Stock vs M3 thrust arms on 135i, need some input

aresfiend · 05-12-2023, 10:21 PM

Long story short, I have a bad front right thrust arm. The lower control arms are significantly newer than the thrust arms (at least from what I can tell). Are the M3 thrust arms compatible with the 135i lower control arms or will they have incompatible geometry?

JustAnotherSportsCar · 05-13-2023, 10:01 AM

I believe the odd looking arm (the furthest forward one) is identical to the regular 135, aside from the bushing. It should be compatible with the standard setup, just stiffer. It is the other arm that changes the geometry slightly, and also stiffens the front.

aresfiend · 05-13-2023, 10:02 AM

That's what I thought, I just didn't have them side by side and knowing my luck they added another twist or turn that I didn't pick out.

Thank you!

fast1eddy · 05-17-2023, 09:54 AM

The M3 thrust arm is compatible. I had them on my car along with the M3 control arms. The M3 thrust arms add steering feel and precision along with better front end stability during heavy braking. However they do increase NVH. With the shitty roads I drive on I had to switch them back to stock. If you have decent roads where you live I’d recommend them.

aresfiend · 05-21-2023, 04:20 PM

I absolutely don't have good roads by me haha! But I already have a decent set of coilovers, urethane bushings in a couple places, a previous owner did the M3 rear subframe bushings, so I might as well. I already have the M3 thrust arms in as of a couple hours ago and in the last week the ball joint boots on the control arms have went, so I'll probably be getting M3 control arms in very very soon.

05-12-2023, 10:21 PM	#1
aresfiend New Member 26 Rep 25 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 135i Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Duluth, MN, USA iTrader: (0)	Stock vs M3 thrust arms on 135i, need some input Long story short, I have a bad front right thrust arm. The lower control arms are significantly newer than the thrust arms (at least from what I can tell). Are the M3 thrust arms compatible with the 135i lower control arms or will they have incompatible geometry?
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05-13-2023, 10:01 AM	#2
JustAnotherSportsCar Private First Class 75 Rep 111 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 135i E88 Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: Iowa iTrader: (0)	I believe the odd looking arm (the furthest forward one) is identical to the regular 135, aside from the bushing. It should be compatible with the standard setup, just stiffer. It is the other arm that changes the geometry slightly, and also stiffens the front.
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05-13-2023, 10:02 AM	#3
aresfiend New Member 26 Rep 25 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 135i Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Duluth, MN, USA iTrader: (0)	That's what I thought, I just didn't have them side by side and knowing my luck they added another twist or turn that I didn't pick out. Thank you!
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05-17-2023, 09:54 AM	#4
fast1eddy First Lieutenant 270 Rep 367 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Lemans Blue Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Edmonton iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 135i [0.00] [0.00]	The M3 thrust arm is compatible. I had them on my car along with the M3 control arms. The M3 thrust arms add steering feel and precision along with better front end stability during heavy braking. However they do increase NVH. With the shitty roads I drive on I had to switch them back to stock. If you have decent roads where you live I’d recommend them.
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05-21-2023, 04:20 PM	#5
aresfiend New Member 26 Rep 25 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 135i Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Duluth, MN, USA iTrader: (0)	I absolutely don't have good roads by me haha! But I already have a decent set of coilovers, urethane bushings in a couple places, a previous owner did the M3 rear subframe bushings, so I might as well. I already have the M3 thrust arms in as of a couple hours ago and in the last week the ball joint boots on the control arms have went, so I'll probably be getting M3 control arms in very very soon.
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