M3 Wishbone Only Control Arm Review

[NewDirection]

Hello everyone,

Yesterday I installed one pair of the TRW M3 control arms on my 2008 135i with 74,000kms on it, the ones referred to as the wishbones. The car rides on Michelin Pilot Super Sports in stock size with about half their life left in them.

I did this in conjunction with removing the front strut alignment pin for some additional camber. The purpose of this modification was to be able to increase camber at the front wheels. Part numbers were:

TRW JTC1426
TRW JTC1427

The cost (all in CAD, ON sales tax included):
$225 for the two control arms (L&R) + $35 for headlight leveling rod + $0.41 for a new M10 retaining nut for the levelling rod.
$135 for an alignment
3.5 hrs of my own labour for install

I was curious how much of a difference the increase in camber could make on a purely spiritedly street driven car, and whether it is worth it.

The answer: an immense and totally worth it difference. This is NOT a track only mod, the difference is clearly felt during turns and on on/off-ramps. The car is much more eager to turn and the increased grip and confidence in turns is remarkable.

I highly recommend this for anyone with one of these cars. I hate to use this cliche, but this is how the car should have come from the factory. I can't believe how shit it was before.

Next, I will install the other 2 arms, known as the tension struts, and review those as well.

[fast1eddy]

The tension struts do increase NVH quite a bit. I removed mine. Your results may vary. Roads are shit In Edmonton. Do the RSBF bushings if you haven't already. They make an equally impressive improvement.

[NewDirection]

Originally Posted by fast1eddy

The tension struts do increase NVH quite a bit.

I have little tolerance for increased NVH on this car so I'm going with Meyle HD tension struts, which are apparently better than stock but not as rough as the M3. I will definitely remove and go back to stock if NVH add is significant.

RSFB are next, but likely next season. Gotta try to stay on budget.

[ShocknAwe]

Dampers are a must do item before adding the TS.

[Afam28]

What exactly does nvh mean?

[lemansblau135is]

noise, vibration, harshness

[NewDirection]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Dampers are a must do item before adding the TS.

How come? I was going to install Koni Special Active (replacement for FSD) but didn't this year due to budget reasons.

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by NewDirection

How come? I was going to install Koni Special Active (replacement for FSD) but didn't this year due to budget reasons.

NVH. Stock dampers are underdamped and belong in the trash if you have nRFT rubber.

[Fakemike]

So was going to get the 4 piece control arm kit to install with my new Koni dampers and Eibach springs.

Do I need all 4 pieces? or should I get just the middle 2 arms (part # mentioned above)?



And would I benefit from the Dinan camber plates?

Sorry to thread jack

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by Fakemike

So was going to get the 4 piece control arm kit to install with my new Koni dampers and Eibach springs.

Do I need all 4 pieces? or should I get just the middle 2 arms (part # mentioned above)?



And would I benefit from the Dinan camber plates?

Sorry to thread jack

DOOO EEET

[Fakemike]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

DOOO EEET

All 4? or just the middle 2 pieces?

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by Fakemike

All 4? or just the middle 2 pieces?

All 5! Esp if you've done konis. You need the headlight rod too.

[fast1eddy]

Originally Posted by Fakemike

So was going to get the 4 piece control arm kit to install with my new Koni dampers and Eibach springs.

Do I need all 4 pieces? or should I get just the middle 2 arms (part # mentioned above)?



And would I benefit from the Dinan camber plates?

Sorry to thread jack

Looks like you're in Florida so your roads aren't bad I'm guessing so I'd do all 4. The roads here get ravaged by winter and are shit pretty much year round.

[NewDirection]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

NVH. Stock dampers are underdamped and belong in the trash if you have nRFT rubber.

Good point, I'll hold off on installing until I have the new dampers then,

Thanks for the advice

[NewDirection]

Originally Posted by Fakemike

All 4? or just the middle 2 pieces?

I did just the middle 3 and was very happy. I will review the remaining 2 once I install them but that will likely be next year.

Also remember that for the remaining 2 you have options: M3 or Meyle Hd.

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by NewDirection

I did just the middle 3 and was very happy. I will review the remaining 2 once I install them but that will likely be next year.

Also remember that for the remaining 2 you have options: M3 or Meyle Hd.

Meyle HD products are too hit or miss. Since there's an M3 option from TRW available If just stick with that for cheap insurance.

[NewDirection]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Meyle HD products are too hit or miss. Since there's an M3 option from TRW available If just stick with that for cheap insurance.

I read about the Meyle HD tie rods being hit or miss, but not the control arms. Have ppl had bad experiences with them as well?

[N54Yankee]

Did the front TRW arms about 5 years ago and like the OP said it makes for a very nice improvement over stock. Arms, knocking out pins and a bit of neg camber really diminishes understeer a noticeable amount.
For those thinking about not doing the uppers, both the upper and lower arms have stiffer( better) bushings then the OE. You’re older bushings are likely pretty beat up from use now anyway. You can certainly feel the quicker response with the tightened up steering.

[asbrr]

I'm in Toronto, most roads are pretty shit, and I did notice a significant increase in harshness over bumps with the full set of 5 M3 control arms. I also have a B12 suspension but that was already installed so the only change was the arms.

Having said that, the increase in steering response and crispness of the front end is also significant. I'll live with the harshness I guess....in hindsight I would not have done it and just stuck with OEM replacements as I don't track my car anymore and I already had Dinan camber plates for decent front end grip. I only replaced the arms as my old bushings were worn and I had a bad front end shake under braking due to that.

[Lucky1]

Replaced the RFTs 8 years ago and this thread reminds me that for the entire time since then my car hasn't driven with the same sharpness in feel and turn in since then, so much lost time and opportunity...