Front wishbone replacement and bushes - guide price / advice

[hype]

I need both front wishbone rear bushes replacing - along with the off-side wishbone itself (loose ball joint).

I've been quoted a (fairly substantial) price by my local indy - not even tried the dealer as I've more faith in the indy anyway - but I have no experience of this kind of work so no idea what to expect really. Anyone had the same work carried out? Or have any advice about parts - I presuming OEM is the only way forward but will listen to any advice.

 

[tdansmith]

Have a look on Euro Car Parts (with their usual 25% 'discount').

From memory, I paid about £65 for the pair of bushes (Lemforder, which I believe is OEM), and about £105 a piece for the arms (again, Lemforder)

618110295 is the ECP part number for the bushes
616110355 and 616110365 for the LH and RH wishbones respectively.

If you're replacing both, it's a fairly easy DIY - I'm happy to provide more info on this. My Indy would only supply and fit, which would have made it quite a bit more expensive than DIY.

If you don't fancy DIY, I would ask for a quote from your local garage (non-Indy). It's a few nuts and bolts, so no need to pay inflated dealer / Indy prices for such a simple job.

 

[tdansmith]

Oh, and I'd probably replace both sides (LH and RH) so that both are evenly worn.

You won't pay any extra for the labour to remove wishbone and bush, so it's just the cost of the extra wishbone. A small price to pay to get everything nice and tight.

And get the alignment checked after it's all done. Mine was quite a bit out.

 

[hype]

Thanks for great - really helpful.

This may be a stupid question, but is it the same wishbones regardless of standard or M-suspension? I only ask as a few parts I've seen on ebay stipulate non-M only (mine does have M-suspension).

No way I can fit myself - although thanks for the offer of guidance - but I like the idea of a local chap doing it for me. FYI I was quoted somewhere in the region of £600-700 for replacement of right wishbone, both bushes and a realignment - seems a lot now considering what you've told me.

 

[bradmarsh1989]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300341465990?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

this?

 

[slick]

Thanks for great - really helpful.

This may be a stupid question, but is it the same wishbones regardless of standard or M-suspension? I only ask as a few parts I've seen on ebay stipulate non-M only (mine does have M-suspension).

No way I can fit myself - although thanks for the offer of guidance - but I like the idea of a local chap doing it for me. FYI I was quoted somewhere in the region of £600-700 for replacement of right wishbone, both bushes and a realignment - seems a lot now considering what you've told me.

An hour a side plus the alignment

 

[Bradders75]

FYI I was quoted somewhere in the region of £600-700 for replacement of right wishbone, both bushes and a realignment - seems a lot now considering what you've told me.

There are Meyle HD wishbone and bush kits (good make, 4 year warranty) available for ~£200. Factor in a full Hunter alignment for £100 and a maximum of 2 hours labour for fitting the parts (<£100 at an indy) should give you a target of under £400 all in I reckon.

 

[Jembo]

Thanks for great - really helpful.

This may be a stupid question, but is it the same wishbones regardless of standard or M-suspension? I only ask as a few parts I've seen on ebay stipulate non-M only (mine does have M-suspension).

No way I can fit myself - although thanks for the offer of guidance - but I like the idea of a local chap doing it for me. FYI I was quoted somewhere in the region of £600-700 for replacement of right wishbone, both bushes and a realignment - seems a lot now considering what you've told me.

You'll find it's M Sport suspension, not the same as the //M suspension.

£6/700 is a joke - lollypop bushes should be around £30. Some people hate Powerflex, some like me like them http://www.powerflex.co.uk/road-series/products/Z4+(E85)-1203/1.html

If you are near Dartford, my Indy will charge you around £120 for fitting (remember to add tracking to this)... worth getting your CDV done as well while up on the ramp.

Also, check front & rear drop links, tie rod ends for steering & NRF tyres. All of these will have a significant improvement of drivability.

PM me if u need

 

[cj10jeeper]

Go for Meyle HD wishbones and lollipops. do the arb bushes and drop links at same time.
£100 at my local garage to fit then Hunter alignment.

 

[hype]

You'll find it's M Sport suspension, not the same as the //M suspension.

Thanks all - fantastically useful.

And I know M-sport and true //M suspension aren't the same thing - but can I just confirm that all the kits you're talking about will fit my 3.0si?

 

[cj10jeeper]

You can even use E46 parts as they are often listed cheaper than Z4.

Only part to be careful of is the arb bushes where there are 2 diameters.

 

[hype]

So this would be ideal by the looks of it?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E46-3-SERIES-CONTROL-ARMS-WISHBONE-BUSH-MEYLE-HD-/160650581235?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Plat_Gen%3AE46&hash=item25678554f3

 

[cj10jeeper]

Funny enough that's actually the vendor I purchased from. Just call or check part numbers to be sure.

 

[Bradders75]

So this would be ideal by the looks of it?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E46-3-SERIES-CONTROL-ARMS-WISHBONE-BUSH-MEYLE-HD-/160650581235?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Plat_Gen%3AE46&hash=item25678554f3

Careful mate, I don't think that kit is suitable for cars with M-Sport suspension.

 

[hype]

So this would be ideal by the looks of it?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E46-3-SERIES-CONTROL-ARMS-WISHBONE-BUSH-MEYLE-HD-/160650581235?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Plat_Gen%3AE46&hash=item25678554f3

Careful mate, I don't think that kit is suitable for cars with M-Sport suspension.

Arghh! Not bought anything yet, but this is what I'm concerned about. Bit confused as to the different suspension options...

 

[cj10jeeper]

So this would be ideal by the looks of it?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E46-3-SERIES-CONTROL-ARMS-WISHBONE-BUSH-MEYLE-HD-/160650581235?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Plat_Gen%3AE46&hash=item25678554f3

Careful mate, I don't think that kit is suitable for cars with M-Sport suspension.

Arghh! Not bought anything yet, but this is what I'm concerned about. Bit confused as to the different suspension options...

That's why I said call or email to check parts numbers. Never rely purely on the forum. Do a little legwork and save yourself a fortune whilst getting the correct parts.

Taken from my invoice here are the parts on my Z4 with ///M suspension:
BMW E46 316 318 M SPORT TECH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM WISHBONE BUSH MEYLE HD ( 150821607119 )

 

[cj10jeeper]

and here's a link:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150821607119&ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:GB:3160

 

[hype]

and here's a link:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150821607119&ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:GB:3160

Great. I've already spoken to a local chap who will happily supply and fit, or just fit if I supply. Depending on the price he gives me tomorrow I may investigate those Meyle ones. Thanks cj10jeeper

 

[cj10jeeper]

My advise is to buy and have him fit. Chances are he will use some cheaper pattern part for his local supplier and just markup the price.

 

[hype]

Just booked it in, and I've let him supply and fit - he's using the Lemforder arms and bushes from europarts, and he's charging me the same as I can get them for so I'm happy.

He's also quoted 1 hour each-side (@ £50 an hour), and £50 for full alignment afterwards.

Thanks everyone on the forum - think you've saved me several hundred quid!