M3 and non-M3 Control Arms
 

Well, it's time to do the lower control arm bushings and ball joints again (4th time, ugh!), hence just getting entirely new arms. One source (www.understeer.com/lcab.shtml) says that the bushings from '96 and onwards M3s are stronger and last longer than the direct replacement part, but he didn't replace the entire arm in his write up, he only replaced the bushing.

Since dealing with individual bushings and ball joints is an invitation to swear in many tongues, perhaps even invent new ones, I'm replacing the entire arm which includes bushing and joint. Here's the question: does anyone know if the control arm for the '96+ M3 can be a direct replacement, the only difference between the strength of the bushings and perhaps the ball joint, or is the arm of the M3 of a different design and geometry? Thanks.

yes you can. i have 96+ m3 lcab and control arms.