Worn subframe bushes

Averdi · 07-19-2018, 03:45 PM

Hey guys, I know this is for 3 series but I recently purchased a x5 with 180k miles to commute back and forth from to work. My technician recently looked it over and spotted out that it needs new subframe bushes all around. I've called 10 shops and they either don't want to do it because they don't have the tools, or they quoted me 2k+

So what I'm asking IS, what should I do?

I am not spending 2-3k on bushings because that is how much I've paid for the car.

Is it dangerous to drive with worn subframe bushes?? I can live with the little "thump" but if I could potentially get injured that's a different story.

Please leave me with some insight please. It's either I find a good cheaper shop, sell it, or live with it.

mweisdorfer · 07-19-2018, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Averdi

Hey guys, I know this is for 3 series but I recently purchased a x5 with 180k miles to commute back and forth from to work. My technician recently looked it over and spotted out that it needs new subframe bushes all around. I've called 10 shops and they either don't want to do it because they don't have the tools, or they quoted me 2k+

So what I'm asking IS, what should I do?

I am not spending 2-3k on bushings because that is how much I've paid for the car.

Is it dangerous to drive with worn subframe bushes?? I can live with the little "thump" but if I could potentially get injured that's a different story.

Please leave me with some insight please. It's either I find a good cheaper shop, sell it, or live with it.

Change them yourself.

You can rent the special tools. You are going to want to drop the subframe, in the rear, completely out of the car, if it's been in the rust belt part of the country (mid-west) or any state the uses salt on the road in the winter.

If it's a southern, west coast car then you might get away with dropping the subframe 6" or so, in order to change them.

You can search DIY's on this forum. It's been covered rather extensively.

TemjinX2 · 07-19-2018, 05:07 PM

its expensive since its labor intensive and you live in a high labor rate state.

i think if your just putting around in traffic all day, should be ok, but anything high speed, i would probably get it fixed or replaced.

tlow98 · 07-19-2018, 05:30 PM

YOu have a pic of how bad they are? Likely biggest issue faster than normal wear in the tries and compromised handling in extreme situations

robthewrench · 07-20-2018, 07:30 AM

You bought a $3K 180K mile BMW and you don't want to spend money on it? I wouldn't think you could buy any $3K car 180K mile car and not have to spend some money on it. Because it's a BMW, that will just be more money.

mattgu40 · 07-20-2018, 11:01 AM

DIY subframe bushing inserts, Relatively easy and cheap process, and i think it would fix the issue by making your subframe bushings solid(allmost).

6ixSpd · 07-20-2018, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robthewrench

You bought a $3K 180K mile BMW and you don't want to spend money on it? I wouldn't think you could buy any $3K car 180K mile car and not have to spend some money on it. Because it's a BMW, that will just be more money.

Gotta tell the newphews you drive a BMW tho.

Averdi · 07-20-2018, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattgu40

DIY subframe bushing inserts, Relatively easy and cheap process, and i think it would fix the issue by making your subframe bushings solid(allmost).

Where can I find them??

mattgu40 · 07-21-2018, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Averdi

Where can I find them??

ECS tuning haves them.

here is a thread about them

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=543295

TemjinX2 · 07-21-2018, 01:11 PM

just fyi...solid bushings will make more noise in the rear end then oem.

mweisdorfer · 07-21-2018, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Averdi

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattgu40

DIY subframe bushing inserts, Relatively easy and cheap process, and i think it would fix the issue by making your subframe bushings solid(allmost).

Where can I find them??

I'd just use OEM bushings for a car that has 180,000 miles. FCP Euro has them and you get s lifetime warranty. They will also price match any on-line store that they consider to be a competitor.

You will need to buy, make, or rent the tool necessary to get them in & out.

Go to : http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/

To get part numbers.

I'd talk to a sales rep and get any questions answers.

Efthreeoh · 07-22-2018, 06:57 AM

I have/had some really old BMWs with really high miles on them. Never replaced a subfame bushing. Are they really worn? Are there any odd sounds made by the chassis when driving it over bumpy roads or during turns? Drive another X5 and see if that one drives any better than yours.

Sounds like your mechanic is trying to make a job out of something that's not necessary.

07-19-2018, 03:45 PM	#1
Averdi Colonel 160 Rep 2,016 Posts Drives: 2010 335i xDrive Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: NJ iTrader: (1)	Worn subframe bushes Hey guys, I know this is for 3 series but I recently purchased a x5 with 180k miles to commute back and forth from to work. My technician recently looked it over and spotted out that it needs new subframe bushes all around. I've called 10 shops and they either don't want to do it because they don't have the tools, or they quoted me 2k+ So what I'm asking IS, what should I do? I am not spending 2-3k on bushings because that is how much I've paid for the car. Is it dangerous to drive with worn subframe bushes?? I can live with the little "thump" but if I could potentially get injured that's a different story. Please leave me with some insight please. It's either I find a good cheaper shop, sell it, or live with it. __________________ Instagram~~"alexverdii"~~~
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07-19-2018, 05:07 PM	#3
TemjinX2 Major 521 Rep 1,485 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi e92 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Socal OC iTrader: (0)	its expensive since its labor intensive and you live in a high labor rate state. i think if your just putting around in traffic all day, should be ok, but anything high speed, i would probably get it fixed or replaced.
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07-19-2018, 05:30 PM	#4
tlow98 Brigadier General 2179 Rep 4,994 Posts Drives: 2009 E91, 2014 F15 x35i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (2)	YOu have a pic of how bad they are? Likely biggest issue faster than normal wear in the tries and compromised handling in extreme situations
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07-20-2018, 07:30 AM	#5
robthewrench Captain 266 Rep 952 Posts Drives: 11 E90 335i Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Columbus OH iTrader: (0)	You bought a $3K 180K mile BMW and you don't want to spend money on it? I wouldn't think you could buy any $3K car 180K mile car and not have to spend some money on it. Because it's a BMW, that will just be more money. __________________ bone stock
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07-20-2018, 11:01 AM	#6
mattgu40 Private 15 Rep 59 Posts Drives: F15 x5 35i E92 N54 Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Quebec iTrader: (0)	DIY subframe bushing inserts, Relatively easy and cheap process, and i think it would fix the issue by making your subframe bushings solid(allmost).
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07-21-2018, 01:11 PM	#10
TemjinX2 Major 521 Rep 1,485 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi e92 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Socal OC iTrader: (0)	just fyi...solid bushings will make more noise in the rear end then oem.
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07-22-2018, 06:57 AM	#12
Efthreeoh General 17267 Rep 18,717 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	I have/had some really old BMWs with really high miles on them. Never replaced a subfame bushing. Are they really worn? Are there any odd sounds made by the chassis when driving it over bumpy roads or during turns? Drive another X5 and see if that one drives any better than yours. Sounds like your mechanic is trying to make a job out of something that's not necessary. __________________ A manual transmission can be set to "comfort", "sport", and "track" modes simply by the technique and speed at which you shift it; it doesn't need "modes", modes are for manumatics that try to behave like a real 3-pedal manual transmission. If you can money-shift it, it's a manual transmission. "Yeah, but NO ONE puts an automatic trans shift knob on a manual transmission."
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