BMW Control Arm Replacements & Upgrades for BMW Z3 (1996-2002)

Tasked with keeping the vehicles rear end firmly mounted while absorbing noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) factory rubber subframe bushings were engineered to provide a balance of control while keeping the ride quality soft and supple. As a factory bushings age, they become brittle and begin to harden. When this happens the bushing will actually shrink and allow excess play, or movement in the subframe. This is typically felt by a sudden jerk or "thunking" noise under acceleration and is a leading cause of "sloppy" or "loose" suspension feel. By replacing the bushings with full polyurethane this play is eliminated since the subframe is being held in place by a much stiffer material that will not harden or shrink over time. Additionally, the inherent stiffness of the urethane material translates body forces much more directly. This means steering and acceleration inputs from the driver are effectively transferred to the wheels and vital road information is transmitted properly from the wheels to the driver. 

Powerflex street bushings are ideal for street driven vehicles and those that see occasional autocross or track time. Need bushings for a dedicated track car? Powerflex Black Series bushings are the ultimate in track and race bushings. Featuring 95A durometer polyurethane, Black Series bushings are 25% stiffer than street bushings. Engineered to perform, Powerflex performance polyurethane bushings offer a supreme level of control, while still providing enough comfort for the street, with advanced polyurethane that reduces NVH that often accompanies lesser bushings. Expect improved steering feel, turn in, more responsive handling and overall improved chassis composure with Powerflex performance polyurethane control arm bushings.

Poweflex is a leading manufacturer of aftermarket suspension bushings. Using state of the art design and manufacturing, all replacement bushings are engineered to out-perform and out-last the ones that came in the car. Each line of bushings is meticulously tested and then re-tested to ensure perfect fitment and enduring quality through the life of the vehicle. A full lifetime warranty backs every one of their products and demonstrates the level of confidence and commitment Powerflex has to their customers. 

This part fits the following BMWs:
1982 - 1991 E30 318i 318is 325 325e 325es 325i 325is 325iC 325ix
1992-1999 E36 318i 318is 318ti 320i 323i 325i 325is 328i 328is M3
1995 - 2002 M Coupe Z3 2.8 Z3 3.0

Bushings tends to wear over time and split or even break free from the internal sleeve, causing excessive movement and sloppy control feel. OEM Lemförder bushings are the perfect option to restore suspension back to day 1 quality.

OEM Lemförder is an engineering company that focuses on high-quality, precision manufacturing of critical suspension and steering components. Providing exceptionally high quality parts directly to BMW, as well as 50+ other big name automotive companies, such as Mercedes and Audi, their history of reliability and variety of offered parts makes them one of the biggest names for a go-to OEM parts provider. Lemförder parts place an important emphasis on design, production, and assembly, ensuring maximum reliability. They even coat all parts possible with corrosion protection for extended longevity.

As a leading source of high performance BMW parts and accessories since 1993, we at Turner Motorsport are honored to be the go-to supplier for tens of thousands of enthusiasts the world over. With over two decades of parts, service, and racing experience under our belt, we provide only quality performance and replacement parts.  All of our performance parts are those we would (and do!) install and run on our own cars, as well as replacement parts that are Genuine BMW or from OEM manufacturers. We only offer parts we know you can trust to perform!

Bushings tends to wear over time and split or even break free from the internal sleeve, causing excessive movement and sloppy control feel. OEM Lemförder bushings are the perfect option to restore suspension back to day 1 quality.

OEM Lemförder is an engineering company that focuses on high-quality, precision manufacturing of critical suspension and steering components. Providing exceptionally high quality parts directly to BMW, as well as 50+ other big name automotive companies, such as Mercedes and Audi, their history of reliability and variety of offered parts makes them one of the biggest names for a go-to OEM parts provider. Lemförder parts place an important emphasis on design, production, and assembly, ensuring maximum reliability. They even coat all parts possible with corrosion protection for extended longevity.

As a leading source of high performance BMW parts and accessories since 1993, we at Turner Motorsport are honored to be the go-to supplier for tens of thousands of enthusiasts the world over. With over two decades of parts, service, and racing experience under our belt, we provide only quality performance and replacement parts.  All of our performance parts are those we would (and do!) install and run on our own cars, as well as replacement parts that are Genuine BMW or from OEM manufacturers. We only offer parts we know you can trust to perform!

One common weak point in the E36 3-series model range is in the mounting and ball joints of the suspension. The front suspension ball joints in particular are prone to wearing out quite quickly thanks to a soft material in the ball joint itself, leaving you in a potentially dangerous situation. At best, worn ball joints and bushings will give you poor steering feedback and clunking noises. However, loose or worn ball joints will have excessive play which will drastically reduce the effectiveness of the steering and suspension. In extreme cases, the ball joint has been known to pop free of the control arm, resulting in total steering loss.

Meyle has addressed this problem with a higher-grade metal in their HD ball joints, similar to those used on the E36 M3. The metal will not wear or fatigue nearly as fast as the standard ball joints. The lifespan is greatly extended. A side benefit of the stiffer joint is better steering response. The metal will not flex or deflect like plastic, rubber, or any other material. The lack of play will mean sharper steering, restoring much of the car's precision and fun-to-drive character. Meyle is a German brand in business since 1958 and all of their products are TUV approved and meet or exceed ISO standards.

We supply the Meyle HD control arms as a set with new M3 rubber control arm bushings. You can choose bushings with either a centered hole (same as stock original) or with an offset hole (adds caster and camber). The stock rubber bushings (manufactured by Boge) will be perfect for most people but if you're looking for an upgrade, the offset bushings will give the car quicker steering response. The solid rubber mounts last longer and give better feedback than the original web design.

All Meyle HD parts come with a 4-year, unlimited mileage warranty.

Features:

• 4 Year Warranty

• All metal ball joints are more reliable and longer lasting than stock

• Bushings are solid rubber rather than fluid filled, providing longevity and handling feel improvements

Package Options:
Bushings without control arm brackets.
Bushings pre-installed into new control arm brackets

Applications:
1992-1999 E36 318i, 318is, 323i, 323is, 325i, 325is, 328i, 328is, including all sedan, coupe, and convertible models.
1995-1999 E36 318ti Compact and hatchback models
1996-2001 Z3 1.9, 2.3, 2.5, 2.8, 3.0

Eliminate the most common sources of suspension slop with our all new Turner Suspension Refresh Kits that feature only OEM parts! We do not include any "cheap parts" in our refresh kits to ensure long-lasting reliability and noise-free suspension.

This Level 2 kit replaces:

Subframe Bushings
Shock Mounts & Reinforcement Plates
Differential Bushing
Rear Trailing Arm Bushings
Sway Bar End Links
Hardware

The Powerflex Rear Trailing Arm Bushing for BMW E30, Z3, E21, E36/5 (318ti), and 2002 models is a high-performance suspension upgrade designed to replace the stock rubber bushings. Made from durable polyurethane, this bushing enhances the connection between the trailing arm and chassis, resulting in better handling and improved suspension control.

Key Features:

• Material: Made from high-quality polyurethane, which offers superior durability and resistance to wear compared to standard rubber bushings.
• Performance Improvement: Minimizes flex and movement in the rear trailing arms, leading to better suspension alignment, increased stability, and more precise handling, especially during cornering and hard acceleration.
• Direct Replacement: This bushing is a direct-fit replacement for the factory bushings in BMW E30, Z3, E21, E36/5, and 2002 models, ensuring easy installation without modifications.
• Longevity: Polyurethane bushings last longer than rubber, offering extended service life, especially in demanding driving conditions.

Benefits:

• Enhanced Stability: Reduces excessive movement in the rear suspension, providing improved cornering performance and reducing body roll.
• Increased Durability: Polyurethane resists wear from heat, oils, and road debris, ensuring longer-lasting performance compared to rubber bushings.
• Better Control: Firmer suspension response improves driving precision, making this an excellent choice for both street and track use.

The Powerflex Rear Trailing Arm Bushing is perfect for BMW enthusiasts who want to improve the performance, handling, and longevity of their car’s suspension. Ideal for both daily driving and performance-focused builds.

Control arm bushings play a key role in connecting the wheels to the chassis of the vehicle. Tasked with keeping suspension geometry in check while absorbing noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) factory rubber bushings were engineered to provide a balance of comfort and control. As a factory bushing ages, it becomes brittle and begins to harden. When this happens the bushing will actually shrink and allow excess play in the suspension joint. This is typically felt by a sudden jerk forward after the car comes to a stop and is a leading cause of "sloppy" or "loose" suspension feel. By replacing the bushing with a full polyurethane unit or using a bushing insert, this play is eliminated since the suspension joint is being supported by a much stiffer material that will not harden or shrink over time. Additionally, the inherent stiffness of the urethane material translates body forces much more directly. This means steering inputs from the driver are effectively transferred to the wheels and vital road information is transmitted properly from the wheels to the driver.

Powerflex street bushings are ideal for street driven vehicles and those that see occasional autocross or track time. Need bushings for a dedicated track car? Powerflex Black Series bushings are the ultimate in track and race bushings. Featuring 95A durometer polyurethane, Black Series bushings are 25% stiffer than street bushings. Engineered to perform, Powerflex performance polyurethane control arm bushings offer a supreme level of control, while still providing enough comfort for the street, with advanced polyurethane that reduces NVH that often accompanies lesser bushings. Expect improved steering feel, turn in, more responsive handling and overall improved chassis composure with Powerflex performance polyurethane control arm bushings.

Poweflex is a leading manufacturer of aftermarket suspension bushings. Using state of the art design and manufacturing, all replacement bushings are engineered to out-perform and out-last the ones that came in the car. Each line of bushings is meticulously tested and then re-tested to ensure perfect fitment and enduring quality through the life of the vehicle. A full lifetime warranty backs every one of their products and demonstrates the level of confidence and commitment Powerflex has to their customers. 

The Powerflex [PFF5-303H] Front Lower Control Arm Rear Bushing Eccentric (Heritage) is designed for BMW E36, E30, Z3, and Z1 models.

• Heritage Style: Retro look with modern polyurethane for durability.
• Eccentric Design: Adjusts suspension geometry, increasing caster for better handling.
• Improved Performance: Reduces play in the control arms, enhancing steering precision and stability.
• Durable: Resistant to wear and road contaminants, lasting longer than rubber.

Ideal for keeping the classic look of your BMW while improving handling and longevity.