[goto35]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/333407486053?ul_noapp=true

price seems excellent and reviews are great too. Is it worth it or should i spend $300 more for the same parts from fcpeuro?


car is my dads spare 2006 330i e90

[Peter5498]

I bought the TRW control arm set from FCP for $320. Factoring in sway bar links and tie rods as included in the kit, the price gets to about $460 but I wouldn't replace those unless you need to. Considering the peace of mind that you get from FCP Euro over ebay and their lifetime warranty, I'd roll with FCP.

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by goto35

https://www.ebay.com/itm/333407486053?ul_noapp=true

price seems excellent and reviews are great too. Is it worth it or should i spend $300 more for the same parts from fcpeuro?


car is my dads spare 2006 330i e90

I personally would stay away from that kit or any cheap eBay parts for that matter. It may be fine for a quick near term fix, but most of the cheap auto parts just don't last very long. The metal might be fine and not break, but it's the rubber bushings and ball joints that I'd be concerned about. You're not spending $300 more for the same parts, you're spending $300 more for better parts.

If you're looking to save money, there are cheaper alternatives that aren't junk. I replaced my front end suspension six months ago. I used Delphi brand control arms and end links on my car and they were relatively inexpensive compared to the TRW, Lemforder, or Meyle arms. I believe I paid around $60 for each arm. I used AC Delco inner tie rods and MOOG outer tie rod ends and paid $80 total. After installing these parts the front end feels new again.

I went really cheap on the struts however. Not no-name ebay junk, but still cheap obscure but somewhat slightly better known brand. They're cheap Sen Sen brand strut assemblies which were around $150 for the pair, already assembled. My plan was to just replace the originals since they were blown until I could find new springs then assemble a set of Sachs or Bilstein B4 struts with the new springs and swap them onto the car, but I am leaving it alone for now. The cheap struts are sort of bouncy and not ideal, but it rides fine for now while I focus on my other car.

[whyzee125]

I wouldn't, cheap suspension parts always need replaced shortly after. Just get TRW M3 arms, original Lemforder arms, or Meyle HD if you must. I think you'll be happier in the long run.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by goto35

https://www.ebay.com/itm/333407486053?ul_noapp=true

price seems excellent and reviews are great too. Is it worth it or should i spend $300 more for the same parts from fcpeuro?


car is my dads spare 2006 330i e90

Go for them, a spare 14y e90 330i doesn't justify investing more, these Ebay can't be worse then those on the car and will last long enough.....

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by feuer

Go for them, a spare 14y e90 330i doesn't justify investing more, these Ebay can't be worse then those on the car and will last long enough.....

It depends on how much longer he's planning on keeping the car. If selling it within a few years, then no problems with the cheap parts. Otherwise spend a little more and have the parts last longer.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

It depends on how much longer he's planning on keeping the car. If selling it within a few years, then no problems with the cheap parts. Otherwise spend a little more and have the parts last longer.

No telling how any parts would lasts......anyway like I said, 14y old car that serves as spare isn’t worth of spending money on

[avocet]

Buying a cheap latch for the glove box or some floor mats on ebay is one thing... but getting cheap ass front end suspension parts seems a little foolish.

Making things worse is the cast construction... irregularities in the structure won't be visible. Risking a failure of a critical front end suspension piece isn't a gamble I would take.

[mousefarmer]

Yeah I bought a control arm for a Mazda 3 before off eBay from a Chinese company. It looked exactly the same as original but when I put on it was off slightly and the rubber harder. It lasted about two months and failed and I had to buy full price Mazda one.

[masterh]

Control arms look cheap as hell. Look at the metal casting....OMG

[mousefarmer]

I learned my lesson and no longer buy aftermarket control arms, especially no brand, China ones. The ride was harsher because of the hard rubber and the rubber blew out after two months so ended up spending more money and twice as much work.