[darkhors]

Quick background. Just installed the BMW Performance V1 shocks/struts and Dinan springs, all new mounts front and rear. Took it in to get an alignment because it was basically tracking sideways and told them to use the e90 specs with sport suspension.

The guy finished it and said he couldn't get it completely to spec because the toe arm eccentric cam on both sides were seized up. It drives fine right now, but I know they didn't get it right, so I'm taking it to another shop to have it aligned properly.

That said, I was thinking of purchasing adjustable toe arms (manzo or Megan racing) and am wondering if I should go that route or if it would be better to just get the M3 arms. Do I need to get all M3 parts at once (guide rods, camber arms, toe, etc) or could I just start with the M3 ones?

Since I need to replace, what's my best option here. FWIW, this is my daily driver, so I'm not looking to track this. I just want something that can be setup to drive a little aggressively when I want to, but still be somewhat comfortable.

[Cloud9blue]

M3 toe arms wont fit on non-M cars FYI.

Seems like Manza and Megan are nearly identical, since it is possible they used the same supplier. Just get whatever is cheaper in this case would be my call. However, if you want a cheap fix, you can just get some replacement bolts for the stock toe arms. RealOEM is your best friend when it comes to this kind of stuff.

[darkhors]

I thought about that too and just buying new arms and bolts, just to be safe. The OE has 150k on it, so I figured I'd change the whole thing. Then I started looking at after-market and it led me to this decision.

I think part of it was that the shop didn't seem too concerned with taking the extra time to try and get it right. So lesson learned about this place.

Also, when you say the M3 arms won't fit on non M cars, do you mean that I would have to get all the M rear suspension to make it work? I know there have been a few posts that I've seen referencing M3 rear bits on non-M's, specifically 335's and such.

[Cloud9blue]

Originally Posted by darkhors

I thought about that too and just buying new arms and bolts, just to be safe. The OE has 150k on it, so I figured I'd change the whole thing. Then I started looking at after-market and it led me to this decision.

I think part of it was that the shop didn't seem too concerned with taking the extra time to try and get it right. So lesson learned about this place.

Also, when you say the M3 arms won't fit on non M cars, do you mean that I would have to get all the M rear suspension to make it work? I know there have been a few posts that I've seen referencing M3 rear bits on non-M's, specifically 335's and such.

M3 toe won't fit, unless you have M3 hub carrier. Rest of the arms are fine (the two upper links, the lower camber arms, assuming you are upgrading to M3 style rear shocks). However, given that you have a 325i, rear control arms won't make a much of a difference for you at that power level. Save your money and just upgrade the front control arms.

[darkhors]

Ok, you just verified what I was thinking. That those who went M3 in the rear replaced everything including the knuckle.

I think that makes my decision easy then, I'm going to go with the Manza because they're about the same cost as the OEM ones, they're adjustable and their going to be much more stable.

Manza it is... I just wish there were a few people on here who have tried them so I could get a review.

Thanks for the info!

[dbworld4k]

I got those Manzo or whatever it is on eBay, adjustable toe arms. 15k miles so far an no issues!

[darkhors]

DBworld, thanks for the update. Did you install them yourself and then have an alignment or did you just have them put them on when you took it in for the alignment? I'm wondering how tough it would be to just throw them in before I take it up to the shop.

Also, have you noticed any better handling in the rear since installing them?

[dbworld4k]

I had the shop throw it on prior to alignment. It's a fairly straightforward job though, shouldn't take more than an hour.

Yes, I noticed a big improvement in handling afterwards. But this is because my toe was so far out of spec before, and any adjustable toe arm that brings it within spec will give the same result. Less to do with the brand in my case as the OE part was messed up.

[darkhors]

That's exactly where I'm at. The stock part is seizing up and rather than spend the same $$ on stock ones, I'm going to get the Manzo's. I figured about 1/2 hour on each side to get the toe arms of and back on, but I don't want to get ripped off on labor when I'm fairly certain they can take it off and put the new one's on while it's on the alignment rack.

[Cloud9blue]

Guys, I can sell my old toe arms with 40k miles on them to you guys for cheap if you really want...

[dbworld4k]

Originally Posted by darkhors

That's exactly where I'm at. The stock part is seizing up and rather than spend the same $$ on stock ones, I'm going to get the Manzo's. I figured about 1/2 hour on each side to get the toe arms of and back on, but I don't want to get ripped off on labor when I'm fairly certain they can take it off and put the new one's on while it's on the alignment rack.

That's exactly what I had done. The alignment shop threw them on and just charged me one hour of additional labor.

[mlifxs]

Originally Posted by Cloud9blue

However, given that you have a 325i, rear control arms won't make a much of a difference for you at that power level. Save your money and just upgrade the front control arms.

I sort of agree with this, though I'm keeping my M3 rear arms. On my AA tuned 328i, I could tell a difference but it's not as noticeable as the M3 front arms. The rear arms did add some stability to slalom like transition.

The cheapo whiteline subframe inserts were a better mod for me out back than the M3 arms.

[HULKNASTY]

Just found the manzo arms on ebay for a amazing price and I'm planning to get them when I put on coilovers!

Good find

[11LMBiSTT]

I got a brand new set of Manzo Adjustable Toe Links for sale. PM if interested.