Is this the end? 180k miles, £3k+ bill for suspension and universal joint?

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firefoxchris

Member
I've had my Z4 3.0si Coupe for over 12 years, I love it. I spend roughly £1000 a year on it (including tyres and suspension bits, mot, service etc). I am by no means a car expert at all, nor a mechanic, but I do love my Z4.

I fear that after 180,000 miles, it could be the end for my Z4 as im facing a potential £3000+ bill to get it fixed and I'm wondering what I should do.

I noticed that there seems to be a substantial issue with the suspension recently, scraping speed bumps etc and it also looks like its slightly leaning on the passenger side. I sent it into my local independent BMW specialist garage (where it has been annually).

The short version is, it needs new shocks, probably front and rear but the real kicker is the "universal joint" from the steering. I have noticed some rubbing noise from it when reversing and turning out of parking spaces when cold, but also the steering does seem ever so slightly more shakey than it used to be but I thought that might have been the suspension.

They did a video showing the issues and I'd like some opinions from the world of experience on here :D

Video link on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DQ2dVKHK7ys

Total £3,025.57 inc VAT.

- Front shocks £768.98
- Top mounts on top of shock price £209.50
- Rear shocks £588.74
- Top mounts on top of shock price £121.13
- Steering universal joint £1232.23
- 4 wheel alignment £104.99


Being realistic, The rear pads may need doing too, theres bound to be a few more bits so im going to guess its going to be closer to £3500 total.

Before this, I wanted to get the wheels refurbed and paint on bonnet and bumper resprayed to freshen it up. I'm going to guess that at say £500 or more.

So to get my Z4 back to how I want it, im looking at over £4,000. It's not worth that amount with the mileage but I'm not going to sell it anyway so its about what its worth to me - but I do need to be realistic, everything comes to an end?? :cry:

My questions for the community..

1. Is this work expected and reasonable?
2. Are there alternatives? Should I take it to a different garage? I generally trust these guys but 3 grand is a lot.
3. Should I take it to a dealer and part-x for some money off a M40i? :lol:
4. Am I pushing my luck at 180k and expecting more without these kind of bills?
5. What would you do? :D

Thanks!!

Chris
 
I am sure an expert will be along shortly but that seems a hell of a lot of money for fairly basic routine work. Shock absorbers are no big deal and I wouldnt have thought that a universal joint was going to be that expensive. Its hardly an engine strip down . Another quote I think is the way forward.
 
Mike6 said:
I am sure an expert will be along shortly but that seems a hell of a lot of money for fairly basic routine work. Shock absorbers are no big deal and I wouldnt have thought that a universal joint was going to be that expensive. Its hardly an engine strip down . Another quote I think is the way forward.
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Whilst shock absorbers are no big deal I did end up paying a similar amount to OP for replacing my rear shocks, covers, bump stops etc. with Sachs ones.

OP - if theres no way you can change the shocks yourself I’d advise ordering the parts in yourself and just paying for the labour if your garage allows. I do advise going for a punt on attempting it yourself if you can! Plenty of tutorials on YouTube :thumbsup:
 
Thanks for the quick replies guys, what's the deal with this "- Steering universal joint £1232.23"

I know nothing really about mechanicals so I'm shocked this costs so much to buy and fit.

@enuff_zed - Is this something you've seen a lot of?
 
In the long run, repairing an older car is way more cost-effective than buying a new one... not that you were suggesting you might buy a new one, but you did suggest you won't sell it. If you're strapped for cash, then that's another story, but I'd say get a few quotes and pick the quote from the place that seems most trustworthy. A few bucks difference in prices will long be forgotten when you go to a trusted mechanic.

I say get it fixed, but research it a bit first.
 
As I said, the shocks, top mounts and bump stops, plus new arb bushes and drop links should be about £450 for parts from autodoc. The steering must be the intermediate shaft UJ. New they are pricey but not that much, fairly straightforward to change. Discs and pads about 200 all round for brembo.
The major cost is their labour. If it means keeping one on the road then let’s see what we can do.

I'd be looking at Sachs shocks, Lemforder top mounts, Febi Bilstein bump stops, Lemforder drop links and Febi Bilstein ARB bushes. Tbh, they didn't mention drop links or bushes, so I'd check and only change if necessary.
These are the makes I always use as they are the OEM supplier in most cases.
I tend to use Brembo discs and pads as they are a good make for a like for like swap.
I would also fit new front knuckle bolts for the front shocks at around £12 the pair.
If it were my own car I would be budgeting around £800 max to do the lot. Accepting that it is a couple of days work without a fancy garage to work in.
I would need to look into the cost of a replacement intermediate steering shaft tbh.

Less than a mile from me is an ex-Lotus engineer with full Hunter alignment gear. The only problem with him is his need for perfection, so you may have to budget for new front tie rods if the originals are seized.

The biggest risk you take is a complete lack of official warranty, other than my word and my (hopefully) good standing on the forum.

I have no idea where you are, or whether you'd be comfortable leaving your car with me, but as i've recently decided to retire early I have plenty of time to sort this if you'd like me to help.
 
As for the steering joint:
Albeit from Lithuania, but................
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265412783536?hash=item3dcbd5adb0:g:rysAAOSw8Wthl4Ri&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4PJlaQ9Y%2BSBRRs0luoqe5%2B28WoNtQ6JT9fXxmMEAms5WdzBHFci%2FnQEB2FPnseERgenkRdgPO0of1cAPsaMk8hbouKYRRLOJmkgDuwkiU9LGR2si8swHGrNTheXmvMuS9bMiO%2BZOsIhOCAOe5xbmlK5%2BVEU7GbhycASFbQM2dGvzc2dv7SwocytMri56L1P5%2FQzzbLnN9v9Sd74LdzAlhjEXpl11K2FtctENVixkfRLeVNQ%2FKIyhN39KduM%2FYff8h1SoFDewcXl15FzBGaOJ8bWffdTHSz8cm2pP9jU3rElN%7Ctkp%3ABFBM4p278_Bi

And if it were me I'd do all the suspension stuff, get it aligned then drive it and see if the issue is still there first.
 
MikeyH said:
Oh my god, enuff, why don't you live near ME :thumbsup: It would pay the OP to travel and get B&B somewhere :thumbsup:
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Dont rush me! I'm a retired guy now. But if he can leave it with me for a few days it would be great to save another one.
 
enuff_zed said:
MikeyH said:
Oh my god, enuff, why don't you live near ME :thumbsup: It would pay the OP to travel and get B&B somewhere :thumbsup:
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Dont rush me! I'm a retired guy now. But if he can leave it with me for a few days it would be great to save another one.
Click to expand...

And you do b&b as well, right? 8)
 
enuff_zed said:
other than my word and my (hopefully) good standing on the forum.
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Now THAT could be a problem! I will vouch for you, mate. (I will PM you bank details; again). :D
 
Chris, it looks like you have some good options to cut the costs you've been quoted. I hope you get it fixed - E86s need to be preserved!
 
firefoxchris said:
- Front shocks £768.98
- Top mounts on top of shock price £209.50
- Rear shocks £588.74
- Top mounts on top of shock price £121.13
Click to expand...

This is bollox. Doing the shocks is exactly the same job as doing the top mounts. If you've got the strut apart to change one of them, the only extra time in changing the other is ordering the part and opening the box.

And, FWIW, a front top mount is just under £20. A rear will get you change from a tenner. It's one thing to mark parts prices up, it's something else to go double bubble on the work.

No wonder I have to go and find a stool to sit on so I can fall off it when people regale me with their garage bills.
 
smorris_12 said:
firefoxchris said:
- Front shocks £768.98
- Top mounts on top of shock price £209.50
- Rear shocks £588.74
- Top mounts on top of shock price £121.13
Click to expand...

This is bollox. Doing the shocks is exactly the same job as doing the top mounts. If you've got the strut apart to change one of them, the only extra time in changing the other is ordering the part and opening the box.

And, FWIW, a front top mount is just under £20. A rear will get you change from a tenner. It's one thing to mark parts prices up, it's something else to go double bubble on the work.

No wonder I have to go and find a stool to sit on so I can fall off it when people regale me with their garage bills.
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Out of interest, I have just priced up for the OP using Autodoc (Sachs, Bilstein, Lemforder parts) and genuine BMW front knuckle bolts.
As the springs looked original and quite rusty I've added the cost of Suplex replacements too.
Including drop links and ARB bushes just in case, as I'd be in there anyway.
So that is a conplete front and rear suspension refresh. Total for all parts is £750. Less than a quote for two front shocks.
I fully understand that not everyone is able or inclined to do their own work, but it is a scary amount extra.

As stated though, at least a garage should give you some kind of warranty.
 
firefoxchris said:
Thanks for the quick replies guys, what's the deal with this "- Steering universal joint £1232.23"

I know nothing really about mechanicals so I'm shocked this costs so much to buy and fit.

@enuff_zed - Is this something you've seen a lot of?
Click to expand...
I have a secondhand one in my garage, it is called a steering intermediate shaft, done 64000miles from 2003. You can have it for free!
 
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