@upallnight: in this case I would get the rear one if it will be only 40 bucks :wow: - so it will match perfectly

What about the doorboards of the donor, where they black or grey?

Yeah I would agree that at $40 its a no brainer. At least the seats would look consistent.

As much as it pains me to admit this, a trip to the dealer is forthcoming. Been chasing a front end noise and haven't been able to diagnose it. Hasn't helped that I've been travelling for the last month or so and wrenching time is tight. Slow speed L+R turns, like a 5mph figure 8 and it clunks like crazy.

I'm learning toward the steering shaft u-joint. Any bets on what that replacement is going to run? I told my wife it's probably a $1500 dealer fix (the part is $320ish online), figure $500 with dealer markup and 6hrs labor, plus an alignment. I have an 01, and the double joint is NLA, so I have to use the upper shaft and the joint from an 02+. Apparently the one I have is a square fitting for the ujoint to shaft, the newer version is a hex. Dealer is probably going to tell me the entire rack is bad, lol.

To recap, all front suspension bits are new (Lemforder), including the outer tierod ends/boots. CV axles have maybe 500miles on them. Everything was torqued to spec with the suspension preloaded. Dealer did a 4whl alignment and it was perfect for a few months. Someone mentioned strut bearings... struts are original but don't seem to have any play when I grab them and try and push/pull as hard as humanly possible with wheel removed; not sure how else to check the bush/bearing without disassembly.

Daughter turns 16 in October, and she'll learn to drive on this like one, like her brother did a couple of years ago. I don't want to spook her with any funny noises.

Wish me luck...

Steering joint noise is common on other BMW models of the era.
Re-torquing u-joint clamp bolts often cures it.

Thanks; tried that, top and bottom. Also squirted it with some Tri-flow/Teflon lube.

I'll check again though.

Loose sway bar bushings or links will make lots of noise when turning.

Links are new and tight. Bushings are original though @155k, I'll have a look at those, they're cheap enough to replace.

You should be able to feel steering wheel noise in your hands.

The steering doesn't feel "rough", or what I'd call notchy. I'll see if I can isolate the noise and determine if its occurring when steering lock to lock in parked/static mode or only when moving.