Front Lower Control Arm - Rear

Maranello055 · 05-23-2023, 11:10 AM

Hi! I need to replace both from lower rear control arms on my F85. I was quoted $2100 through BMW which I find absurd. Looking around, there are no aftermarket lower control arms that are a direct fit for our vehicle.

Before you tell me, "Yes, you have an M car and be prepared for the M-Tax" I understand that!

From my research, the normal F15 Lower Control Arms are the EXACT physical size... but the center bushing is stiffer for the F85M. Is that correct?

I've tried searching the forums and I didn't really find the answers I was looking for. Has anyone purchased the regular F15 arms and installed new bushings?

Thanks all!

zeroping · 05-23-2023, 11:34 AM

It is my understanding that the only difference between F15 and F85 controls arms are the bushings. I too have been unable to locate anything except for OE which are certainly a premium.

NikNala · 05-23-2023, 04:33 PM

They are the same dimensions between both vehicles with the durometer of the bushing the only difference. I was having minor clunking from the front drivers side rear control arm of my F85 and I bought F15 control arms from rock auto(mevotech) for left and right and the bushing kit from Powerflex. This setup installed perfectly and has a little bit tighter feel than stock. I had the car’s alignment verified and it was still perfect. That should be enough proof that they are the same dimensions. Total cost for the arms and poly bushing was $250. I pressed out the old bearings, installed the poly bushings into the mevotech control arms and then installed them on the car so I really saved. They’ve been perfect ever since. The stock control arms are over $350 a piece if memory serves. Here is a post on the F15 forums with the process. The next link is to what I purchased from Powerflex.

https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1732240

https://www.powerflexusa.com/shop/pr...ory=1943#attr=

Maranello055 · 05-24-2023, 02:38 PM

Thank you both! This is exactly the confirmation I was looking for! Haha

Thanks NikiNala for the Part number's

simpleM3 · 05-26-2023, 03:32 PM

Out of curiosity, why buy f15 arms to install the bushings and not just install them onto your original arms?

Quote:

Originally Posted by NikNala

They are the same dimensions between both vehicles with the durometer of the bushing the only difference. I was having minor clunking from the front drivers side rear control arm of my F85 and I bought F15 control arms from rock auto(mevotech) for left and right and the bushing kit from Powerflex. This setup installed perfectly and has a little bit tighter feel than stock. I had the car’s alignment verified and it was still perfect. That should be enough proof that they are the same dimensions. Total cost for the arms and poly bushing was $250. I pressed out the old bearings, installed the poly bushings into the mevotech control arms and then installed them on the car so I really saved. They’ve been perfect ever since. The stock control arms are over $350 a piece if memory serves. Here is a post on the F15 forums with the process. The next link is to what I purchased from Powerflex.

https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1732240

https://www.powerflexusa.com/shop/pr...ory=1943#attr=

NikNala · 05-26-2023, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simpleM3

Out of curiosity, why buy f15 arms to install the bushings and not just install them onto your original arms?

I wanted new ball joints and I could replace the bushings ahead of time so the time my car was down was minimal. I didn’t know the difficulty level of pressing out the bushings. One less variable in the install time.

Maranello055 · 05-26-2023, 11:23 PM

My problem is the ball joints. The current bushings are solid.

simpleM3 · 05-29-2023, 11:57 PM

Thanks for clarifying. I plan to tackle this project on mine in the near future so good to know because I didn’t take the ball joints into consideration.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NikNala

I wanted new ball joints and I could replace the bushings ahead of time so the time my car was down was minimal. I didn’t know the difficulty level of pressing out the bushings. One less variable in the install time.

Cbozz · 05-30-2023, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NikNala

They are the same dimensions between both vehicles with the durometer of the bushing the only difference. I was having minor clunking from the front drivers side rear control arm of my F85 and I bought F15 control arms from rock auto(mevotech) for left and right and the bushing kit from Powerflex. This setup installed perfectly and has a little bit tighter feel than stock. I had the car’s alignment verified and it was still perfect. That should be enough proof that they are the same dimensions. Total cost for the arms and poly bushing was $250. I pressed out the old bearings, installed the poly bushings into the mevotech control arms and then installed them on the car so I really saved. They’ve been perfect ever since. The stock control arms are over $350 a piece if memory serves. Here is a post on the F15 forums with the process. The next link is to what I purchased from Powerflex.

https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1732240

https://www.powerflexusa.com/shop/pr...ory=1943#attr=

are those bushing for F15 or F85? I get they will fit but how will they perform? any feedback after a while of owning them???

NikNala · 05-31-2023, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cbozz

are those bushing for F15 or F85? I get they will fit but how will they perform? any feedback after a while of owning them???

They fit both. They are just a stiffer bushing than both the F15 and F85. I have about 20k miles on the arms and bushings and no issues. I can’t say I notice a huge difference but it has to be better and I don’t have to worry about that bushing failing again.

Cbozz · 06-01-2023, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NikNala

They fit both. They are just a stiffer bushing than both the F15 and F85. I have about 20k miles on the arms and bushings and no issues. I can’t say I notice a huge difference but it has to be better and I don’t have to worry about that bushing failing again.

yeah, that makes sense.. luckily I have two sets of the oem control arms ... but I may get these if I end up going through mine!

shimmy23 · 06-01-2023, 02:49 PM

power flex makes good stuff but i gotta laugh at the bmw mark up. i've bought power flex bushings for several cars now: classic bronco, yukon, vw. the markup on m cars is such a joke!

S65B40YYC · 07-30-2023, 08:22 AM

Reviving an old thread here, I just wanted to ask if this is applicable for the front tension struts (31-12-7-850-159) or the front lower control arms (31-12-7-850-158) or both?

I would be interested in going this way as I need the front right lower control arm with ball joint replaced per the dealer a d they quoted $17XX.00 materials and labour not including an alignment which is just nuts.

Thanks in advance

05-23-2023, 11:10 AM	#1
Maranello055 Private 16 Rep 67 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW X5M Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (1)	Front Lower Control Arm - Rear - Alternative? Hi! I need to replace both from lower rear control arms on my F85. I was quoted $2100 through BMW which I find absurd. Looking around, there are no aftermarket lower control arms that are a direct fit for our vehicle. Before you tell me, "Yes, you have an M car and be prepared for the M-Tax" I understand that! From my research, the normal F15 Lower Control Arms are the EXACT physical size... but the center bushing is stiffer for the F85M. Is that correct? I've tried searching the forums and I didn't really find the answers I was looking for. Has anyone purchased the regular F15 arms and installed new bushings? Thanks all! __________________ 2015 X5M
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05-23-2023, 11:34 AM	#2
zeroping Private 41 Rep 95 Posts Drives: 2018 X5 M (F85) Join Date: May 2022 Location: RI iTrader: (0)	It is my understanding that the only difference between F15 and F85 controls arms are the bushings. I too have been unable to locate anything except for OE which are certainly a premium.
	Appreciate 1 Maranello05516.00 Quote

05-23-2023, 04:33 PM	#3
NikNala Private 75 Rep 90 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW X5M Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Enterprise, AL iTrader: (0)	They are the same dimensions between both vehicles with the durometer of the bushing the only difference. I was having minor clunking from the front drivers side rear control arm of my F85 and I bought F15 control arms from rock auto(mevotech) for left and right and the bushing kit from Powerflex. This setup installed perfectly and has a little bit tighter feel than stock. I had the car’s alignment verified and it was still perfect. That should be enough proof that they are the same dimensions. Total cost for the arms and poly bushing was $250. I pressed out the old bearings, installed the poly bushings into the mevotech control arms and then installed them on the car so I really saved. They’ve been perfect ever since. The stock control arms are over $350 a piece if memory serves. Here is a post on the F15 forums with the process. The next link is to what I purchased from Powerflex. https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1732240 https://www.powerflexusa.com/shop/pr...ory=1943#attr= __________________ 2016 X5M DGM BM3 Stage 1 91 RK Autowerks Intake & RW Carbon parts
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05-24-2023, 02:38 PM	#4
Maranello055 Private 16 Rep 67 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW X5M Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (1)	Thank you both! This is exactly the confirmation I was looking for! Haha Thanks NikiNala for the Part number's __________________ 2015 X5M
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05-26-2023, 11:23 PM	#7
Maranello055 Private 16 Rep 67 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW X5M Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (1)	My problem is the ball joints. The current bushings are solid. __________________ 2015 X5M
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		BMW X5 and X6 Forum (F15/F16) > BMW X5 (F15) and BMW X6 (F16) Forum > BMW X5M (F85) and X6M (F86) Forum
Front Lower Control Arm - Rear - Alternative?

06-01-2023, 02:49 PM	#12
shimmy23 F15 daddymobile 2358 Rep 3,535 Posts Drives: GS X5 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: WA iTrader: (3)	power flex makes good stuff but i gotta laugh at the bmw mark up. i've bought power flex bushings for several cars now: classic bronco, yukon, vw. the markup on m cars is such a joke! __________________ -brandon F15 Glacier Silver journal
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07-30-2023, 08:22 AM	#13
S65B40YYC Private First Class 35 Rep 145 Posts Drives: 08' E93 M3 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: YYC iTrader: (0)	Reviving an old thread here, I just wanted to ask if this is applicable for the front tension struts (31-12-7-850-159) or the front lower control arms (31-12-7-850-158) or both? I would be interested in going this way as I need the front right lower control arm with ball joint replaced per the dealer a d they quoted $17XX.00 materials and labour not including an alignment which is just nuts. Thanks in advance
	Appreciate 0 Quote