Should I believe dealer that says replace rear upper control arms?

mlt · #1 01-02-2013, 12:19 AM

Hi, I am new to this forum, so please forgive any potential transgressions. I have a '04 3.0i with about 66K miles on it. I just took it to the dealer for a brake fluid flush and while there, they recommended replacing the rear upper control arms followed by an alignment for around $1500.

I am having a hard time believing that the control arms really need to be replaced. This is my first BMW, but even my cars from Detroit were not wearing out suspension parts in 66K miles. I jacked up the rear end and tried to do the push/pull test on the wheel, but I did not feel any play. There is some minimal tread wear on the inside of the tires, but I have assumed this is due to the negative camber on the rear end and was probably normal. Otherwise it runs and drives fine with no clunks or noises from the rear end.

I welcome any comments or suggestions about other ways to confirm the upper control arms are actually worn and need replacement. Thanks in advance.

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TerminatorX5 · #2 01-02-2013, 01:12 AM

well, you are not thinking about the dealer - he needs some money in the cash register... lol... there is not need to that repair, at least, not at that price... when you are driving, do you feel any instability (you said already that you do not), any vibrations, anything that is out of "normal"? all BMWs, Mercedes Porsche have negative camber on the rear, and the geometry is factory spec'd to handle that... check the tire wear, to see if anything is abnormal, like cupping, feathering, or whatever... besides, if you REALLY need the work done, an independent mechanic can do the same job for about the half price, and if you are mechanically inclined, you can do it for the quarter the price...

welcome to the forum - post the pics of your ride, let us enjoy the view...

upallnight · #3 01-02-2013, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlt

Hi, I am new to this forum, so please forgive any potential transgressions. I have a '04 3.0i with about 66K miles on it. I just took it to the dealer for a brake fluid flush and while there, they recommended replacing the rear upper control arms followed by an alignment for around $1500.

I am having a hard time believing that the control arms really need to be replaced. This is my first BMW, but even my cars from Detroit were not wearing out suspension parts in 66K miles. I jacked up the rear end and tried to do the push/pull test on the wheel, but I did not feel any play. There is some minimal tread wear on the inside of the tires, but I have assumed this is due to the negative camber on the rear end and was probably normal. Otherwise it runs and drives fine with no clunks or noises from the rear end.

I welcome any comments or suggestions about other ways to confirm the upper control arms are actually worn and need replacement. Thanks in advance.

Are you a female BMW owner? Stealers love to take advantage of female BMW owners.

jgold47 · #4 01-02-2013, 09:43 AM

I took mine in recently as well. a dealer nearby that I've made very clear I wont have work done at. I took it in to have a DME flash done. the SA came back and told me that the tech said I need a left rear upper control arm. Just one. Given my history with this guy, I dont think he would have told me that just to annoy me. I suspect it needs it.

BMW's start needing suspension work around 100K.

BMW's have two mechanical lives. (well 3 really)

0-50K - covered by warranty
50-100K - Suspension, Cooling system, wear items - start to go
100K+ - everything needs touching, then it lives for another 100K miles

the problem is that most of us buy them when they are approaching the 100K mark, then need $1500 suspension refreshes, $750 cooling system updates, $500 tune ups including CCV and vanos, etc...and then bitch about how expensive the car is to own. However, once you do those things, the car will last forever

X5SND · #5 01-02-2013, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upallnight

Are you a female BMW owner? Stealers love to take advantage of female BMW owners.

Dealers love to take advantage of anyone who lets them.

Upper control arms aren't terribly hard to swap by yourself. I'd assume that since you said you already jacked it up and checked for play that you are somewhat mechanically inclined. Like T stated earlier, if you do it yourself, the job can be done for about 1/4 the quoted dealer price.

electricalserv x5 · #6 01-02-2013, 06:59 PM

Hi E53 brothers,first off there is a great video on you tube on how to diagnose the problem[Vac motorsport-correcting tire wear on a BMW X5 E53] if they don,nt test it like VAC then get some one else to do it at a good INDY , make sure they know BMWs or wait unitl You find some a good shop.
The part is a called a wish bone[which it looks like] and cost from BMW $345 each or You can get the ball joints on there own and the bushing , it not a bad idea to change them, but at $1500 is too high, $900 to $1000 is a good price.

pink_roundel · #7 01-02-2013, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upallnight

Are you a female BMW owner? Stealers love to take advantage of female BMW owners.

Not necessarily. They can take advantage of guys too. It's not what you are it's what you don't know. And declining repairs and walking away to an Indy is something people don't know about. I'm female and they usually don't take advantage of me. I generally know what I'm talking about...
when it comes to nail polish.

And 66k is a little too soon for upper arm bushings, but it also depends on how the vehicle was driven and stored especially since its been eight years.

mlt · #8 01-02-2013, 09:10 PM

Thanks to all of you for your replies (and no, I am not female). Thank you very much for the pointer to the VAC Motorsports You Tube video - "Correcting tire wear on BMW X5 E53". It gives a very good explanation of how to unload the force on suspension so that play can be detected. I just need to find an local independent shop to perform the test, hopefully with me being present.

I probably won't tackle the repair myself. Years ago I replaced all of the bushings on the front suspension on a TR6. I think I even made my own spring compressors.

Also thank you for the comments about the 3 mechanical lives of a BMW. That actually describes most of the cars I have owned. I bought the X5 as a long term investment and I mind fixing things when it needs it. I probably forgot to mention that the same technician recommended replacing the starter because in his words, "it wouldn't start". I have never had that problem. Maybe he forgot to push in the clutch.

TerminatorX5 · #9 01-02-2013, 11:05 PM

hey, it is a manual 3.0!!! I've heard, itr is a rare beast...

I am sure he totally forgot to press the clutch... lol...

zonefive · #10 01-03-2013, 11:52 AM

You can buy Bilstein replacement parts for about 70 bucks a side and have a suspension shop put them in and re-align. This is a very common issue. Total cost about 300 bucks. A lot less than $1,500!!!!

FIND A GOOD INDY. Do not go to the dealer for anything!!

Here's an Ebay example you can buy BMW E53 x5 3 0 4 4 4 6 4 8 Left Rear Upper Control Arm Subframe to Wheel Carrier | eBay

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