FrankyGoes
12-27-2008, 01:27 AM
I was looking to replace my control arms with the E30 Lemforders to stiffen the feel of the front end and was proposed the following from Bavauto. It makes sense except I have no information on Meyle and this particular solution.
Anyone care to share experiences or opinions ?
Thanks
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We have not installed E30 arms on an E36 ourselves, but I have heard of it being done. The geometry is nearly identical (if not completely identical, you can't tell putting them side by side) but they have solid outer ball joints instead of the nylon sleeved outer ball joints on the E36. But the E30 was designed for 14 inch wheels and had a lot less unsprung weight to deal with so the ball joints are smaller too. Shortly after we heard of people putting these arms on E36's the Meyle heavy duty control arms for E36's were introduced. These have a proper E36 sized outer ball joint, but they are a solid style like those on the E30 725/726 arms. These would be a better choice.
http://www.bavauto.com/assets/product_images/bushings/31_12_1_140957m.jpg
(click to see more) Control Arm - Left - Meyle
Designed for motorsports, Meyle’s full-metal ball joint eliminates the failure-prone plastic of the stock ball joint. This is the complete control arm, with the Meyle full-metal ball joint already installed.Part # : 31 12 1 140957M $ 99.95
Anyone care to share experiences or opinions ?
Thanks
----------
We have not installed E30 arms on an E36 ourselves, but I have heard of it being done. The geometry is nearly identical (if not completely identical, you can't tell putting them side by side) but they have solid outer ball joints instead of the nylon sleeved outer ball joints on the E36. But the E30 was designed for 14 inch wheels and had a lot less unsprung weight to deal with so the ball joints are smaller too. Shortly after we heard of people putting these arms on E36's the Meyle heavy duty control arms for E36's were introduced. These have a proper E36 sized outer ball joint, but they are a solid style like those on the E30 725/726 arms. These would be a better choice.
http://www.bavauto.com/assets/product_images/bushings/31_12_1_140957m.jpg
(click to see more) Control Arm - Left - Meyle
Designed for motorsports, Meyle’s full-metal ball joint eliminates the failure-prone plastic of the stock ball joint. This is the complete control arm, with the Meyle full-metal ball joint already installed.Part # : 31 12 1 140957M $ 99.95