Control arms, Tie rods etc.,
 

I know certain things you can replace with other manufacturer, but should parts such as control arms, tie rods be replaced by OEM parts? Are there any manufacturer that make parts equal to OEM without the OEM price?

Its been beaten to death recently but most of our OE suspension components are made by Lemfoerder. Using Febi/Bilstein, Lemfoerder, or Meyle HD components on replacement as opposed to "Genuine BMW in BMW box" will be comparable to OE.

If you'd like to replace with Genuine BMW then go for it but I can't afford the dealer's price tag, for example a Lemfoerder rear control arm is $100 but in the BMW box its approx $300

I dont mind using non OE parts as as long as they meet specification

Then feel free to use the brands I posted (I do) with no qualms

Yup, pretty much what RB said.

I would have no qualms using Lemforder or Meyle HD (HD only) for the suspension.

Sorry for hijacking the thread...Did anyone buy the suspension refresh kit (level1,2,3) ECS is selling?
I am looking to rebuild my front suspension even though just a control arm is bad at the moment...I know others will follow soon..

^it lools like they have different kits based on the brand of parts. The Lemforder and BMW OE kits look to be good to go.

You might be able to shave some off by buying piecemeal and getting torsion strut bushings instead of arm assemblies.

ECS suspension kits IMO blow, pretty badly.

Most of them have Uro, MTC, or other cheap parts in the kit.

Just buy the parts you need from ECS but choose the proven brands, the only savings you are getting in the pre-made "kits" from ECS is that they are sprinkled here and there with cheaper parts.

I bought this kit from FCP BMW 20 Piece Control Arm Kit (X5 E53) - X520PIECEKITMY1 | FCP Euro

I'll post my review/impression when I install them.

I have some loyalty discount code you can use too, if you decide buy from them.

Even cheapest parts meet specification but quality varies greatly by brand and manufacture.

Agree with RB. I would avoid Uro and MTC. They are crap.