Well, It looks like some front end work is due. Dealer agrees that the "thrust arm" bushings are completely shredded- I had looked under the car yesterday and found a few bushings in the front end that were looking pretty rough at 220k.

I'm seriosuly considering taking a weekend and doing all the front arms. I need to check the bushings in the upper wishbone, but if I'm there.... maybe I'll just do all 3 arms on both sides. I have broken springs (well, rusty at minimum, along with blown spring perches) too, and don't know when the last time the struts were done. So... Maybe I'll just refresh the entire front end. I'm going to price it out, if it'll cost me less than $800, I'll probably do it sometime soon.

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'10 X5 35d- 279k mi, deleted and DUDMD stage 2, daily and tow vehicle
'01 330i- Drift car: SLR Super angle, BC coils- keep it simple
'07 335i 6mt - Sold @ 171k miles- stage 2 daily commuter for 2 years