E46 318i Control Arms : Aftermarket Quality ?
Discussion
I need to get my front Lower Control Arms replaced as there is wear on the O/S ball joint.
My car has the standard suspension.
I have a trade contact who can supply the Delphi LCAs ( complete ) for a decent price.
I have learnt on this forum about Moog, in as much as a poster mentioned that they lasted longer than some other makes.
I have done some Googling about Moog and they seem a good company, involved in aerospace and a lot of other areas.
Has anyone fitted Moog suspension parts or had any experience of them ?
I can get them at a good price but wanted a bit more knowledge really !
Any advice welcome, thanks in advance.
My car has the standard suspension.
I have a trade contact who can supply the Delphi LCAs ( complete ) for a decent price.
I have learnt on this forum about Moog, in as much as a poster mentioned that they lasted longer than some other makes.
I have done some Googling about Moog and they seem a good company, involved in aerospace and a lot of other areas.
Has anyone fitted Moog suspension parts or had any experience of them ?
I can get them at a good price but wanted a bit more knowledge really !
Any advice welcome, thanks in advance.
I've used Moog for years now; never any issues
Had more issues with OEM BMW & Lemforder arms & top mounts; had BMW fail on me twice and Lemforder 3 times! Everything is made to a budget these days!
But, I still use them; sometimes it's just sods law!
Lemforder, Meyle, Moog and TRW are my go-to's and always sourced via the likes of C3BMW, BMWmotormec and my local motorfactors
Autodoc can be great for prices; but their shipping times are crap and I'd rather pay a bit more and get UK stocked parts etc
Had more issues with OEM BMW & Lemforder arms & top mounts; had BMW fail on me twice and Lemforder 3 times! Everything is made to a budget these days!
But, I still use them; sometimes it's just sods law!
Lemforder, Meyle, Moog and TRW are my go-to's and always sourced via the likes of C3BMW, BMWmotormec and my local motorfactors
Autodoc can be great for prices; but their shipping times are crap and I'd rather pay a bit more and get UK stocked parts etc
How long are you keeping the car? No point spending out for quality of you're not intending to keep the car a while.
I've had quite a few e46s, most have needed a control arm or two and I've never to replace a control arm more than once (even after 120k use), regardless of whether I've bought cheap or expensive, bushes can be a different matter.
I've had quite a few e46s, most have needed a control arm or two and I've never to replace a control arm more than once (even after 120k use), regardless of whether I've bought cheap or expensive, bushes can be a different matter.
Thanks for all the replies.
I intend to keep the car a while : it's only got 75K on it ( I've done about 5K since May and it was not driven much before that )
I have just had a couple of rear springs fitted as one had cracked, and will get the LCAs done soon as there is wear on the O/S ball joint.
I have a pal who owns a motor factors and I can get a pair of Delphi arms ( complete with all the attachments) for £200 all in.
So I'll probably go with those.
And then get a 4 wheel alignment done.
Every car I have owned over the past 15 years ( 2 Alfa 156s, a C30 Volvo ) have needed rear adjustment as well as front alignment, so it's well worth getting done IMHO.
The car is in mint condition with minimal rust so I shall keep it. It is also my only car so it will be my daily as well.
I intend to keep the car a while : it's only got 75K on it ( I've done about 5K since May and it was not driven much before that )
I have just had a couple of rear springs fitted as one had cracked, and will get the LCAs done soon as there is wear on the O/S ball joint.
I have a pal who owns a motor factors and I can get a pair of Delphi arms ( complete with all the attachments) for £200 all in.
So I'll probably go with those.
And then get a 4 wheel alignment done.
Every car I have owned over the past 15 years ( 2 Alfa 156s, a C30 Volvo ) have needed rear adjustment as well as front alignment, so it's well worth getting done IMHO.
The car is in mint condition with minimal rust so I shall keep it. It is also my only car so it will be my daily as well.
Paul S4 said:
Thanks for all the replies.
I intend to keep the car a while : it's only got 75K on it ( I've done about 5K since May and it was not driven much before that )
I have just had a couple of rear springs fitted as one had cracked, and will get the LCAs done soon as there is wear on the O/S ball joint.
I have a pal who owns a motor factors and I can get a pair of Delphi arms ( complete with all the attachments) for £200 all in.
So I'll probably go with those.
And then get a 4 wheel alignment done.
Every car I have owned over the past 15 years ( 2 Alfa 156s, a C30 Volvo ) have needed rear adjustment as well as front alignment, so it's well worth getting done IMHO.
The car is in mint condition with minimal rust so I shall keep it. It is also my only car so it will be my daily as well.
I personally wouldn't use Delphi; cheap IMO and I've had issues before with them; they're budget parts for budget cars IMOI intend to keep the car a while : it's only got 75K on it ( I've done about 5K since May and it was not driven much before that )
I have just had a couple of rear springs fitted as one had cracked, and will get the LCAs done soon as there is wear on the O/S ball joint.
I have a pal who owns a motor factors and I can get a pair of Delphi arms ( complete with all the attachments) for £200 all in.
So I'll probably go with those.
And then get a 4 wheel alignment done.
Every car I have owned over the past 15 years ( 2 Alfa 156s, a C30 Volvo ) have needed rear adjustment as well as front alignment, so it's well worth getting done IMHO.
The car is in mint condition with minimal rust so I shall keep it. It is also my only car so it will be my daily as well.
However; your car/your cash etc
As said above, TRW & Lemforder are OEM - see what their prices are on eBay, C3BMW,. BMWmotormec and Autodoc - you may be surprised
There are a few really good, tried & trusted resellers on eBay so if you want their details let me know & I'll pop them up
ian332isport said:
I've always rated the Meyle HD stuff. I had Meyle HD control arms and bushes on my old E46 330D and never had an issue with them.
You have to be careful with Meyle HD as some parts are HD, others aren't...But they'd be spot on if the OP can find them. Touch wood, never had issues with Meyle HD stuff, then again it's limited to certain parts on the E39
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