dealer says it MIGHT be the control arms

[bfournier]

I noticed a sound coming from the front driver side (2003 4.4i with 45,100 miles, air suspension all around) when I turned left and accelerated moderately from either a stop or very slow speed. Also notice a sound occaisionally when agressively accelerating straight line. It sould like a grinding or a rubbing and you can feel it in the floor. Took it to my local BMW dealer and they said there was "slight play in the lower control arm. Not enough where it wouldnt pass an inspection, but thats all they could find." My question is there is obvously something not right with the vehicle but they are supposed to be the specialist and why would they recommend I just keep driving it? They did give my a quote of $1035 to replace both sides lower control arms and alignmnet but couldnt guarantee that would fix it. My access to BMW dealers is limited in southern Maine. I dont want to replace control arms unless it could possible be the issue but they didnt sound very confident. Any other recommendations? The technician did say X5 have front end issues commonly and it being a 2003 even with the low miles, it is possible that it could be the issue. I replacing the control something a moderately handy person could do?