[Ml3456]

Does the tire wear get worse when you upgrade your E9x control arms to a M3? Seems like there would be some since there is more negative camber, but is it drastic?

Thanks, ML

[135Pats]

Yes.

Drastic? No, but depends on how aggressive your alignment is.

[mlifxs]

not for me, after 20k miles

It depends...if you do a whole lot of straight/highway driving, I'd imagine you'd notice a decent amount of inside wear; even if your toe numbers are in check. How much wear though, exactly, depends on way too many other factors.

[F06msportmia]

I just ordered the M3 control arm kit, can someone please post the correct alignment specs. I have read that it should be the M3 specs and then I read it should be 335, so which one is it??? I'm looking for the least wear on tires. I have msport suspension. Thanks guys,

[Jdub679]

Originally Posted by e90msportmia

I just ordered the M3 control arm kit, can someone please post the correct alignment specs. I have read that it should be the M3 specs and then I read it should be 335, so which one is it??? I'm looking for the least wear on tires. I have msport suspension. Thanks guys,

I "believe" you just ask your shop to max out your front camber. Should be about -1.5 degrees for both sides.

[HP Autosport]

It really is minimal depending on driving style and alignment.

-Mike

[Ml3456]

Thanks for the comments. Now can't wait for spring to put them on with them on with my summer tires!!

[F06msportmia]

I should be getting my order today and hopefully on by tomorrow with DIY and aligned by Saturday... Will comment after install. Happy New Year everyone!

[vasillalov]

I do a fair amount of AutoX and track day events every year. Even with the M3 control arms and tension rods and the negative camber maxed out, I still get more tire wear on the outside of the threads than on the inside. I "ruin" the tires on the outside before I even get to the half of the thread depths on the center and inside because of the racing. Things will probably even out when I upgrade to coilovers with camber plates and the car gets lowered just a tiny bit.

Honestly, if you are thinking of upgrading to the M3 control arms and tension rods, you should not have any worries about the tire wear at all. The M3 bits are highly recommended for any car including a daily driver that will never see track.

[CALWATERBOY]

Originally Posted by Ml3456

Does the tire wear get worse when you upgrade your E9x control arms to a M3? Seems like there would be some since there is more negative camber, but is it drastic?

Yes. If you don't align after install.

No. If you DO align after install, to BMW spec.

[acdHQK713K]

My fronts are destroyed. The majority of the tire is at 5/32 while the inner shoulder of each tire is nearly down to the cords.

I have camber plates and the M3 bits.

Got an alignment recently

Before alignment.
Driver Side: Camber -1.2, Toe 0.12
Passenger Side: Camber -1.6, Toe -0.07

Didn't think those numbers would be enough (even that toe out) to shred my tires but they were. Passenger side was worn a bit more than the driver side.

[redline2001]

I have the M3 control arms and after 30,000 miles of driving I've experienced no abnormal tire wear. 6,000 miles on one set of tires, 24,000 miles on the other set. My alignments have been done at BMW and i never told them about the control arm switch. Maybe you guys should stop worying about saving $100 dollars at the stearlership because it seems like your spending more $$ on tires in the long run.

[acdHQK713K]

Originally Posted by redline2001

I have the M3 control arms and after 30,000 miles of driving I've experienced no abnormal tire wear. 6,000 miles on one set of tires, 24,000 miles on the other set. My alignments have been done at BMW and i never told them about the control arm switch. Maybe you guys should stop worying about saving $100 dollars at the stearlership because it seems like your spending more $$ on tires in the long run.

There is nothing special or different, aside from the the price, about an alignment done by a dealership.

[mlifxs]

Originally Posted by Stangorang

My fronts are destroyed. The majority of the tire is at 5/32 while the inner shoulder of each tire is nearly down to the cords.

I have camber plates and the M3 bits.

Got an alignment recently

Before alignment.
Driver Side: Camber -1.2, Toe 0.12
Passenger Side: Camber -1.6, Toe -0.07

Didn't think those numbers would be enough (even that toe out) to shred my tires but they were. Passenger side was worn a bit more than the driver side.

sorry to hear this..do you do a lot of highway?...or anything unusual? What diameter rim and what tire pressure do you run up front? I'm on 18s and run pressure at 40.

My camber plates are on the way, was thinking of running near -2, but maybe I'll go a little less and observe.

[CALWATERBOY]

Originally Posted by Stangorang

There is nothing special or different, aside from the the price, about an alignment done by a dealership.

True.

Thrust angle....camber....toe. Ain't rocket science.

[CALWATERBOY]

Originally Posted by Stangorang

My fronts are destroyed. The majority of the tire is at 5/32 while the inner shoulder of each tire is nearly down to the cords.

Before alignment.
Driver Side: Camber -1.2, Toe 0.12
Passenger Side: Camber -1.6, Toe -0.07

Didn't think those numbers would be enough

Toe. 0.19 diff - you bet.

[David1]

Mine wear better with the M3 arms, but I also drive hard enough to wear out PS2's in the rear in 8k miles and fronts in about 15-16k. Worn evenly across. If you just do highway driving and put around town with the proper front toe settins you will see slightly more wear but it more based on how hard you drive and alignment. I corner hard enough and long enough that my tires wear evenly across the tire and are not on my car long enough to show any camber wear. Now my other car that I use to run -3 degrees up front that was a different story!

[e92josh]

Good thread, I was wondering the same.

Per the M3 control arms. Are you guys specing them to 3XX (335/328/etc) specs or M3 specs?

(Camber that is).

[David1]

You do it to 335 spec. Just with more camber. I set my front toe to almost zero for better steering response.

[redline2001]

Originally Posted by Stangorang

There is nothing special or different, aside from the the price, about an alignment done by a dealership.

If that is true why are so many guys having theirs done correctly ??

[Ml3456]

Thanks dave and red. That's the fast based information I was looking for. Few months off from putting them on here in Chitown, but good to know the alignment should be 335 with camber maxed out. I'll knock out the pin to get a little more. Dealer not to far away, but alignments are pretty standard if they are out of line too much on price.