stuff cheaper (excluding the sway bar), so that's all covered - i still haven't bothered looking into the rear stuff, so this is all new to me for the most part

ED:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...00&hg=31&fg=10
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...03&hg=31&fg=10

identical in the diagram (unlessit's a highly innacurate diagram lol)

[sharkatron]

Hey flinchy - this rear camber link business sounds all too familiar. Do a search on clubsport coilovers - I created a thread on which Harold from hpa replied. I did send an email to KW re modified clubsport coilovers but unfortunately no reply

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by sharkatron

Hey flinchy - this rear camber link business sounds all too familiar. Do a search on clubsport coilovers - I created a thread on which Harold from hpa replied. I did send an email to KW re modified clubsport coilovers but unfortunately no reply

was it about getting the M3 rear camber link and the clubsports not fitting? i did a google/forum search on the part and came up with quite a few things

as far as i'm gathering now, when you get the rear camber link you go to actual M suspension due to the mounting points?

so if you're unfortunate enough to have already purchased coilovers for stock non-M.. then go to M3 camber links, you're pretty much sweet out of luck ?

ED: i sent a pm to harold@hpa a few minutes ago, if it turns out that with the rear camber link upgrade all you need is M suspension, i'm on that. lol.

[Nugget]

Good info in here. Thanks guys.

[sharkatron]

So... For example if I purchase a M coilover kit, I'd be able to use the m3 rear camber links? Is it that simple?

[sharkatron]

Originally Posted by Nugget

Good info in here. Thanks guys.

Props to flinchy - he seems to be tying all the loose ends I could only see, but not tie

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by sharkatron

Props to flinchy - he seems to be tying all the loose ends I could only see, but not tie

No worries
I figure i need to be sure for me, so why not be sure for everyone? - still not quite there just a couple more replies hah

Oh and
On the rear camber arm upgrade - harold @ hpa confirmed the rear shock has to be an m3 unit and the front remains oem spec.. Just finding out if they'll sell the coilovers i want in 2 separate styles (even if it costs me $50 more or something itd be ok)

[BMW86]

I just looked on the ECS site for the complete kit and couldn't find an M logo on any of the components http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/M3_C..._Arm/ES257469/

Seems overpriced for the TRW stuff. I wonder if Harold from HPA sells the M3 stamped suspension.

[BMW86]

BOOM! http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462

$515.

Would love to know if they are ///M stamped.

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by BMW86

BOOM! http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462

$515.

Would love to know if they are ///M stamped.

haha if i knew you were looking i coulda given you that link

they don't ship directly though - have to use shipito or priceUSA, which means first shipping to a conUSA address ($30ish) and slight broker fees (usually $20 i think?), it's basically identical and not worth the hassle, sorry ... the final pain in the ass bit is having to direct transfer monmey to priceUSA or shipito. totally trustworthy, i've even used priceUSA before myself for things from newegg, but i'm a fan of CC/paypal.

ED: and yeah, the pics of the OEBMW stuff ECS sells doesn't show you the side with the serial/stamp, but considering the price it'd have to be, it's identical to turners price.

[BMW86]

Originally Posted by flinchy

haha if i knew you were looking i coulda given you that link

they don't ship directly though - have to use shipito or priceUSA, which means first shipping to a conUSA address ($30ish) and slight broker fees (usually $20 i think?), it's basically identical and not worth the hassle, sorry ... the final pain in the ass bit is having to direct transfer monmey to priceUSA or shipito. totally trustworthy, i've even used priceUSA before myself for things from newegg, but i'm a fan of CC/paypal.

ED: and yeah, the pics of the OEBMW stuff ECS sells doesn't show you the side with the serial/stamp, but considering the price it'd have to be, it's identical to turners price.

Oh yeh I forgot they don't ship to Australia anymore. Using a freight forwarder would negate the savings. If I get confirmation from ECS that is probably the best bet.

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by BMW86

Oh yeh I forgot they don't ship to Australia anymore. Using a freight forwarder would negate the savings. If I get confirmation from ECS that is probably the best bet.

if you end up getting the OEBMW stuff and i get the TRW stuff, would be pretty easy to compare haha

[BMW86]

Originally Posted by flinchy

if you end up getting the OEBMW stuff and i get the TRW stuff, would be pretty easy to compare haha

Until Dackel stated otherwise, I always thought OEM was legit genuine stuff

I've ordered many things that are OEM, quality has always been very high.

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by BMW86

Until Dackel stated otherwise, I always thought OEM was legit genuine stuff

I've ordered many things that are OEM, quality has always been very high.

it really should be, i see no reason for one of the largest companies in the world to use the MAIN brand (aka, TRW is the 161'st largest company in the america) to sell inferior products, i'm sure if they wanted to sell their potentially inferior items they'd at least sell it under something else?

[ken1137]

Originally Posted by BMW86

I just looked on the ECS site for the complete kit and couldn't find an M logo on any of the components http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/M3_C..._Arm/ES257469/

Seems overpriced for the TRW stuff. I wonder if Harold from HPA sells the M3 stamped suspension.

I bought my kit from Harold @ HP and the 'M' stamp is on the parts.

[sharkatron]

Which set of coilovers are you looking at flinchy? So front is as per e82, but rear is m3/1m spec - correct?

[ECSTuning]

Originally Posted by BMW86

I just looked on the ECS site for the complete kit and couldn't find an M logo on any of the components http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/M3_Control_Arm/ES257469/

The lighting makes it hard to see, but here's one of the photos you can see the logo in (center ish of the part). That particular kit is all genuine BMW E9X M3 components specifically designed for the E9X non-Ms, but thanks to all the research yall have done I have linking it up with the 135 on my parts guys "to do" list.



James

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by sharkatron

Which set of coilovers are you looking at flinchy? So front is as per e82, but rear is m3/1m spec - correct?

I'm looking at BC Racing ER, cheaper than a lot of options like KW (i'd love ohlins though aha), and i've ridden in some other cars (evo's etc.) with them in and not an issue. few aussie members have them too no complaints.. heck, there's a few over on M3post, that speaks volumes if an M3 owner is willing to run them lol- yeah from what i've been told pretty clearly if you want to upgrade to the M3 rear camber link, the mounting point changes to the strut which only the M cars have..
The front strut remains E8x/E9x spec as the hub/brake/etc mounting point is totally different and the tube is a different diameter

Originally Posted by ECSTuning

The lighting makes it hard to see, but here's one of the photos you can see the logo in (center ish of the part). That particular kit is all genuine BMW E9X M3 components specifically designed for the E9X non-Ms, but thanks to all the research yall have done I have linking it up with the 135 on my parts guys "to do" list.



James

135/130/128/120... all the 1 series's, E82, E81, E87, E88 - i think the only part that doesn't fit on the 1er vert would be the sway bar (from memory) due to the additional chassis bracing (130i E87 owner here)


I still haven't received a reply from any TRW group with any confirmation of similarity or difference in quality between the ///M branded and TRW branded, only the reply from ECS stating they're the same

[ECSTuning]

Thanks flinchy! I'll let my guys know.

[flinchy]

All TRW aftermarket parts are designed and manufactured to TRW's original equipment standard.


TRW parts are tested to the limit, both in the lab and on the road for the highest quality.


I guess that answers the quality questions about trw branded parts?

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

There is a difference between OE and OEM.

OE are parts that are sold thru BMW.

OEM are parts that do not meet BMW standards but are sold for a lesser price, in the aftermarket world. What most people would call "seconds".


Many people do not realize that there IS a difference in parts. Even when they "look" the same. Like buying parts off of ebay... there IS a difference... even if the two parts "look" the same. This is why I would only buy parts from a BMW dealer.

"Hi Brendan,

The Original Equipemnt Part and the Aftermarket part are Completely Identical.

They are both produced by the same factory for TRW.

Regards TRW Aftermarket UK"

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by BMW86

Until Dackel stated otherwise, I always thought OEM was legit genuine stuff

I've ordered many things that are OEM, quality has always been very high.

As inthe above post - thought you might be interested too


Guess that's the last bit of info i can possibly get on the matter (that i can think of at least lol)

- i can't double quote in the iphone app