Massive suspension improvement

[AnotherM]

I was so impressed with the results from the suspension work that i jist had done that I felt obligated to post it.

My 2016 m5 CP has 58k miles on it. The lower control arms looked fine, didnt really show any visible cracks in the bushings, but the suspension just didnt feel tight so i had the shop replace both lower control arms.

Man, let me tell you, the difference between 58k mile control arms and new oem control arms is night and day. Feels tight, quiet, and smooth. I am seriously blown away so anyone who hasnt changed theirs at 60k should seriously think about it

[M5Rick]

Someone else over here with a CP with 16k miles had a steering wobble and knock braking from speed, was going back and forth to BMW when eventually they found it was one of the lca's. Faulty one replaced under warranty and he paid for the other one to be replaced as a precaution.

[AnotherM]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

Someone else over here with a CP with 16k miles had a steering wobble and knock braking from speed, was going back and forth to BMW when eventually they found it was one of the lca's. Faulty one replaced under warranty and he paid for the other one to be replaced as a precaution.

I dont doubt it. The ball joints on the origonal arms were in tact, but sloppy. The new ones were very stiff.

I also had steering wheel wobble whoch everyone kept blaming on the wheels. Its all gone and smooth now. Pretty expensive for both, but worth every penny.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by AnotherM

I dont doubt it. The ball joints on the origonal arms were in tact, but sloppy. The new ones were very stiff.

I also had steering wheel wobble whoch everyone kept blaming on the wheels. Its all gone and smooth now. Pretty expensive for both, but worth every penny.

It was the same with this chap here, he was having the wheels balanced even the front discs replaced! I guess the arms have to be OEM like you say, there are a few pattern parts for these and there may be a slight difference between comp and the non-comp arms.

[santamonica00]

Need to have mine looked at. 55k on my '16 CP that I bought two years ago with 44k. Now, it does have Dinan coil overs which make it even more firm…probably firmer than I like in LA traffic (and w/ 6sp manual).

[A3ch]

do y'all live in areas with thrashed roads? Trying to determine if BMW is cheaping out on suspension or if external conditions are contributing to your suspension components wearing prematurely.

[AnotherM]

Originally Posted by A3ch

do y'all live in areas with thrashed roads? Trying to determine if BMW is cheaping out on suspension or if external conditions are contributing to your suspension components wearing prematurely.

I live in AZ and the roads here are very good. It is pretty rare to find a pothole.

The dealership techs told me that they change them frequently on most BMW models. Seems like a lot of load on one critical suspension component and over time inevitably will wear out.

[vafan13]

it's too bad OE versions aren't available. the BMW-branded are darn expensive.

[AnotherM]

Originally Posted by vafan13

it's too bad OE versions aren't available. the BMW-branded are darn expensive.

Aint that the truth. Mine were around 1100.00 for OEM arms.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by AnotherM

Aint that the truth. Mine were around 1100.00 for OEM arms.

[AnotherM]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

Lol, my exact reaction when i sww the prices. I think they were spmewhere aroun$480each

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by AnotherM

Lol, my exact reaction when i sww the prices. I think they were spmewhere aroun$480each

Is yours a competition or standard sprung M..

[AnotherM]

Competition

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by AnotherM

Competition

From what I can see the lower front arms are different between the comp and standard.

[santamonica00]

Bought my '16 CP two years ago and purchased it site unseen (manual transmission). It was CPO'ed and when I brought it into the dealer in LA they figured out it has Dinan coil overs. It rides hard as you'd suspect. I'm not sure if all sets are adjustable but if they are I think I need to raise it slightly back to the CP level. Feels like it may be another 10mm lower than CP.

Front photo doesn't do a great job of seeing that.

[careagax5m]

Hello!
Do you have the part numbers by any chance ? Thanks in advance.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by careagax5m

Hello!
Do you have the part numbers by any chance ? Thanks in advance.

That's asking, best to go to your dealer for that, the front lower competition arms appear to be vastly more dear due to their limited numbers with harder mount rubber inserts and special chassis set up points.

[vafan13]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

That's asking, best to go to your dealer for that, the front lower competition arms appear to be vastly more dear due to their limited numbers with harder mount rubber inserts and special chassis set up points.

I've seen no evidence of a different part for the competition pack front control arms. A change was made in March '13 for all M5 control arms that involves stiffer bushings (and there is a separate part number), but I've seen nothing specific to the comp pack. are you saying comp pack cars have different arms from non-comp March '13 on cars with the same part number?

and what do you mean by "special chassis set up points"?


To answer the part number question, lower control arms are 31122284977 (L) and 31122284978 (R). the newtis manual states that if one installs the newer LCAs on a pre March 13 car, one must also update the thrust arms. My guess is it's preferred, but not truly necessary. It also says an iSTEP update is necessary if it's below a certain version (probably march '13, but I forget exactly).

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by vafan13

I've seen no evidence of a different part for the competition pack front control arms. A change was made in March '13 for all M5 control arms that involves stiffer bushings (and there is a separate part number), but I've seen nothing specific to the comp pack. are you saying comp pack cars have different arms from non-comp March '13 on cars with the same part number?

and what do you mean by "special chassis set up points"?


To answer the part number question, lower control arms are 31122284977 (L) and 31122284978 (R). the newtis manual states that if one installs the newer LCAs on a pre March 13 car, one must also update the thrust arms. My guess is it's preferred, but not truly necessary. It also says an iSTEP update is necessary if it's below a certain version (probably march '13, but I forget exactly).

Hey vafan I wasn't 100% sure on that I was going by what was on ebay with standard m5 f10 arm suitable for standard M and not suitable for comp model.

[vafan13]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

Hey vafan I wasn't 100% sure on that I was going by what was on ebay with standard m5 f10 arm suitable for standard M and not suitable for comp model.

well now I'm curious. is there a current example you could link?

[careagax5m]

Hey guys
I was under the car today and was able to get the part numbers on the control arms. Please see photos

I also have a 2014 m5 COMP
[IMG][/IMG]


31122284675 is the same as 31-12-2-284-977 ( left side )


31-12-2-284-978 ( right side )

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by vafan13

well now I'm curious. is there a current example you could link?

Yer tis, same arm for front lower, fits standard one but not comp.