What's that noise? (Link to Video)
 

Long time reader, first time poster.

We have a 2008 E70 3.0 with just under 100K on odometer that we bought used as a dealer trade-in.

There is a creaking/squeaking noise coming from the front passenger side that I'm going to need to deal with.

BMW dealer told me that the shocks are really worn and they recommend basically replacing the entire suspension: front and rear struts as well as obligatory alignment. Cost was around $3k.

Can any of you guys check the linked video and let me know what you think?

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7M...ew?usp=sharing

Sounds like rubber bushing or ball joint, not shocks. You can go under the car and spray the bushings one by one with WD40 and see when/if the sound will go away. My bet is on the sway bar connecting rod or the lower control arm bushing or BJ.
Many guys here will tell you that it is not advisable to visit official dealer with this car. Just a waste of time and money, with a very rare exceptions. As most of us have figured out the dealers are not in the business of fixing cars, they are in the business of making money ;)

its hard to tell from the video, but is the noise cyclical and related to wheel rotation, o ris it bumps/pavement irregularity related.
i can tell you its 100% NOT the shocks.
and yes stay away from the dealers.with the amount of noise with such little movement my bet is that it will be very obvious once you get under.

@Jyohay
It isn't cyclical, just when I go over bumps. And it seems to be coming from the front passenger side only.

sounds like a bushing is gone..... id just remove the wheel and im betting youll see something visually wrong.

Mine has been doing the same thing for the past 4-5 mo's but mostly on drivers side and at low speeds in parking lots/driveways etc. replaced my sway bar end links, thrust arm rods and about to do sway bar bushings this weekend. However, mine isn't as loud/pronounced as your vid.

I will try spraying some lube on rest of the bushings and I have no visible damage to my cv boot. I'm also starting to get a crunching sound when chocking my wheel to the left all the way then turning it back right a bit...sounds like something in the steering rack or lower assembly IDK...still looking...about to just get my indie to look at it, just getting annoying I don't have the time anymore.

I have 08 4.8 w/72K now.

Check your lower rear control arms or bottom wishbone it's a 21mm nut/bolt, mine was loose on the drivers side and there was about 1mm of play total between the bushings in the carrier/mount point on the subframe. There were tiny bits of metal shavings from the rubbing so that sound is metal on metal. Tightened mine up and so far no noise.

My passenger side ball joint on the lower rear arm was ripped but still in OK shape, I didn't have any noises from that side but I will be replacing both those lower rear control arms soon just because....

Since you have 100K miles maybe your bushings are just so worn out you're grinding but either way check there first. It only takes a few mins once the fronts on jack stands...you don't even need to take off your wheels but will need to remove a small plastic dust cover/lining around the carrier to tighten the bolts.

UPDATE:
 

My independent mechanic injected grease at the right front lower control arm outer joint and the noise went away.
Replaced the right front lower control arm to fix permanently.

Cost: $330/parts (not OE), 200 labor
Washington, DC Area.

I was just gonna say that. I replaced both of mine @ 107k my noise was not nearly that violent. Avoiding potholes in the DC area is damn near impossible and can tear up the suspension on a BMW.

Smart you posted here ... pretty sad the dealership service departments have a reputation of being after people's money. The dealership service departments seek to fix everything around a problem so the replace.all the parts which then fixes the actual problem and also does remove.other issues which may come later Of course the bill triples in the process. Typically a problem is caused by one thing when you get a proposed.fix.saying.you should replace.many more things at.a much greater cost you should get.a.second opinion.