XSeries-forum

Just picked up my car from BMW, who carried out a free health check while the car was in.

They advised me that I need the 3 ball joints on my near-side rear replacing due to excessive play. The car passed it's MOT just 2000 miles ago so I doubt it'll need doing right away. However, BMW have quoted me £1500 for the work! Even if I got the work done at an independent garage and they charge me half of BMWs quote, that's still £750.

Has anybody else had these replaced?  Surely it can't cost that much, even if the arms are replaced...

Get someone else to have a look.  They may be fine.

First follow X5Sports advice and get someone else to look at it. Second I was always taught if you do any suspension work you do both sides at the same time so not good engineering practice, was their price for 1 side?

I rebuilt the rear suspension myself BMW say you cant change the inner bushes on the rear swing arms and want to change the whole arm (about £400 each side). You can buy the inner bushes separately (Lemforder) so I brought 2 sets of inner bushes 2 Rose bushes and upper links lower links. I made up my own bush removal tool (some old pipe and my trusty welder) Then with the help of good old you tube rebuilt both sides.
Like you mine had passed its MOT with no advisories but inner wear was just starting to show on the rear tyres.
It took me a day to rebuild both sides with plenty of breaks for a cost of about £200. The transformation has to be felt we tow a horse box and my wife always thought the ride was harsh in the 4.6 I put it down to the 20" wheels. After rebuilding the suspension it is much more compliant and quieter so I did the front as well.
Remember you will need a competent garage with 4 wheel alignment equipment.