suggestions please - front lower control arms/bushings needed; shocks too maybe
 

hi guys - my mechanic said there is a lot of play in the front control arm bushings.
on ebay i see a bunch of kits about $100.
not sure which i should be looking for here.

Also, what are good replacement shocks? thinking bilstein but haven't researched yet.

thanks!

You have some decisions before you decide on LCABs.
Solid centered, Solid concentric. Stock.
Concentric will effect alignment.

Can't go wrong with Bilsteins.

As '96 said you have some decisions to make. Use bushings to fit how you want to use the car.
Solid bushings will make the suspension a little firmer. You may notice the feel, but it will keep the control arms from moving under cornering forces.
Offset bushings will add caster to the front. That is advertised to promote stability, but caster will also camber the wheels in the direction of steering. (think of extended forks on a bike as an extreme example) I used offset bushings as an autocross tweak.
Offset bushings are round on the outside, so they don't have to be installed horizontal. I installed mine angled up a little to add a little anti-dive.

I have Bilstein sports and like them.
Also while you're changing shocks, you can swap the strut bushings left to right. The offset in the strut bushings will give a little negative camber that way for free. ;-)

I went with e30 m3 LCA bushings. Stock control arms. And bilstien struts. Might go with koni ones next

Please remember to update on your research and decision here. I will be doing the same thing in a few months time and since you've got this going already I'd be interested in where you end up.

Thanks.

This if for my daily driver, so I'm thinking I can use the centered bushings.

Front control arms, leaning between these two:

1) $255 - Bav Auto Control Arm Set - Left And Right Meyle HD Arms - With Centered Powerflex Urethane Street Bushings:

http://www.bavauto.com/assets/imglib...kitm_img03.jpg

2) $225 - Turner Complete Front Control Arm Upgrade With Solid Rubber Bushings - E36, Z3 - Meyle HD

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/imag...eyle_hd_lg.jpg

My only question on the Turner is they offer an option for an add'l $186 "pre-installed with new brackets". I don't know what they are referring to.

For the Bilsteins ( Left front Part # : 35-044000 , Part # : 35-044017, Part # : 24-020282 ) :
1) BAV Auto has HD shock for $580 purchased separately because I don't see a package deal for all 4 (fronts $200, rears $90)
2) Turner HD version for $566

Jumping in here and I didn't read the entire thread.

Bimmerworld has the best prices for Meyle HD control arms + centered Powerflex bushings. I think it is $205 plus shipping. You don't need new brackets as long as you get the old bushings out of the original brackets. If you have a shop press, just press the old ones out. I didn't and just cut up the rubber and then sawzall'd the metal bushing sleeve. More time consuming but it was free to me.

I'm running Bilstein Sport shocks with Bav Auto springs and find the ride fine. I got them used and am not regretting it one bit.

thanks miniz guy - i see the Meyle HD arms for $215 with powerflex bushings (centered or offset) or $220 with solid center offset. do you guys have a preference between powerflex and solid rubber?

I guess i'm leaning now towards the offset poly powerflex version

You might like solid rubber better for a daily driver.

Just replaced front calipers and pads/rotors.
new rotors / pads in the rear.
Bought the BimmerWorld E30/E36/Z3 Front Suspension Overhaul Kit:

• Meyle HD front control arms
• Bushing Set Type: Solid Rubber, Offset
• Include Tie Rod Assemblies

Hope to get it installed next week

Sounds like a good choice.

I guess offset is the way to go? I haven't seen much talking about the downsides to the increased caster.

Seems to get very complicated very quickly though.

The caster may bring the wheels too close to the front bumper. I'm not sure if that is 100% right as I don't know which way the offset bushings move caster to. You may need to get the M3 strut tops to fix that.

I had no clearance problem when the offaet bushings were installed, using either Ronal or M3 Contour wheels with 225/45R17 tires.

i'm not doing the install; my local shop is. they are pretty good.
Do i need to tell them anything special, especially in regards to the offset bushings?
they will also do alignment but i read there isn't much to adjust.
i'll ask to set toe to zero; is that good?
thanks!