BimmerWorld E46/Z4 Front Suspension Overhaul Kits

As early as 50k miles, a E46 3 Series and Z4 can develop worn control arms and/or bushings. As any E46 3 Series or Z4 owner knows, a worn set of front control arms and bushings can play havoc on the handling and tire wear of your vehicle. Genuine BMW parts can be expensive to replace so we have sought out a high quality aftermarket manufacturer providing quality replacement parts to bring your car back to (and better than) it's original handling glory!

The Meyle Heavy Duty aluminum control arms included in this package are designed from BMW's Motorsport arms*. They feature a heavy duty alloy webbed design and solid mounted inner and outer ball joints for increased longevity and performance- perfect for daily drivers and track rats! Solid mounted ball joints give no additional noise or vibration. Arms use German-made full steel ball joints that are stronger and more durable than stock or most replacement arms on the market.

Included with the arms are several bushing options available based on your needs, budget, and wrenching skills:

• Aftermarket Replacement - We have worked with an aftermarket supplier to develop this inexpensive control arm bushing option for budget minded E46/Z4 owners. These 66mm control arm bushings incorporate a solid rubber design, much like the Meyle HD bushing set, that alleviates the fail-prone fluid filled design of the factory bushing. These aftermarket bushings comes pre-pressed into new alloy housings for a direct fit for all E46 3 Series and Z4 cars (excluding M and Xi cars).
• Meyle Heavy Duty Rubber - This set is solid rubber to increase longevity compared to the stock, fluid filled bushing. These do not increase performance or steering feedback but do have an expected service life of twice the stock bushing. NVH is not increased over the factory bushing. The Meyle HD bushings are 66mm in diameter and only fit the 2001+ model year alloy housings. If you have a pre-2001 E46 3 Series please measure your housing diameter before ordering since your car could still have the older 60mm bushings. If so, we suggest upgrading to the 66mm bushing housing kit** as they are a direct fit. Bushings come with new hardware.
• Powerflex Urethane Bushings - Our Powerflex replacements not only give you the added performance of urethane, but their innovative 2 piece design takes away the twisting load of the factory parts, meaning they will last longer as well. These bushings offer a much longer service life versus factory style bushings and are highly suggested by our sales and service staff. Urethane control arm bushings give higher performance under braking (allow less geometry change) and crisper turn-in characteristics. 66mm vs. 60mm Bushings Explained - Due to factory recalls, the E46 3 Series before 2/'01 cars prior to this production date may have either the 60mm or 66mm diameter bushing. Please measure the outside diameter of the bushing (not the alloy bracket) before ordering if your production date is before 2/'01. Z4s and all E46 cars from 2/'01 production month use a 66mm bushing. If you have a E46 3 Series with a production date before 2/'01 and plan to buy pre-pressed bushings you do not have to measure your current bushings.
• Treehouse Eyeball Arm - Treehouse Racing Eyeball Arm Bracket/Bushings take the common performance control arm bushing to the next level. Made of precision CNC machined 6061-T6 aluminum with a self-lubricating nylon-moly bushing, these arms eliminate suspension geometry movement under cornering and braking loads for a crisp, tight, high-performance upgrade. Suggested for track use only.

Option 1: Pre-Press Bushings into Housings - We also offer the Meyle HD and Powerflex bushings pre-pressed into new alloy housings for easy installation. If you decide to purchase bushings pre-pressed, you will no longer need to measure your existing housing size - we use the newest spec 66mm bushing and housing for the pre-pressed pieces. Typical shop labor to press the old bushings out and the new in will cost as much as these housings. Treehouse Eyeball arms are a bushing/bracket assembly. 

Option 2: Include Tie Rod Assemblies and Swaybar Links - Our packages also have the option of including tie rod assemblies and swaybar links manufactured by Meyle. Meyle Heavy Duty front swaybar links incorporate solid metal ball joints for increase life over the stock plastic swaybar link joints.

This arm/bushing package fits all non-M 1999+** 3 Series except 4WD Xi, including 323, 325, 328, 330, and all non-M Z4 models. Kit contains Left and Right control arms with pre-pressed inner and outer ball joints. Kit will include bushings/housings of your choice for both left and right side. Meyle Heavy Duty parts have a 4 year warranty. Standard Meyle replacement parts (tie rods) have a 1 year warranty.

*Meyle HD arms carry the same part number as normal E46 control arms though the are identical in design and function to M Sport (ZHP) control arms (part numbers 31 12 2 282 121 and 31 12 2 282 122)

**1999 coupe models are the older E36 chassis. Please refer to our E36 overhaul kit for packages applying to that model.

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