Anyone used new Lemforder AND Meyle control arms + bushes?

mrk

mrk

mrk

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I have searched around and seen various postings about them and while some say the Meyle bushings and arms offer better steering feedback and firmer ride, others say they are too harsh and bring in extra noise because of their added stiffness.

I need new arms and bushes on the front as there's some play in the joints and the steering is quite vague at speed now compared to how I remember it 3 years ago.

The price difference is quite vast as well. I can get the OEM Lemforder complete kit for £336 inc VAT (from Cotswold BMW with BMWland discount) while the Meyle ones are £240 (from C3BMW).

So, anyone have experience with a fresh set of both?

Alternatively I imagine it wouldn't be a problem to just buy the Meyle control arms kit only and Lemforder bushings for perhaps the best of both worlds?
 
It was always my understanding that the arms themselves are not wearing parts - they are just big bits of metal - but that the reason its generally advised to replace the entire arm with bushes is simply because it's considerably easier than changing just the bushes with OEM spec ones, as you need a press to get them in, etc etc and by the time you've gone to all that hassle you may as well just replace the arms.

With this in mind I'd say fitting 'Lemforder' bushes to different arms would seem a bit piontless, if you are going to do that you may as well rebush your existing arms, but you'll see the cost after labour to be more than just replacing the arms in the first place.

Personally I'd stick with Lemforder. The price difference isn't enormous and you'll never need do it again as long as you own the car.

If you do wish to just replace the bushes I beleive Powerflex ones can be fitted without the need for extreme faff with presses etc, so this is a cheaper option for you.
 
Which model is this for?

I replaced all my front arms and bushes with Lemforder and Meyle HD versions where available. The HD versions have stonger bushes and a longer warranty.

Edit some of the HD items were cheaper in some cases.
 
Meyle produce very high quality components. In all the years I've worked in after market I've never seen a bad product by them, and wouldn't hesitate to use them. I would say there would be NO difference between them and the Lemforder parts and both would be made to a very high quality.

I would save myself £100. BMW make a fortune on parts, I wouldn't fancy giving them any more profit just so you can tell yourself you bought them from the main dealer. There will be no difference.

Just imo.
 
There's definitely play on the current bushes but it's a bit harder to tell on the arm, I just had a quick look at powerflex ones:

http://www.powerflex.co.uk/products/E46+3+Series+(1999+-+2006)-303/1.html

There's a post on e46fanatics where one guy fitted them and gave positive feedback on them. Pretty much all I want is to restore the original steering feel without sacrificing ride quality :)

Edit*
Reading other replies above :)

Edit2*
Seems that Cotswold parts are not Lemforder, they replied to my question on the brand as I thought they would be Lemforder but they said they're just "Genuine BMW"?

C3 sell Lemforder units but at £388 inc VAT.

naefeart: It's for e46 coupe with M-Tech suspension.
 
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rare said:
Meyle produce very high quality components. In all the years I've worked in after market I've never seen a bad product by them, and wouldn't hesitate to use them. I would say there would be NO difference between them and the Lemforder parts and both would be made to a very high quality.

I would save myself £100. BMW make a fortune on parts, I wouldn't fancy giving them any more profit just so you can tell yourself you bought them from the main dealer. There will be no difference.

Just imo.
Click to expand...

You can probably buy Lemforder branded parts from ECP or somewhere for loads less anyway.
 
Indeed you can Fox! I know we sell them at GSF. Would be a LOT cheaper than genuine.

Seems that Cotswold parts are not Lemforder, they replied to my question on the brand as I thought they would be Lemforder but they said they're just "Genuine BMW"?
Click to expand...

That IS Lemforder. They will always say "Genuine BMW". Its like asking a main dealer who the gearbox is made by, they will say its a genuine BMW gearbox, but its a ZF made gearbox.
 
Have a try with Jason @ allgermanparts.co.uk. He was very easy to deal with, knowledgeable and responded to every question and e-mail very quickly.

He was also very good on price.
 
Firing off emails cheers!

Ideally if my arms are fine (the ball joints on them) then it makes sense just to get new bushes and those Powerflex ones look good. If the joints are worn then that arm has to go as the Lemforder ones have fixed joints whereas Meyle ones are replaceable and have 4 years warranty reading around. Not that the warranty period bothers me of course :p

Edit*
£43.20 for Powerflex bushings, no cariers though so I'd have to have my existing carriers with them inside.

I really need to raise the car up and get the ball joints looked at now!

rare: I thought that might have been the case hehe.


Edit**
I've just read various posts about the Powerflex on Pistonheads and some other places. Seems there's a split between people who noticed a difference in "character" in the car's handling and those that felt no or minimal difference. I don't want to change the original characteristics of my car because IMO it's one of the things about it that I like so much, how predictable it is when cornering and the feeling of breakaway.

I do not want that adjusted at all so in light of that I will replace the bushes with OEM ones in the next few weeks and if need be then the arms as well. As one guy who had both said, the OEM ones are designed for road use so should have some flex to give feedback of the conditions of the road, being stiffer would be great on a track but maybe not so good for on the road because you'd lose that breakaway feeling -I think I'd notice this and it would bug me.

Lemforder it is :p
 
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Bushes fitted today, got local specialist to do it for £50, he showed me the old bushings and you could push the rubber through the casing and some of the rubber had melted, or appeared to, onto the wishbone end.

I got the bushes from All German Carparts for £62 + £10 for next day delivery.

Handling is much sharper, road noise is a bit lower as well.

Check your bushes! :p
 
Indeed!

For the lols I phoned up Snows yesterday to get a quote for the same job and they said because my car was 6+ years old it would have the expected discount on parts and labour.

Labour was £60+VAT an hour, the parts themselves were ~£119+VAT.

By comparison my usual indy in Havant quoted £70+VAT for the same bushes and for fitting was £50+VAT. Obvious point is obvious but it's always worth shopping round for quotes and finding local places that do it cheaper :p

I'll be going to him for future parts replacements from now on :)
 
Almost exactly an hour.
I bought the Lemforder ones as Jason at All German Car Parts recommended against Powerflex ones due to the added vibrations causing other components to wear faster.

I wanted to retain the original characteristics of the e46 Sport suspension as well which I feel is an excellent balance of comfort and sportyness.

Edit*
The Powerflex ones are poly yeah.
 
I am so glad I found this post, I need my front near side control arm replacing and bushes for both sides doing and I have been quoted the great price of £640 inc. VAT (with parts/labour discount and inclduing a full KDS alignment) from the dealer.

Looks like I need to ring round and try to find a decent indy.
 
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KDS alignment will be charged at a rate of eleventy thousand £ at a dealer :p Get a local Protyre to do the 4 wheel alignment on its own, they charge about £40 last time I had mine done there.

They have the right equipment to do it properly too :)
 
I know, I have just had a full KDS alignment done when the other stuff was done.

After my experience with Rybrook, I will not be returning there.

But I am very much interested in getting the bushes done, the price you got is fantastic. I need to shop around.
 
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