Lemforder VS Genuine BMW

[Sabs1815]

Hello All,

Looks like my X5M is due for some new lower control arms the bushings look worn and are starting to crack and I'm feeling a bit of wobble upon braking.

I've been a "BMW guy" for a while now and I know that Lemforder is a part manufacturer for BMW but I'm curious if the quality is actually the same. A genuine BMW lower control arm is retailing in the $400 neighborhood Vs the Lemforder which is going for $95.

I'm wondering if any has experience with Lemforder and their X5M or should I just bite the bullet and go Genuine BMW.

[Naz24]

Originally Posted by Sabs1815

Hello All,

Looks like my X5M is due for some new lower control arms the bushings look worn and are starting to crack and I'm feeling a bit of wobble upon braking.

I've been a "BMW guy" for a while now and I know that Lemforder is a part manufacturer for BMW but I'm curious if the quality is actually the same. A genuine BMW lower control arm is retailing in the $400 neighborhood Vs the Lemforder which is going for $95.

I'm wondering if any has experience with Lemforder and their X5M or should I just bite the bullet and go Genuine BMW.

I've actually heard good things. Have you also heard of Meyle HD bushings?

[Sabs1815]

Originally Posted by Naz24

I've actually heard good things. Have you also heard of Meyle HD bushings?

I've heard of Myle but apparently i can't just swap the bushing I need the entire control arm... is that false?

[Naz24]

Originally Posted by Sabs1815

I've heard of Myle but apparently i can't just swap the bushing I need the entire control arm... is that false?

If you don?t have the pressing tool, then yes you are right.

[heatmizr]

It's a simple hard part, can't mess it up too easily... I would def try it out at that price.

[deansbimmer]

Lemforder is of equal quality as BMW- they OEM many parts for BMW. In fact, many of their parts are made on the same line and have had the BMW logo milled or ground off to be sold under the Lemforder label instead.

[Sabs1815]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

Lemforder is of equal quality as BMW- they OEM many parts for BMW. In fact, many of their parts are made on the same line and have had the BMW logo milled or ground off to be sold under the Lemforder label instead.

That's great info! Thanks!

I'll probably end up with the lemforder, feel it may just be easier to replace the entire Arm as opposed to just the bushing truck is at 84K miles now can't hurt to be preventative

[deansbimmer]

It is definitely easier to replace the entire arm. Pressing out the bushing and replacing it alone gives you the option of upgrading. I installed Powerflex poly bushings in place of the OEM. Much more positive feeling.

[TKR]

DON'T buy unless you can verify also the bushing is OE quality.

I made the mistake and ordered that cheap Lemföerder arm thinking its all oem. Well, the arm is good but the bushing was totally crap quality. It lasted 10months/8k miles and then developed massive play and clunking sound.

Luckily the arm had 2yrs warranty and I was able to get my money back. (Except I had to ship it back).

A'm trying Febi version now myself, but if I was in your position I would go with original OE even it's 3x more expensive.

(And yes, the bushings were tightened in normal ride height position)

[jandref321]

I did lemforder sway bar end links for the wife’s e70 and they are solid parts...just like oem. I’ve also helped buddies do their lemforder e46 control arms and they were quality parts also.

[Kraftwerk AG]

Originally Posted by Sabs1815

Hello All,

Looks like my X5M is due for some new lower control arms the bushings look worn and are starting to crack and I'm feeling a bit of wobble upon braking.

I've been a "BMW guy" for a while now and I know that Lemforder is a part manufacturer for BMW but I'm curious if the quality is actually the same. A genuine BMW lower control arm is retailing in the $400 neighborhood Vs the Lemforder which is going for $95.

I'm wondering if any has experience with Lemforder and their X5M or should I just bite the bullet and go Genuine BMW.

I was wondering the exact same thing. Then I saw this video from FCP Euro...

[Sabs1815]

Originally Posted by DeeO

I was wondering the exact same thing. Then I saw this video from FCP Euro...

Thats a very informative video glad I saw that.

I'm probably going to pull the trigger on the lemforder and look for the differences between the two arms when I get em off the truck. The Cost difference is worth the risk worst case it comes and I send them back.

I'll let you guys know what comes of it

[TKR]

Took a video earlier comparing the aftermarket Lemfoerder and original.

The grey arm below is original. Black one is the aftermarket part after 8k miles.

Unfortunately I don't have detail pictures of the bushings itself but clearly the aftermarket bushing was different. It had less material and the shape of the rubber was different compared to original bushing.

Just fyi guys... Trying to save your money.

[smyles]

I had very bad experience specifically with lemforder lower 'thrust' arms, going through two (!) sets in less than two years.

Kudos to FCP guys, btw, but I feel like they know about the problem since these particular arms are heavily discounted now.

[Sabs1815]

Update: I made a mistake in my original post the Lemforder arms for the X5M were $189 not $95. I just pulled the trigger on the Lemforder Arms should be here Monday or Tuesday next week.

Ball joints are gone hearing some clunking come from the front suspension.

[askjeeves]

Originally Posted by Sabs1815

Update: I made a mistake in my original post the Lemforder arms for the X5M were $189 not $95. I just pulled the trigger on the Lemforder Arms should be here Monday or Tuesday next week.

Ball joints are gone hearing some clunking come from the front suspension.

Are you doing the work on your own? I've got the same problem I think, so would like to see how easy or difficult it is. Though I imagine it's much the same as it would be on any other car.

[m5james]

I don't recall which brands were used, but I've used FCP complete suspension swap kits before to redo two E53 X5's, an E38, some pieces here and there on my E70 (not a complete swap but I have asked about them making complete kits) and most recently my mothers E46. The lifetime guarantee thing FCP offers is cool and I'd imagine it wouldn't be very cost effective for them to have to continually warranty claim parts on their dime, so my .02 is to assume whatever kits they piece together would be beneficial for both parties since they tend to mix and match multiple brands into these complete suspension kits.

[-c-]

Yea it's always best to just buy the part from the OEM supplier and not the dealer as the supplier has a markup then BMW has their markup and finally the dealer.

It kills me buying parts from the dealer as I know roughly what Bmw pays the supplier for the parts. as I'm in the biz.

You will easily pay over double to 3 times what you should if you buy from a dealer. First always track down the oem supplier and see if they sell the parts first before going to the dealer. As the car ages more oem parts become available from non dealer outlets

[GoHokiesGo]

I actually replaced my e brake module this way. The Kostal unit sold thru ECS is the exact same part, minus the BMW logo, for half the cost. It's been working fine so far, and saving $600 is worth the risk for me.

[Sabs1815]

Originally Posted by askjeeves

Are you doing the work on your own? I've got the same problem I think, so would like to see how easy or difficult it is. Though I imagine it's much the same as it would be on any other car.

I don't plan on doing the job myself as It's probably Just easier to get it on a lift and I don't think I want to wait until I find the time to do it. Seems like it's becoming a pressing matter to get done.

Originally Posted by -c-

Yea it's always best to just buy the part from the OEM supplier and not the dealer as the supplier has a markup then BMW has their markup and finally the dealer.

It kills me buying parts from the dealer as I know roughly what Bmw pays the supplier for the parts. as I'm in the biz.

You will easily pay over double to 3 times what you should if you buy from a dealer. First always track down the oem supplier and see if they sell the parts first before going to the dealer. As the car ages more oem parts become available from non dealer outlets

Agreed with this which is why I opted for the lemforder variant. Back with my e46 m3 my clutch went and instead of paying $700 for an OEM Bmw clutch I got the LUK clutch which was the OEM replacement just not branded BMW. Together we can bring an end to ///M tax!!!!

Originally Posted by GoHokiesGo

I actually replaced my e brake module this way. The Kostal unit sold thru ECS is the exact same part, minus the BMW logo, for half the cost. It's been working fine so far, and saving $600 is worth the risk for me.

Almost every single part is available direct from the original manufacturer all of which usually have the same quality. I just wasn't sure if the lemforder rule I knew from the e46 days carried through with the E70 platform. It makes it much easier to own an M outside of warranty knowing all these options are available. In addition I found that the lemforder stuff comes with some sort of warranty which also brings ease to buying non BMW branded parts.

[philly42]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

It is definitely easier to replace the entire arm. Pressing out the bushing and replacing it alone gives you the option of upgrading. I installed Powerflex poly bushings in place of the OEM. Much more positive feeling.

Which Powerflex Poly bushing did you get...Street or Race? Was the ball joint at the other end fine?

Mine needs to be replaced and I'm on the fence on going Poly or OEM. More than likely if I go poly it would be street.

[philly42]

Originally Posted by Sabs1815

Update: I made a mistake in my original post the Lemforder arms for the X5M were $189 not $95. I just pulled the trigger on the Lemforder Arms should be here Monday or Tuesday next week.

Ball joints are gone hearing some clunking come from the front suspension.

Are these the Lemforder arms you got?
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...93-31126771894
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-31126771894-1

I may replace mine while doing the tension strut bushing.