V8R vs stock NB miata lower control arms side by side
 

I actually looked for a similar comparison a few months back and couldn't find one. The uppers are similar enough but the lowers aren't even close. I'll post the fronts tomorrow. Finally got all the bushings off the car.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...addfbd1c02.jpg

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...0cd3f5c6d7.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...f9cb724b38.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...6bd936f673.jpg

Interestingly, the V8R pieces are actually slightly heavier then stock by a couple ounces, not pounds lighter as advertised. The bushed ones may be a bit lighter, but big solid rod ends are indeed heavy.

https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...fd&oe=5EDCED9E

https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...53&oe=5EDB1761

Noted the same things when I swapped mine. Also got refunded for the trash x-life rear upper arms and had to buy the normal rear uppers

I think the x-lite were a great idea in theory, but they missed the mark on a few aspects of design for sure. Wouldn't put them on my car. Surprised no one makes BMW-esque forged aluminum arms for these cars.

The OEM BMW arms are cast aluminum, not forged. Casting is totally an economy of scale, doing a small batch run of ~500 (doubt you could even sell that many to Miata owners) would likely be very expensive. Not counting R&D work. BMW makes it work ordering 30,000 at a time I'm sure.

They're deffo forged, friend. Have owned enough M cars to know.

oh ok so 2lb lighter +/- 20lb?

M cars might be, we can agree to disagree on the regular ones.

regular cars are stamped steel.

You guys are missing the point. V8r is a little out of touch with their claims.

It's almost like formed steel is a has a great cost to strength ratio while maintaining reasonably low weight when properly designed. Most Miata owners are about the costs effective methods.

2004 BMW brochure says forged aluminum front lower arms on a 325i.

http://www.auto-brochures.com/makes/...dan_2004-1.pdf

Can you post the differences between the uppers or if the difference are of any consequence? I was thinking of getting a set of the tubular uppers this winter.

The v8r uppers are a lot thinner - that is, more shock clearance. They have an outer eccentric (rear) and a nice replaceable balljoint (front). Have nothing but good things to say about them, and the price is right.