[roundel]

The 318ti is getting pretty wobbly up front and a peek up under shows that the bushings and ball joints are toast. I have assembled the following parts list. Anything look like its missing to this list. I want to replace the control arms (soup to nuts) and tie rod ends.


Collision Catalog - 1997 - BMW - 318TI
front suspension, suspension components, control arm Left 1 $168.66 $33.73 $134.93 $0.00 $134.93
Collision Catalog - 1997 - BMW - 318TI
front suspension, suspension components, control arm bracket Left 1 $45.44 $9.09 $36.35 $0.00 $36.35
Collision Catalog - 1997 - BMW - 318TI
front suspension, suspension components, control arm bracket Right 1 $45.44 $9.09 $36.35 $0.00 $36.35
Collision Catalog - 1997 - BMW - 318TI
front suspension, suspension components, control arm Right 1 $168.66 $33.73 $134.93 $0.00 $134.93
Collision Catalog - 1997 - BMW - 318TI
front suspension, suspension components, control arm bushing Left 1 $36.13 $7.23 $28.90 $0.00 $28.90
Collision Catalog - 1997 - BMW - 318TI
front suspension, suspension components, control arm bushing Right 1 $36.13 $7.23 $28.90 $0.00 $28.90
Collision Catalog - 1997 - BMW - 318TI
steering, steering gear, outer tie rod Left 1 $100.32 $20.06 $80.26 $0.00 $80.26
Collision Catalog - 1997 - BMW - 318TI
steering, steering gear, outer tie rod Right 1 $100.32 $20.06 $80.26 $0.00 $80.26
You Save $140.22 Sub Total: $560.88
Shipping Charge: 29.95
Total: $590.83

[cmartin]

I was very happy with the arms that come with ball joints for ~$60, cheaper version is ~$45. Also, the bracket/bushing together are ~$20 ea. After maybe 70k miles everything was still tight.

[roundel]

Originally Posted by cmartin

I was very happy with the arms that come with ball joints for ~$60, cheaper version is ~$45. Also, the bracket/bushing together are ~$20 ea. After maybe 70k miles everything was still tight.

Source?

[cmartin]

Just checked http://www.rockauto.com/, similar prices to above.

I've used bimmerparts, pelican and tischer depending but in this case you get a few more choices and can save substantial $$ with rockauto.

[roundel]

Originally Posted by cmartin

Just checked http://www.rockauto.com/, similar prices to above.

I've used bimmerparts, pelican and tischer depending but in this case you get a few more choices and can save substantial $$ with rockauto.

Holy Crap! Rockauto could get the some pile o parts (although not OEM) for $239 delivered! That is over half off! Thanks for the heads up Chris!!!

[smdubovsky]

If you're doing it all, might be a good time to go to the M3 arms/bushings? (more caster IIRC) Pricier but still prob less than your orig quote. Don't know how different a 318 is to the other cars.

[cmartin]

That is over half off!

Good news. I use them all the time and so far so good. Keep an eye on the shipping, my only gripe. Common discount coupons too.

I just returned a few parts and the process was seamless. You are on the hook for shipping so it's not painless but I got my $$ back quickly.

[roundel]

Originally Posted by smdubovsky

If you're doing it all, might be a good time to go to the M3 arms/bushings? (more caster IIRC) Pricier but still prob less than your orig quote. Don't know how different a 318 is to the other cars.

That may be true, but this is the wife's daily driver. She did not notice or at least complain about how it handles now. New stuff will feel glorious to her. I already have an M3. I don't need to try to build another.

[roundel]

I noticed when I was replacing the control arms that the sway bar end links also looked like the joints were shot so I have them inbound. The control arms and tie-rods were a snap. Just need to fiddle with the alignment. I tried to make the tie-rods the same length as the ones I took off, but measuring the tires front and back I am toe-out by an inch

Rock-Auto is cheap! Thanks for the link.

[cmartin]

Glad its working out for you. Usually you can group items to safe on shipping, but if not it's usually not a bad deal anyway.

tie-rods the same length as the ones I took off, but measuring the tires front and back I am toe-out by an inch

btdt about 10 times, good luck.