'02 330CI Control Arm problem

[GaryD]

I'm a little disappointed that the front drivers side control arm on my 330CI is going bad at 50k miles. I'm told it's not under warranty and the new part from BMW has a $750 price tag before labor! I'm considering buying an OEM part, but completed confused by what I need besides the control arm itself. I see bushings, bushing kits...in some cases I'm told it's recommended to change the front control arms in pairs??? Plus, the replacement control arm doesn't look anything link the stock arm. A design change???? Any help would be appreciated....

 

[topless2001]

Hi GaryD,
I think my '01 330ci convertible has the same problem. While driving 80 mph or faster it vibrate when steering to the left. I took both front tires off to check and found the right (passenger side) control arm kinda loose at the inner ball joint. I'm not sure it just the loose nut/bold to the frame or the ball joint is bad but to replace the hold control arm (DIY) only cost $174.60 + tax +shipping. I didn't have time last night to check the loosing parts but will check it out tonight to see if it just need to be tighting. Any suggestion from experts would be appreciated.

 

[Kirby]

$750 for a control arm!?!?! I sure hope that includes all other parts AND gold plating!

You can get RACING control arms for 1/3 of that price.
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/subcategory_detail.asp?subcat_id=91

Here's everything you need at this link (realoem.com) - CLICK HERE

I ran this for a 6/02 production date. You should re-enter your date to verify.

The table below shows up better on their site:

No.DescriptionSupplement Qty From Up To Part Number PriceNotes 01FRONT AXLE SUPPORT
111/1999
31111096902$518.94

ONLY IN CONJUNCTION WITH ITEM 3

02COLLAR SCREWM12X1,5X100411/1999
31111094304
ENDED 02TORX SCREW WITH COLLARM12X1,5X100411/1999
31106766218$3.35
03REINFORCEMENT PLATE
102/2001
51717028433$156.24
04HEX BOLT WITH WASHERM10X35-10.9411/1999
31101095140$0.84

FOR VEHICLES WITH
M SPORTS PACKAGE II
S338A=YES
05WISHBONE, LEFT
111/2000
31122282121$222.08
05RIGHT WISHBONE
111/2000
31122282122$222.08

FOR VEHICLES WITH
M SPORTS PACKAGE II = NO
S338A=NO
05WISHBONE, LEFT
111/1999
31126758519$222.08
05WISHBONE, LEFT
111/1999
31126770247$222.08
05RIGHT WISHBONE
111/1999
31126758520$222.08
05RIGHT WISHBONE
111/1999
31126770248$222.08
06SET OF BRACKETS WITH RUBBER MOUNTINGD=66MM102/2001
31126757623$130.57
07SELF-LOCKING HEX NUTM14X1,5211/1999
31121095420$0.69
08SELF-LOCKING HEX NUTM12X1,5211/1999
32211095267$0.36
09STOP BUFFER
106/2000
22116753910$13.39
10HEXAGON SCREW WITH FLANGEM10X30X1,5811/1999
51717892988$1.40

 

[dm_longhorn]

I paid around $230 or so at the dealer a few months back.

 

[topless2001]

All,
Is it true that better replace both control arms at same time even only one side is needed and also do an alignment afterward ? Any advise is appreciated.

 

[Kirby]

The primary reason to do both is that if it failed from age, the other will fail soon too, so it is usually cheaper to do both at once. But there is no safety issue that dictates doing both.

Alignment should always be done, so at a minimum you save one of those costs.

If it failed do to damage, it's fine to replace just one.

 

[topless2001]

Thanks Kirby. It's age issue. They're original. I've order them both with the upgrade version of metal ball joints. $150/each x 2 = $300 plus bushing kits $110.