Wishbone for B3 E36 1999?

[atticus]

Hello All

A little help is needed, please!

At my last service, some play was reported in the driver side front wishbone. I booked in for the repair, but when I turned up on the day, the part that had arrived was not suitable. Apparently the bush on the end was straight - but this being an Alpina, the bush needs to be cranked.

Anyway, after some more looking around, another, more expensive part, was sourced from BMW. This is a BMW wishbone, with the bush bought separately from the regular supplier.

However, when the garage asked if it was available, or on back order, they were told this part no longer exists (also that it is the wishbone off an E30 M3 - which is not my car!) The bush is available, but the required wishbone is not, at least not through the regular channels.

The garage suggested I contact the Alpina Brotherhood, as there is most likely someone who has come up against the same issue. Also that this is often the best place to find a source for odd, or difficult to find parts.

So, could anyone advise where I might get a 31-121 130 782?

Many thanks indeed, in advance!

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[simon13]

are you talking about the wishbone or the bush at the back? theres lots of options here!!

E30 arms are a direct fit and advised as the outer ball joint is normal unlike the e36 item which is rubber encased and they're a bit crap and don't last. The only difference with E30 M3 wishbones is that they are aluminium and alot lighter than the standard arm which is mild steel so less unsprung weight. You cant replace the ball joints on these arms as they brake/crack

The bush at the back? well standard part again is the same as an e30 part and they wear quite quickly so the known mod is to fit a solid bush. This is where it can be confusing. You can get a solid bush with a concentric hole - of an M3 evo, OR a solid bush with an eccentic hole off an E30 M3 or 3.0 e36 M3. This bush will need the tracking reset but it improves the caster by moving the front wheel slightly in the arch and improve steering feel - which isn't an e36 strong point

In terms of Alpina they just used the standard e36 setup which as we know can be improved!

[Sab]

Agree with Simon.

When I restored my B3 I discovered the wishbone bush on the e36 was solid with no give whereas the e30 wishbone has the rubber bush with gives a little flex to the front.

The lollipop bushes used were Alpina specific and as you say are still available.

Hope this helps.

[atticus]

Thanks to simon13 & San for their input here - much appreciated!

To clarify, the front, driver side wishbone was reported as having some 'play' in it at a recent service. The garage says that BMW have no stock of the required original part.

They said they could go with standard issue BMW wishbone but this starts bringing car back to its original BMW configuration; also that they'd need to do both front wheels so they match, also that due to the age of the car, things could start getting expensive really quickly, depending on how many other parts will need to be changed as well.

I've emailed Schmiedmann in Odense for their input as well.

It sounds like you guys recommend using the E30 wishbones; due in part to superior construction and improved handling? Would that be correct?

Thanks!

[Sab]

The front wishbones were the oem BMW wishbones used on the donor car that went onto Alpina to convert into the B3.

I only found the lollipop bushes to be Alpina.

Hope that helps.

[MrRetrofit]

The front wishbones are the stock 325/328 arms with a 3.0 M3 bush

i actually think 3.0 M3 arms are the same as non M but with the offset bush

my suggestion would be fit the stock arm with powerflex offset bush

[Bob]

Atticus - all the parts lists from ALPINA are here: https://thealpinaregister.com/forums/vi ... 38&t=24985

Presuming you have a 3.2, the wishbone and associated bushings should be standard 328i parts. The only suspension parts charged are the springs, shocks, top mounts, etc If your car doesn’t have that now, it suggests it has been changed at some point in its past