[MineralweissIS]

Some years ago I purchased M3 control arms from the OE supplier TRW through FCP Euro. I don't how well they have faired because I do not drive my 335is very much.

Recently, when it came time to do a suspension refresh on my E46, I opted for TRW control arms as well (why not, I figured). Only a short time later, I started hearing a clunk from the front. To my surprise, one of the arms has noticeable play.

I am fortunate that I can get a replacement through FCP (this would be my first return) although I am out the cost of labor. My mechanic told me the CA bushing (also new) will also have to be replaced in order to get the arm out (and it will not look pretty). I have some questions for those with return experience:

1. I will likely choose another brand. Thoughts on Meyle?
2. Since there is a price difference, will they just refund the cost of the original purchase?
3. Since I will have to buy another CA bushing, will they refund the original purchase price since it will likely be "damaged" and not worn?

Thanks in advance for your input!

[mainbearing]

TRW is OEM and they now own ZF (and Sachs). They make suspension components for BMW as well Audi. TRW or Lemforder parts work fine for me.

Maybe you should order parts through Rock Auto or RM European instead. I do.

[Hoody007]

Originally Posted by MineralweissIS

Some years ago I purchased M3 control arms from the OE supplier TRW through FCP Euro. I don't how well they have faired because I do not drive my 335is very much.

Recently, when it came time to do a suspension refresh on my E46, I opted for TRW control arms as well (why not, I figured). Only a short time later, I started hearing a clunk from the front. To my surprise, one of the arms has noticeable play.

I am fortunate that I can get a replacement through FCP (this would be my first return) although I am out the cost of labor. My mechanic told me the CA bushing (also new) will also have to be replaced in order to get the arm out (and it will not look pretty). I have some questions for those with return experience:

1. I will likely choose another brand. Thoughts on Meyle?
2. Since there is a price difference, will they just refund the cost of the original purchase?
3. Since I will have to buy another CA bushing, will they refund the original purchase price since it will likely be "damaged" and not worn?

Thanks in advance for your input!

I personally had Meyle HDs on my 330Ci before it was totaled. Unfortunately I only had them on the car for maybe 3K miles before an idiot in an Accord totaled my car, but they were quite nice and stiff - I believe comparable to the ZHP arms.

I’ve had M3 TRW arms on my 335i for the past 60K miles, and they are still nice and tight, with no play. Are you sure the shop installed the arms correctly on your E46?

[MineralweissIS]

Originally Posted by Hoody007

I personally had Meyle HDs on my 330Ci before it was totaled. Unfortunately I only had them on the car for maybe 3K miles before an idiot in an Accord totaled my car, but they were quite nice and stiff - I believe comparable to the ZHP arms.

I've had M3 TRW arms on my 335i for the past 60K miles, and they are still nice and tight, with no play. Are you sure the shop installed the arms correctly on your E46?

I know things like this happen. The arm I purchased was likely just defective out of the factory. I am not totally against buying another TRW product especially since the other arm is just fine. I've had a long relationship with this shop - they are very competent and have worked on all cars and I have never had an issue.

I'm sorry to hear about your accident. I enjoy my E46 and it handles great with these ZHP arms and lowering springs. It is a bit underpowered but it gets the job done.

[tadaska]

No point jumping to another brand because of one incident. I buy Meyle whenever I can, and they've been alright, except once, I fitted new Meyle droplinks and one of them needed replacement just a few months later (one ball joint was completely worn out). Bought another Meyle and it's been ok since.

[tlow98]

If you’re going to buy another brand to avoid an issue, then The only smart choice is BMW OE, especially if you’re paying for labor.

[whyzee125]

For an e46, I used to run the purple poly control arm bushings with zero NVH complaints due to how fast e46s wear through control arm bushings. That being said, I think TRW is a good brand and I don't think Meyle would be any better. One of my previous 335's had Meyle's that were torn to crap in less than 35k miles whereas it seems the stock ones usually go 100k+. But like you said, sometimes these things just happen. Lemforder, Meyle, and TRW are definitely the top 3 most popular choices for the arms on these cars so I'd say any should be fine. TRW and Lemforder are German companies and are OE whereas Meyle is Taiwanese or something I think.

[Suvorovo]

Meyle seems too cheap to be any good. I purchase lemforder lower control arms and they're rock solid.

[mecheng77]

TRW is a top notch premiere brand, maybe you got a fake knock off. Many oems uses TRW

[Tambohamilton]

TRW > Meyle, but that's not to say that Meyle are bad. Maybe also consider Febi if that's an option?

[BSM n54iS]

I would stick with TRW for sure and keep the replacement status too. Maybe you got a bad part but do you know it wasn't install error or anything?

[R3dLeader]

Originally Posted by mecheng77

TRW is a top notch premiere brand, maybe you got a fake knock off. Many oems uses TRW

This. When I ordered the M3 front control arm kit from FCP, 1 of the 4 arms was an obvious counterfeit. FCP owned up to it but they did not proactively reach out to me (they already knew they had a problem in their inventory when I contacted them).

They could not get me a genuine replacement so I had to order the single arm from eEuroparts. Super fast shipping and good prices on eEuroparts btw, but no lifetime warranty.

[Tambohamilton]

I hope FCP at least offered to include the 4th arm in their warranty. Least they could do given that you tried to order a genuine part from them...

[mecheng77]

Originally Posted by TerminatorStout

Pretty hard to get a lemon bushing, not saying it can't happen.

The control arms MUST be torqued down while they are "loaded" or under the weight of the vehicle. If they are torqued "hanging", or the car is on jack stands, it can definitely screw up the bushings, most likely will and will also cause alignment issues.

Believe it or not this is a common problem among DIY mechanics. The reason it happens is not often lazyness or stupidity but rather the question of how do you torque down CA on a 335i (many others) while the car is on the ground without a lift???

Originally Posted by TerminatorStout

Pretty hard to get a lemon bushing, not saying it can't happen.

The control arms MUST be torqued down while they are "loaded" or under the weight of the vehicle. If they are torqued "hanging", or the car is on jack stands, it can definitely screw up the bushings, most likely will and will also cause alignment issues.

Believe it or not this is a common problem among DIY mechanics. The reason it happens is not often lazyness or stupidity but rather the question of how do you torque down CA on a 335i (many others) while the car is on the ground without a lift???

This is so true, and most diy guys don't know this and some mechanics

[mike5124]

TRW recently switched production from Germany to Malaysia recently thrust arms and FCP changed the status of them from OE to Aftermarket. See thread about it https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1917905

Edit: just realized you meant e46 arms not e9x m3 lol, but maybe quality control might have dropped over the factory switch

[R3dLeader]

Originally Posted by mike5124

TRW recently switched production from Germany to Malaysia recently thrust arms and FCP changed the status of them from OE to Aftermarket. See thread about it https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1917905

Edit: just realized you meant e46 arms not e9x m3 lol, but maybe quality control might have dropped over the factory switch

No they didn't. The OP in that link is the exact same COUNTERFEIT arm that I got from FCP Euro.

[mecheng77]

Wow I was gonna buy Bosch plugs and coils from FCP and now I'm worried they will be counterfeit

[mike5124]

Originally Posted by mecheng77

Wow I was gonna buy Bosch plugs and coils from FCP and now I'm worried they will be counterfeit

They are not counterfeit. Those m3 arms are real TRW, it’s just an internal factory switch to Malaysia. According to FCP, TRW claims those arms offer the same performance as the original German ones.

Your Bosch plugs should be authentic from FCP, they are not in the counterfeit business.

[kolopn]

I will add my experience with those arms that are made in Malaysia - I have fitted the M3 arms last May (2022), two control arms (those with two ball joints) have the ///M logo deleted, and they are made in Germany. Two tension struts are without any emblems, and are made in Malaysia - Effect? Two German arms, are still going strong. But those tension arms, after 2-3 months started to generate awful knocking sounds. I was not sure what happened in suspension, because all of assembly I have fitted new. In May 2023 I found that noise was made by those arms - right one had 2mm play! I bought new ones, but unfortunately I received Malaysian arms once again. What happened? After two months one again my suspension is knocking. I will recommend to buy those arms from onsite stores, to see what you are buying before paying any money.

[mainbearing]

Also verify the authenticity of the TRW control arms. With a large company location of production should not be a problem. TRW has a parts authentication site, see my post:

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showp...1&postcount=16

[Bmw1939]

Originally Posted by mainbearing

TRW is OEM and they now own ZF (and Sachs). They make suspension components for BMW as well Audi. TRW or Lemforder parts work fine for me.

Maybe you should order parts through Rock Auto or RM European instead. I do.

Oh contraire... ZF bought TRW.

[M-technik-3]

On side note all TRW is on Backorder at FCP at this time in suspension area. Appears they are working on it. Maybe they should issue a statement