[Ghettobird52]

Hey all, just got a large suspension order from FCP! Bilstein B14 kit, all new strut/shock mounts, tie rods with new bellows, rear bushings, ball joints and front control arms. Rear M3 control arms are back ordered so waiting on those! I went for the TRW 'M3' arms for the upgrade. When I got my order, the upper control arms (tension strut) stood out. When I inspected them, I noticed instantly they did not look like BMW OE quality, they look off. As I started to inspect further, the 'bag' is labeled 'Made in Malaysia' while the lower control arms came in a box and labeled 'Made in Germany'. The Malaysian made one came with a traditional nut and the German made one came with a nylon nut. The uppers also have zero markings on them other than drive side identifiers where as the lowers are marked and also have a burr where BMW was taken off. I hit the web and boom, looks like a year or two ago TRW transitioned manufacturing of the upper arms to Malaysia. Too bad I didn't see this before and FCP is still using the old photos of the German made arms. In comparison to the lower arms, they look of lower quality. However, I can't find much reviews or feedback on them. Any one using them and want to chime in? Curious if I should return them with FCP and shell out the extra $200 for genuine BMW.

Any information or feedback is greatly appreciated! Thanks all







Lower Arm & box for reference

[lowrydr310]

I bought my TRW brand M3 "tension struts" ('upper' arms), thrust arms, etc.) from a different vendor back in May of this year. One side is the "good" TRW part that came in a box and says Made in Germany, with the part having all of the proper markings and the yellow 'don't tow here' sticker that looks like an OEM part.

The other arm came in a plastic bag, exactly as you describe. I didn't notice the Made in Malaysia, but it was clearly a different texture of the casting and a different nut that looked like lower quality. Exact same one as in your photos. I didn't notice anything unusual about the bushings or the ball joints between the two different types, so I went ahead and installed them... I had spare BMW brand nuts that I ordered new last year, so I definitely didn't use that junk that they included with the Malaysian part.

As for quality or feedback about the ride, well I'm not sure what to think just yet. At the same time I installed these arms along with the M3 lower arms, new struts, new strut mounts, new bump stops, dust boots, spring pads, and end links, and the first thing I noticed was this awful loose/bouncy feeling from the front end over lightly rough roads. Smooth roads are absolutely fine, car feels great over pot holes or big dips or single harsh bumps, but any road surface with numerous small bumps or rough patches and I feel this bouncing.

I don't *think* it's this control arm causing the problem as the bushings feel tight and the ball joints feel great, identical to the Made in Germany part. I suspect a defective strut as it feels like there's no damping over these bumps where there's short travel - feels like it's all spring bounce with tires slapping the road. However I don't know for sure. I've inspected everything else at this point short of removing and disassembling the struts and inspecting them. That's the next step when I have time. I still have the old thrust arms that I removed; maybe I'll try swapping them to see but I'm still leaning toward bad struts. Oh, and this isn't the first or even the second time I've gotten defective Bilstein parts brand new out of the box.

[The Nightman]

Sucky situation but they're likely fine and probably the best you can get without paying for genuine BMW. I just hope the prices have gone down accordingly (lol)

[mainbearing]

Does the QR code on the bag link to an authentication website? A lot of European parts have that code. Or call up TRW.

Looks like I better stick to Rock Auto or RM European just in case. LOL

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by mainbearing

Does the QR code on the bag link to an authentication website? A lot of European parts have that code. Or call up TRW.

Looks like I better stick to Rock Auto or RM European just in case. LOL

Rock Auto doesn't ship the TRW arms to CA because the package doesn't have the disclaimer that they contain chemicals that might cause cancer (yes, silly CA law.)

I ordered from AutoHausAZ and received one of these newer arms, so it isn't just FCP.

[mecheng77]

I wouldn’t worry too much where they are made, if it’s low volume I notice many part suppliers they move stuff to be made elsewhere over time. Bosch makes coils in Slovenia for example.

[mainbearing]

Yes I noticed a lot of parts that used to be France and Germany are now made in poor eastern Euro countries. Good for them though keeping their families fed, but I do question the quality of those parts, not that French or German parts are that great either.

[StradaRedlands]

Mine came in a bag, but I don't recall where they were manufactured. Now you have me wondering!
My lowers were German though.



I've noticed a lot of stuff from Turkey recently as well.

[kolopn]

Ball joints in Malaysian tension struts are made of chocolate cake, or french fries. I have installed them in may 2022 and I had to replace them after year of searching what is knocking in suspension. I replaced them in may 2023, and after two months new arms are knocking once again.

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by kolopn

Ball joints in Malaysian tension struts are made of chocolate cake, or french fries. I have installed them in may 2022 and I had to replace them after year of searching what is knocking in suspension. I replaced them in may 2023, and after two months new arms are knocking once again.

Interesting. I'd like to know where the Lemforder arms are made now. I used Lemforder strut mounts and they're made in Turkey and the rubber looks like trash, not as smooth and even as the original ones.

[whyzee125]

Dang, that sucks! I heard they moved countries but those upper arms don't look like my German made TRW's at all.

I also hadn't heard of the ball joints failing. IMO I would probably return them and re-order Meyle HD or the stock Lemforders. The TRW arms in the past were superior to either of the ones I just mentioned but if they're failing as fast as described a few replies up, I wouldn't waste my time with them.

[Ghettobird52]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

As for quality or feedback about the ride, well I'm not sure what to think just yet. At the same time I installed these arms along with the M3 lower arms, new struts, new strut mounts, new bump stops, dust boots, spring pads, and end links, and the first thing I noticed was this awful loose/bouncy feeling from the front end over lightly rough roads. Smooth roads are absolutely fine, car feels great over pot holes or big dips or single harsh bumps, but any road surface with numerous small bumps or rough patches and I feel this bouncing.

Shoot, Sounds like something definitely off! I hope you can figure it out. What Bilstein's did you go with?

Originally Posted by The Nightman

Sucky situation but they're likely fine and probably the best you can get without paying for genuine BMW. I just hope the prices have gone down accordingly (lol)

Lmfao love your profile name/pic! Yeah def, really caught me off guard when I unboxed them.

Originally Posted by mainbearing

Does the QR code on the bag link to an authentication website? A lot of European parts have that code. Or call up TRW.

Looks like I better stick to Rock Auto or RM European just in case. LOL

No QR code! Although it states directly on the bag 'Made in Malaysia'

Originally Posted by mecheng77

I wouldn’t worry too much where they are made, if it’s low volume I notice many part suppliers they move stuff to be made elsewhere over time. Bosch makes coils in Slovenia for example.

Totally am with you on that one! I only ask because it was a recent move over (past 1.5 years) so its rather new. I don't know how much mileage people have got out of them yet. The word might not be out on them.

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Mine came in a bag, but I don't recall where they were manufactured. Now you have me wondering!
My lowers were German though.


I've noticed a lot of stuff from Turkey recently as well.

Thanks for the response! Since you did not know, I assume the arms are doing great? How many miles have you put on them? I have also seen stuff come out of Turkey as well. I believe a few Meyle items years back for the E46 from what I remember.


Thanks for the replies everyone!

[Ghettobird52]

Originally Posted by kolopn

Ball joints in Malaysian tension struts are made of chocolate cake, or french fries. I have installed them in may 2022 and I had to replace them after year of searching what is knocking in suspension. I replaced them in may 2023, and after two months new arms are knocking once again.

Wow! Thanks for the reply! Looks like they are going back then thats forsure. I appreciate the info.

Originally Posted by whyzee125

Dang, that sucks! I heard they moved countries but those upper arms don't look like my German made TRW's at all.

I also hadn't heard of the ball joints failing. IMO I would probably return them and re-order Meyle HD or the stock Lemforders. The TRW arms in the past were superior to either of the ones I just mentioned but if they're failing as fast as described a few replies up, I wouldn't waste my time with them.

Looks like I'll be shelling out the extra $200 for the m3 tensions arms!

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by Ghettobird52

Thanks for the response! Since you did not know, I assume the arms are doing great? How many miles have you put on them?

Installed Jan '22, now have ~13k on them. Seem fine. They sucked putting in though. I had to shave the mounting area of the subframe just a little to get them to fit. Maybe .5mm total. Other than that, fine.

[kolopn]

From what I know, tension struts from Lemforder is now also made in Malaysia - arm is same for TRW and Lemforder - Only sign that this is TRW/Lemforder is little logo of the company on top of the ball joint. Between non-M and M3 arm only difference is rubber bushing I think the best way to do conversion right now is to buy stock one (Made in Germany), and then replace bushing itself for M3 one (TIS allows to do that only once), or go for poly bushes.

[mainbearing]

I think I saw a QR code on the plastic bag. Most part I got made in Europe carry either that or an authentication code. And the manufacturer has a parts authentication website.

It helps to authenticate it, because rubber bushings are low tech. With the proper material specification and durometer hardness it is hard to see why any company could mess it up.



TRW parts authentication website:
https://www.trwaftermarket.com/en/ne...counterfeiting

Originally Posted by Ghettobird52

No QR code! Although it states directly on the bag 'Made in Malaysia'

[mainbearing]

The cost cutting must be very aggressive. TRW, owned by ZF Aftermarket, has a parts authenticataion site. For some reason ZF itself does not. What a joke.

You will have to call ZF tech support if you suspect you received counterfeit parts. Otherwise hard for me to think any good company can get rubber bushings wrong.



ZF Tech support:
https://aftermarket.zf.com/go/en/lemfoerder/contact-us/

Originally Posted by kolopn

From what I know, tension struts from Lemforder is now also made in Malaysia - arm is same for TRW and Lemforder - Only sign that this is TRW/Lemforder is little logo of the company on top of the ball joint. Between non-M and M3 arm only difference is rubber bushing I think the best way to do conversion right now is to buy stock one (Made in Germany), and then replace bushing itself for M3 one (TIS allows to do that only once), or go for poly bushes.

[whyzee125]

You'd be surprised how many companies get rubber bushings wrong. In the Toyota and also the domestic car world, there are all sorts of companies out there that make rubber bushings that fail within a year. Rubber boots for ball joints, sway bar end links, control arm bushings, etc. even if the durometer seems similar when new, they tear to crap in a few months. It's actually impressive how they can make the rubber degrade that fast.

[mainbearing]

Maybe so, but fortunately I personally have not seen genuine or OEM rubber do that. Now value brand aftermarket parts is a different story.

BTW, TRW and Lemforder parts typically have 2-year warranty. If the bushings fail within that, just warranty the parts.

[Ghettobird52]

Originally Posted by mainbearing

I think I saw a QR code on the plastic bag. Most part I got made in Europe carry either that or an authentication code. And the manufacturer has a parts authentication website.

It helps to authenticate it, because rubber bushings are low tech. With the proper material specification and durometer hardness it is hard to see why any company could mess it up.



TRW parts authentication website:
https://www.trwaftermarket.com/en/ne...counterfeiting

Not a QR code. That is data matrix.

Originally Posted by whyzee125

You'd be surprised how many companies get rubber bushings wrong. In the Toyota and also the domestic car world, there are all sorts of companies out there that make rubber bushings that fail within a year. Rubber boots for ball joints, sway bar end links, control arm bushings, etc. even if the durometer seems similar when new, they tear to crap in a few months. It's actually impressive how they can make the rubber degrade that fast.

Originally Posted by mainbearing

Maybe so, but fortunately I personally have not seen genuine or OEM rubber do that. Now value brand aftermarket parts is a different story.

BTW, TRW and Lemforder parts typically have 2-year warranty. If the bushings fail within that, just warranty the parts.

No reason to roll the dice when I can get genuine and have piece of mind for 10+ years.

[kolopn]

Originally Posted by mainbearing

The cost cutting must be very aggressive. TRW, owned by ZF Aftermarket, has a parts authenticataion site. For some reason ZF itself does not. What a joke.

You will have to call ZF tech support if you suspect you received counterfeit parts. Otherwise hard for me to think any good company can get rubber bushings wrong.



ZF Tech support:
https://aftermarket.zf.com/go/en/lemfoerder/contact-us/

Maybe I wrote that in wrong way - Ball joints are the problem in Asian M3 arms, that's why I wrote just to buy standard arm (made in Germany), and then replace the oil bushing with M3 one or poly bush.

[marvinstockman]

I'd call and ask FCP.