[Handsomecore]

I'm trying to buy both front OEM lower control arms for my 07 328i .the ones I currently have on car are OEM it says trw(Germany) . So I told the guy at the auto shop I want the same ones he said ok charge me 200 for both front arms . But the only problem is the trw stamp isn't on the arm nor does it say made in Germany . The bag it came in says trw /febi Germany . Is this really OEM or it's a knockoff brand? I don't mind paying the real price just don't wanna buy from dealer it's like 180 and I need the part today. Any feedback would be appreciated !!!!!!!!!

[kaede]

I don' think it is OEM then. I could be wrong, but OEM parts usually have bmw stamping, and if not at least the TRW (original supplier for control arms). Good Luck

[joec500]

I am almost 100% that TRW makes the OEM stuff. I think it's a similar situation to spark plugs and Coilpacks. Bosche makes them for BMW, but the BMW OEM plugs have a BMW stamp, but the Bosche NON-OEM work just as well.

[Handsomecore]

Originally Posted by kaede

I don' think it is OEM then. I could be wrong, but OEM parts usually have bmw stamping, and if not at least the TRW (original supplier for control arms). Good Luck

Yeah I know I'm confused , there's no engraving on the actual part it's only in a trw bag . There's only some coding on it that's matches the OEM arm but that doesn't really mean anything I think ima try my luck .do u know how many miles you can get out of a aftermarket control arm.the bushings & ball joints tend to go bad on these things .thats my problem right now.

[Handsomecore]

Originally Posted by joec500

I am almost 100% that TRW makes the OEM stuff. I think it's a similar situation to spark plugs and Coilpacks. Bosche makes them for BMW, but the BMW OEM plugs have a BMW stamp, but the Bosche NON-OEM work just as well.

Ook so your saying I should buy it??????? I replaced the control arm bushing not too long ago I got it from the dealer they have to be pressed in and that didn't last too long I would say 15k .now I gotta change the whole arm smh

[joec500]

Originally Posted by Handsomecore

Ook so your saying I should buy it??????? I replaced the control arm bushing not too long ago I got it from the dealer they have to be pressed in and that didn't last too long I would say 15k .now I gotta change the whole arm smh

Stock Control Arms and bushings should easily last 60k+ miles on non lowered car. Even lowered they should last quite a long time.

[Mavus]

Originally Posted by Handsomecore

Yeah I know I'm confused , there's no engraving on the actual part it's only in a trw bag . There's only some coding on it that's matches the OEM arm but that doesn't really mean anything I think ima try my luck .do u know how many miles you can get out of a aftermarket control arm.the bushings & ball joints tend to go bad on these things .thats my problem right now.

I just installed them in front. Same parts and design, TRW manufactures arms/bits for BMW. Mine had the same P/N on the bag and came from Germany. No worries ...

[PINeely]

OEM BMW parts have a BMW roundel, BMW part number or "BMW" on them somewhere. So technically that isn't an OEM part, however it should be exactly the same since TRW makes them for BMW. As others have said they order from other companies such as TRW or Bosch for most of the replaceable components.

[BillionPa]

OE and OEM mean different things.

OE will be from BMW and have their logo on it, OEM is just from a manufacturer that supplies BMW, and may be labeled differently. If you can determine it is a TRW arm, and it is made in Germany, it is probably the same arm as supplied to BMW but did not go through a marking process.

[kaede]

Originally Posted by joec500

Stock Control Arms and bushings should easily last 60k+ miles on non lowered car. Even lowered they should last quite a long time.

My stock one went at around 78k km (around 48k miles)... and my car was stock everything. These parts are a hit and miss thing.

As for replacing control arms, as long as it fits it's probably good for DD purposes. If the i mean its $200 right now right? Not at all a big investment. If you want to get ones that are of quality and upgrade, get the TRW M3 Spec'ed ones from ECSTuning (NO, i don't work for them), they are a good upgrade and deal for $400'ish shipped. Good Luck

[robc1976]

My TRW M3 control arms where OEM "M" arms with logo grinded off.