vbcguy

A local authorized BMW dealer started a "discount" used dealership and repair shop. Smart idea for today's economic times.
Basically they don't offer cappuccinos or loaner vehicles and keep the costs down.

After an oil change they did the usual inspection and noted that my front tie rods were in need of replacement. They quoted me $508 including wheel alignment.

I can't seem to find information online about the costs for such a repair. Is this a good deal?

P.S.
When it comes to cars...i'm not a do-it-yourself'er

ssmokn

You don't say what year and version e60 you are driving so I used mine as an example ('10 535i xDrive). I went to realoem.com to look up the parts.

It looks like the e60 has two tie rods (some other cars have four -- depends on the type of steering).

The list price is approximately $144 per tie rod (or $288 for the two) for OEM tierods. That leaves $264 for labor. Assuming $90 per hour for labor (adjust as necessary) that works out to 2.93 hrs. The alignment is about an hour labor so that is an hour each side to replace the tierods.

I haven't done an e60 tie rod (yet) but that seems reasonable to me. Best bet is to get a price or two from a couple of indy shops in your area for comparison.

From realoem.com....

04 Tie rod 2 32216777451 $143.51

inktoxicated

fc groton has tie rods for 52 bux each. ive used them before with purchases (radiator) not to hyjack ur thread but i noticed lately my cars been pulling to the right and i have a intermitent knock/pop noise over some bumps. is this a sign of worn tie rods?

phlfly

I think it's a good price, only alignment is running like 200 bucks for BMW, and 250 for variable steering. So part and labor left 300 bucks. I think it's good price.

BMW535xia

am interested in knowing this as well as quoted from above >>> "and i have a intermitent knock/pop noise over some bumps. is this a sign of worn tie rods?"

ssmokn

I would bet that is more likely a ball joint than a tie rod end. It's pretty easy to determine. Get the front end up in the air and use a crow bar to move things around. There should be no noticeable play in any of the components.

If you don't know how to do this call a good front end shop and tell them what you are experiencing. Ask them if you can bring the car in for an inspection prior to making an appointment so they know what to order ahead of time and so they can give you an accurate estimate on parts and labor.

You will need a front end alignment after any front end part replacement anyway...

jsimon7777

Looks like a good price to me if it's OEM parts. Even with quality non-OEM, it's a good price. FC Groton does not get a lot of respect.

BMW535xia

okay, and thanks...after giving it some thought i suspect a ball joint definitively on the driver side. i'll have it checked...

e60oholic

I would buy the whole front end kit (aftermarket) for 500 bucks I've seen it online. Then find an INDY or do it myself and save a bunch. Then have firestone do the alignment for 80 bucks ( if you don't have active steering)

http://www.fcpeuro.c...0front8piecekit

AchtungE60

Start shopping around for someone to do an alignment on your car. Best to use a hunter KDS laser machine. Buy some tie rod outers and you can have the whole thing done for less than $300 im sure. I replaced my tierod outers in my driveway and took about 45 min. I marked the old ones then but the new ones and matched it all up. Was pretty good but not quite so i took to get an aligment anyway.

The ones I replaced were from AutoLampsPlus I think not quite sure that was years ago