What is the difference between the street version and the race version of the SPL FLCA E9X?

The race version does not include the headlight adjusting rod. The street version described in this listing does include it. On a street-registered car, the headlight adjusting rod maintains proper headlight aim when the arm length is changed, which is required for road use and vehicle inspection. On a dedicated track car without road use requirements, the race version is the appropriate choice. Both versions provide the same camber, roll center, and track width adjustment range.

Does the SPL FLCA E9X fit xDrive or AWD E9X and E8X models?

No. The FLCA E9X is designed for rear-wheel-drive E9X and E8X models only. The lower control arm geometry on xDrive variants differs at the knuckle and subframe connection, and this arm will not fit AWD configurations.

What NVH impact should I expect on a street-driven E9X or E8X?

Replacing the OEM rubber lower control arm bushing with FK spherical bearings increases transmitted road noise and felt harshness on rough surfaces. On smooth roads, the difference is minimal. If spherical caster rod bushings or a spherical tension rod are also installed, all compliant front bushings are removed and NVH increases more noticeably on rough roads; described as loud harshness and noise on impacts rather than a jarring force. Running a high-quality shock absorber and more compliant tire construction or pressure reduces the effect.

Can I adjust camber without changing track width, or are both adjustments linked?

The Double Adjuster provides independent camber and track width adjustment through the rotating clamp system. Both settings can be changed independently and locked simultaneously with the rotating clamp. Camber is adjusted by rotating the adjuster; track width is set by the position of the arm along the subframe slot. An alignment technician familiar with SPL arms can set each independently.

Are replacement parts available if a rod end wears out?

Yes. SPL Parts offers replacement rod ends for the E9X FLCA. Replacement rod ends are available via the link on the SPL Parts product page. Contact SPL Parts directly if you need to confirm the correct replacement part for your specific arm.

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BP PRICING DIFFERENCE

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Description

SPL Parts Adjustable Front Lower Control Arms for E8x / E9x BMW 1 Series / 3 Series

Most suspension upgrades on the E9x 3 Series and E8x 1 Series stop at springs, shocks, and alignment settings within the factory adjustment range. The SPL Parts FLCA E9X goes further by replacing the factory lower control arm entirely; not because the OEM arm fails, but because it locks in three geometry variables that have a direct impact on handling that can never be optimized through alignment alone. The factory arm sets the front roll center, defines the camber range, and establishes track width as fixed values. When the car is lowered, the roll center drops relative to the center of gravity, increasing the effective lever arm that drives body roll and bump steer. The camber range available through the factory eccentric is insufficient for performance tire use or track alignment targets. And the track width stays wherever BMW set it; narrower than it could be for the platform’s handling potential. The FLCA E9X makes all three adjustable in one arm.

Features

Three adjustments in one arm: front camber, roll center, and front track width
Three-piece Teflon-lined FK spherical and Heim joints; eliminates OEM rubber bushing deflection and binding; correct ball joint angle for full articulation
SPL exclusive Double Adjuster machined from 4130 Chromoly; gun-drilled to reduce weight; electroless nickel-plated for corrosion resistance
360-degree rotating clamp with blue anodized titanium socket head cap screws; locks settings without jam nuts
Slotted main arm body with pinch bolt clamping
Multiple-size 304 stainless steel roll center spacers for precise correction across a wide range of ride heights
6061-T6 billet aluminum arm; lightweight titanium and Chromoly hardware throughout
Sold as a pair; made in the USA

Specifications

Body Material: 2024-T351 aluminum (gun-drilled, black anodized)
Bushings: PTFE-lined F1-fit FK USA spherical bearings
Adjustment: Camber, caster, track width
Hardware: Heat-treated chromoly with high-misalignment studs
Origin: Made in the USA

Applications

BMW 118d: E81, E82, E87, E88 | 2004-2013
BMW 120d: E81, E82, E87, E88 | 2004-2013
BMW 123d: E81, E82, E87, E88 | 2007-2013
BMW 116i: E81, E82, E87, E88 | 2004-2013
BMW 118i: E81, E82, E87, E88 | 2004-2013
BMW 120i: E81, E82, E87, E88 | 2004-2013
BMW 125i: E81, E82, E87, E88 | 2007-2013
BMW 128i: E81, E82, E87, E88 | 2007-2013
BMW 130i: E81, E82, E87, E88 | 2004-2013
BMW 135i: E81, E82, E87, E88 | 2007-2013
BMW 1M Coupé: E82 | 2011-2012
BMW 318d: E90, E91, E92, E93 | 2005-2013
BMW 320d: E90, E91, E92, E93 | 2005-2013
BMW 325d: E90, E91, E92, E93 | 2005-2013
BMW 330d: E90, E91, E92, E93 | 2005-2013
BMW 335d: E90, E91, E92, E93 | 2006-2013
BMW 316i: E90, E91, E92, E93 | 2005-2013
BMW 318i: E90, E91, E92, E93 | 2005-2013
BMW 320i: E90, E91, E92, E93 | 2005-2013
BMW 323i: E90, E91, E92, E93 | 2005-2011
BMW 325i: E90, E91, E92, E93 | 2005-2013
BMW 328i: E90, E91, E92, E93 | 2005-2013
BMW 330i: E90, E91, E92, E93 | 2005-2013
BMW 335i: E90, E91, E92, E93 | 2006-2013
BMW M3: E90, E92, E93 | 2007-2013

Notes

Installation Instruction
Not compatible with xDrive/AWD
For replacement rod ends, please contact us
SPL components are made-to-order in the USA; build time will be confirmed at the time of order

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the street version and the race version of the SPL FLCA E9X? The race version does not include the headlight adjusting rod. The street version described in this listing does include it. On a street-registered car, the headlight adjusting rod maintains proper headlight aim when the arm length is changed, which is required for road use and vehicle inspection. On a dedicated track car without road use requirements, the race version is the appropriate choice. Both versions provide the same camber, roll center, and track width adjustment range.
Does the SPL FLCA E9X fit xDrive or AWD E9x and E8x models? No. The FLCA E9X is designed for rear-wheel-drive E9x and E8x models only. The lower control arm geometry on xDrive variants differs at the knuckle and subframe connection, and this arm will not fit AWD configurations.
What NVH impact should I expect on a street-driven E9x or E8x? Replacing the OEM rubber lower control arm bushing with FK spherical bearings increases transmitted road noise and felt harshness on rough surfaces. On smooth roads, the difference is minimal. If spherical caster rod bushings or a spherical tension rod are also installed, all compliant front bushings are removed, and NVH increases more noticeably on rough roads; described by SPL as loud harshness and noise on impacts rather than a jarring force. Running a high-quality shock absorber and more compliant tire construction or pressure reduces the effect. For primarily street use on rough roads, this is the most important tradeoff to evaluate before purchasing.
Can I adjust camber without changing track width, or are both adjustments linked? The Double Adjuster provides independent camber and track width adjustment through the rotating clamp system. Both settings can be changed independently and locked simultaneously with the rotating clamp. Camber is adjusted by rotating the adjuster; track width is set by the position of the arm along the subframe slot. An alignment technician familiar with SPL arms can set each independently.
Are replacement parts available if a rod end wears out? Yes. SPL Parts offers replacement rod ends for the E9X FLCA. Replacement rod ends are available via the link on the SPL Parts product page. Contact SPL Parts directly if you need to confirm the correct replacement part for your specific arm.

About SPL Parts

SPL Parts is a USA-based manufacturer of high-performance suspension components engineered for both professional racing and demanding street applications. Built on the core principles of strength, lightweight construction, low friction, and precision, SPL Parts products deliver the adjustability and alignment performance required by top race teams and discerning enthusiasts alike. Every component is produced using USA-sourced, certified materials and machined by experienced local shops to exacting tolerances. Professional TIG welders ensure maximum weld integrity, while each part is hand-fitted and treated with anti-seize and 3M internal panel coating for lasting protection. SPL Parts conducts all research and development in-house, allowing the team to leverage firsthand product knowledge and deliver unmatched customer support. Their suspension components feature innovative adjuster designs for quicker, more precise alignments, and utilize spherical bearings with Teflon liners that are self-cleaning, self-lubricating, and built for long service life. From concept to assembly, SPL Parts is made with pride in the USA by skilled machinists and welders who are committed to quality, innovation, and performance.

Additional Information

The Bulletproof Automotive website contains many thousands of products purchased in multiple different currencies. All of the prices are entered manually and accurately at the time of entry. Due to the consistently fluctuating international exchange rates, at times prices may not be able to be honored at their original intended rate. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, unfortunately our website is unable to compensate dynamically for what can at times be volatile changes in the cost of items due to currency values fluctuating, changes in prices from suppliers, changes in shipping and import duties, and other factors. Rest assured that any order you place on line will be at zero risk to you in this area. If in the event your order cannot be fulfilled at the original intended website price we will offer you a 100% refund, no questions asked. We will continue to do our best to maintain updated prices and we will always continue to offer our price match guarantees as well to ensure our prices are always the best for you. In short, prices may change without notice. It is always advised to give us a call prior to placing your order online to confirm availability and to confirm current pricing.

Shipping Policy

Items that are in stock in the US, either at Bulletproof’s warehouse or at a supplier’s warehouse, are generally delivered within 7-10 days. Special order items from overseas take considerably longer. As a courtesy Bulletproof offers delivery estimates to our customers which take into consideration manufacturer availability and shipping schedule. These estimates represent our best guess based on previous orders from the manufacturer and do not in any way imply a guaranteed delivery window. Many manufacturers work in a “just in time” inventory system and often take 2-20+ weeks to produce an item once an order is submitted. All deliverable items are then sent to our Japanese warehouse. Bulletproof ships a minimum of one full ocean freight container every month from Japan, oftentimes more than one a month. Ocean freight takes an average of 4 weeks. Typically it breaks down to one week in Japan for paperwork and customs, two weeks by boat and one week in US customs/clearance. Due to the wide number of variables between manufacturer and shipping schedules, delivery estimates are simply just that – estimates. We attempt to estimate conservatively and we usually deliver faster than our estimates suggest. It is not Bulletproof’s policy to guarantee delivery time of any special order item, this is impossible for us to do. By ordering you acknowledge that there is no required delivery ETA and an order may not be canceled or altered due to manufacturing or shipping delays, all ETA’s are provided as a best guess only. Please review the full Terms & Conditions here.

BP Pricing Difference

We do pricing a little differently on our JDM brands and we believe in making things simple and clear. No hidden fees or surcharges. Every price you see includes the shipping cost to our office in Los Angeles, California and all the associated taxes/duties/fees for bringing the products into the US. The only shipping you ever pay is from our facility in the US to your location. Be wary of resellers that don’t include the cost of international shipping in their pricing on JDM parts. While we believe we’ll always have the lowest all-in price on JDM products, we offer a price match guarantee for all authentic parts purchased from authorized dealers as well. For many international customers, it’s much more affordable to ship from the USA than from Japan directly, as the air freight and ocean freight costs are typically much less. However, for customers looking to ship directly from Japan outside of North America, or domestically in Japan, we can provide pricing specifically for that scenario. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any pricing questions or concerns. Please email us at sales@bulletproofautomotive.com with any inquiries.

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SPL Parts Adjustable Front Lower Control Arms for E8x / E9x BMW 1 Series / 3 Series [SPLFLCAE9X]

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SPL Parts Adjustable Front Lower Control Arms for E8x / E9x BMW 1 Series / 3 Series

Features

Specifications

Applications

Notes

Frequently Asked Questions

About SPL Parts

Reviews