[peanut_man]

Hi,

I have an 2008 335i sportpkg. It got about 56k miles on it. Took my car to the mechanic for a different problem and he said the front control arm bushings needs to be replaced. (Seems to be a common problem).

Quote was $500. Is that reasonable? And will I need an alignment after this?

Thanks

[itsstock02]

Replacement arms are about $80 a piece from FCP Euro. Install is pretty simple from what i've read.

[sunny]

I was quoted left and right bushing plus alignment for 650.00 from indi. Dealer quoted 950.00
You can do it yourself and get the car aligned and save 300.00 to 400.00.

[Murf]

I just had this done. I bought the parts from FCP for $185 and had a local indy install and align for another $250. $500 all in doesn't sound bad if they are going to replace the entire arm and not just the bushing.

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by sunny

I was quoted left and right bushing plus alignment for 650.00 from indi. Dealer quoted 950.00
You can do it yourself and get the car aligned and save 300.00 to 400.00.

How can I tell if I need new control arms? What are the symptoms? I haven't read too much on this subject.

Look under the front of the car with the underbody shield removed, the thrust arm bushings are the ones that fail often, they are filled with fluid, look for oil stains around the arm near the bushing/tears.

If you have 100k+ and they are original, they are 99 percent already blown.

[GoRomeo]

Originally Posted by index1489

Look under the front of the car with the underbody shield removed, the thrust arm bushings are the ones that fail often, they are filled with fluid, look for oil stains around the arm near the bushing/tears.

If you have 100k+ and they are original, they are 99 percent already blown.

Thanks, I did look last time I had my car on the lift and did not see any stains around the bushings or anything. Thats why I ask. did not see any worn bushings or anything...

[mbanks21]

You can get M3 control arms for under $400 and pay someone $100-150 to install them if you're not inclined to do it yourself.

[hockeyplayer]

Order them & do it yourself. Its just as easy as an oil change. Hardest part is getting the underpan off.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tech...eplacement.htm

You will need alignment.

[peanut_man]

The $500 quote was for the bushing replacement only not the whole arm. Sounds like it maybe best to replace the entire control arms (I'm assuming they would come with bushings already installed) and get an alignment?

What is the advantage of replacing it with the M3 control arms?

[kiel_dafo_kenyg_as]

If one has the right tools it's a piece of cake.
If not, it's very hard to get the old parts separated from their chuck cones and rusty threads.

[hockeyplayer]

Originally Posted by whiteblue

If one has the right tools it's a piece of cake.
If not, it's very hard to get the old parts separated from their chuck cones and rusty threads.

A pry bar an penetrating oil will likely do nicely.

[hockeyplayer]

Originally Posted by peanut_man

The $500 quote was for the bushing replacement only not the whole arm. Sounds like it maybe best to replace the entire control arms (I'm assuming they would come with bushings already installed) and get an alignment?

What is the advantage of replacing it with the M3 control arms?

It changes the alignment angles and can result in better handling. That is of course subjective though.

[badassfajita]

1) Definitely find an indy.
2) Buy the parts from fcpeuro, in my case, i bought the Meyle HD arms, for about $200.
3) I paid my indy two hours of labor - $160

And then align. So $500 and you should be good with NEW Upgraded ARMS with rubber cores that won't blow up like the OEM.

By the way, its much easier to change the whole arm rather than replace the bushings. I think I was quoted 3+ hours if I was going to replace just the bushing. Might as well get the whole arm.

[peanut_man]

Thanks for all the response that was useful.

On the topic of OEM vs Meyle HD arms, OEM is oil-filled bushings vs Meyle's solid rubber core (correct?). I assume BMW uses hydraulic bushing to reduce NVH? Would the Meyle HD arms allow more noise / vibration coming thru the cabin more than OEM?

In general I'd like to stay close to OEM as possible, but in this case it seems to be a longevity issue.

Thanks again.

[peanut_man]

Also before I order the parts, I just wanted to make sure I get the right one, the arm I want is #2 on the diagram below, correct? Not the #4:

[bender rodriguez]

Originally Posted by peanut_man

Thanks for all the response that was useful.

On the topic of OEM vs Meyle HD arms, OEM is oil-filled bushings vs Meyle's solid rubber core (correct?). I assume BMW uses hydraulic bushing to reduce NVH? Would the Meyle HD arms allow more noise / vibration coming thru the cabin more than OEM?

In general I'd like to stay close to OEM as possible, but in this case it seems to be a longevity issue.

Thanks again.

I replaced my control arms with meyle HD because I didn't want to replace the arms again in 70k. I have to say I don't like them. They seem to be very sensitive to road condition. Half the high ways I go on I notice a very slight shimmy in the steering wheel. The only way you notice it is if you let go of the wheel and just rest your finger on top to feel the shimmy.

[mbanks21]

Originally Posted by bender rodriguez

I replaced my control arms with meyle HD because I didn't want to replace the arms again in 70k. I have to say I don't like them. They seem to be very sensitive to road condition. Half the high ways I go on I notice a very slight shimmy in the steering wheel. The only way you notice it is if you let go of the wheel and just rest your finger on top to feel the shimmy.

I have to ask, you did get an alignment afterwards right?

[gds52]

Originally Posted by mbanks21

You can get M3 control arms for under $400 and pay someone $100-150 to install them if you're not inclined to do it yourself.

+1
check this link for price and details. I'm also planning to get these.
$500 labor seems higher.
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-12...t-e82-e9x.aspx

[hockeyplayer]

Originally Posted by peanut_man

Also before I order the parts, I just wanted to make sure I get the right one, the arm I want is #2 on the diagram below, correct? Not the #4:

#2 is sometimes called "thrust arm" and are the ones that commonly go bad first. Hope that answers your question.

[brocklanders]

Originally Posted by hockeyplayer

Order them & do it yourself. Its just as easy as an oil change. Hardest part is getting the underpan off.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/tech...eplacement.htm

You will need alignment.

I put poly bushings in my car that had 3k miles on it, it is not quite as easy as an oil change. First off the bolts on the ball joints are prone to rust, and torqued to over 120ft/lbs. I had broken three torx bit sockets before a friend came to my rescue with an impact. Then you must load the suspension to tighten and torque the control arm bolts to the subframe, I'm not trying to scare anyone but it's not quite as easy as you are trying to make it out to be.

[brocklanders]

Also if you are going to have a shop do it just get the bushings. I swapped mine with a $100 press from Northern Tool, any competent shop should be able to do this at a considerably lower price. Most places will be able to swap bushings without even taking the whole arm out, they drop the bushing end of the arm and press old out and put the new in while its hanging off the car.