e36 ball joints..?

[brehmer]

I just bought a 99 328is and it needs outer lower ball joints. Can I replace just the ball joints or do I have to get the hole lower control arm?

[B C]

You can replace the joints but replacing the arm with new joints installed is preferred.

Which do you prioritize higher: keeping costs down, or making the installation painless?

Also, are you looking for performance or comfort?

[brehmer]

For now I just want to keep the cost down I blew most of my budget on the car but its rust free so it was worth it.

[patsbimmer1]

It is 100% possible to do just the joints and you can rent a ball joint press from Advance Auto.  I was fortunate enough to use an impact and a ball joint press at work to do a few.  It is really not that much more difficult to save yourself the $100.  You could also make friends with a shop and they may only charge a few tenths of an hour to do it once the arms are off.