control arm/bushing combo
 

What's the best control arm/bushing combo for a regular 318ti (no 6-cylinder swap)?

Do I want to get a 96+ m3 control arms and the 95 offset bushings? Will this combo promote a more 50/50 weight distribution? Current weight distribution is about 55/45, right?

Do the e30 aluminum control arms make that much of a difference in responsiveness since they are about half the weight of steel one (even though they cost 2-4x of the e36 ones)?

Or is there some other combo that is reasonably cheap that I won't have to realign my car over?

Does changing the control arms and bushings really make a difference or is the swap going to make me really frustrated without much improvement? So far my handling upgrades are: e46 RSMs (which I felt were a waste of money), 3.73 e30 lsd, and a m coupe rear swaybar.

I'd say go for the 96+ M3 solid, centered LCAB's. I put them on my stock 318ti and I couldn't be happier. Just looking at the solid piece of rubber in comparision to the regular bushings that have huge gaps in them, it's obvious that there will be less movement with the M3 ones. Ride is minimally, if any harsher, and I bet they last longer too. I have the aluminum e30 arms on my 330ti, and yes they are pretty, but I don't think they justify 2-3x the cost.

I've got the 96+ M3 bushings as well and I think they are good. I couldn't really tell a difference in ride quality, but the steering felt much more direct, and a bit more firm. A very good change IMO.

the reduction of unspring weight using the aluminum control arms shouldn't net you much. i think the metal ball joints and solid bushings would give better gains for less money. i'm going to look at poly control arm bushings the next time, but that may well add some harshness to the ride. i can say that the e30 m3 offset bushings i used when they were replaced the first time did not add any noticeable harshness to the ride.

Another old post I am responding to, but just want to confirm things. I need new front control arm bushings, and this post for bushings at brackets popped up this morning on craigs. $50 from a 97 e36 M3. http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/pts/2728464627.html

Am I good to go with picking these up for replacement. I wouldn't need to change anything else out, right? Thanks, Eric

I wouldn't go to the trouble of replacing these with used parts. You don't have to buy new brackets if you have access to the tools(or a friend with the tools) to press the old bushings out and press the new ones in. You can get brand new bushings, either stock or urethane for not much more than that.

excellent, thanks.