Cost / Advice for M3 front control arms

bmwarg · 05-14-2017, 01:11 AM

Stopped by the shop because of noise coming from right front wheel when turning left under acceleration. Mechanic noticed that one of the lower control arms had a crack. Hence, I need to replace the two front lower control arms.

Was quoted 3 hours labor ($490), 4x OEM front control arms ($460) and alignment worth 1 hour labor ($140).

I'm thinking it might be best to order the upper and lower M3 front control arms as they are more durable and better performance. What should be the labor cost for the installation?

Also, what else should I add now and associated part / labor cost? e.g., tie rods (thinking Meyele HD, more labor cost?)? M3 E93 sway bar (i hear this increases harshness and understeer but only at very limit)? rear bushings (this feels like much more labor)?

6ixSpd · 05-14-2017, 02:11 AM

The labour to change all four will be the same as the labour you were just quoted.

Jklad · 05-14-2017, 08:42 AM

3 hours labor is fair, I just question the high hourly rate your being charged.

Also, I just picked up a set of m3 front control arms as a kit from fcp for $315.

feuer · 05-14-2017, 11:44 AM

For $490 in labor I would expect alignment to be included.

LMB335IS · 05-14-2017, 02:41 PM

Wow! I can do that install on my back in less than a hr as long as no bolts/nuts need to be cut. A M3 swaybar is a 15/20 minute install as well. Crazy what labor is these days and I'm a old fuck.

Go Horns! · 05-14-2017, 05:33 PM

I just had the install of M3 arms done when I had shocks and springs done. Was charged an extra half hour of labor. Labor rate was $120/hr in Fort Worth, Texas.

BSM n54iS · 05-15-2017, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Go Horns!

I just had the install of M3 arms done when I had shocks and springs done. Was charged an extra half hour of labor. Labor rate was $120/hr in Fort Worth, Texas.

What's your spring/shock combo again Horns?

BB_cuda · 05-15-2017, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMB335IS

Wow! I can do that install on my back in less than a hr as long as no bolts/nuts need to be cut. A M3 swaybar is a 15/20 minute install as well. Crazy what labor is these days and I'm a old fuck.

Would you mind elaborating on the "no bolts/nuts need to be cut" comment please? I had read one of the older M3 suspension conversion threads and saw where the Ground Control guys were grinding something down. I never understood what was being shown then. I'm now starting to connect the dots with that picture cross compiled with your statement. I'll dig up that photo and paste into here.
EDIT: Here is that thread. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...control%22+jay

Photo from within attached.

LMB335IS · 05-15-2017, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BB_cuda

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMB335IS

Wow! I can do that install on my back in less than a hr as long as no bolts/nuts need to be cut. A M3 swaybar is a 15/20 minute install as well. Crazy what labor is these days and I'm a old fuck.

Would you mind elaborating on the "no bolts/nuts need to be cut" comment please? I had read one of the older M3 suspension conversion threads and saw where the Ground Control guys were grinding something down. I never understood what was being shown then. I'm now starting to connect the dots with that picture cross compiled with your statement. I'll dig up that photo and paste into here.
EDIT: Here is that thread. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...control%22+jay

Photo from within attached.

The control arm has a allen/torx fitting at the end of the bolt that fits it to the knuckle to keep it from spinning while you loosen/tighten the nut. If it's already boogered up or you round it out yourself you'll find yourself hacking a slot into it to try and hold it or just cutting the bolt itself to get the old arm off.

autoart · 05-16-2017, 01:15 AM

I think he's grinding the new arms to slide in easier. When I did mine the new arms where hard to slide in.

feuer · 05-16-2017, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by autoart

I think he's grinding the new arms to slide in easier. When I did mine the new arms where hard to slide in.

Correct, not needed but hey! some people are more finicky than others.

05-14-2017, 01:11 AM	#1
bmwarg Lieutenant 72 Rep 460 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 335i, 2012 E70 50i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	Cost / Advice for M3 front control arms Stopped by the shop because of noise coming from right front wheel when turning left under acceleration. Mechanic noticed that one of the lower control arms had a crack. Hence, I need to replace the two front lower control arms. Was quoted 3 hours labor ($490), 4x OEM front control arms ($460) and alignment worth 1 hour labor ($140). I'm thinking it might be best to order the upper and lower M3 front control arms as they are more durable and better performance. What should be the labor cost for the installation? Also, what else should I add now and associated part / labor cost? e.g., tie rods (thinking Meyele HD, more labor cost?)? M3 E93 sway bar (i hear this increases harshness and understeer but only at very limit)? rear bushings (this feels like much more labor)? __________________ 2008 E90 335i: JB4 G5 ISO \| BMS Pump Gas Backend Flash \| ER Charge Pipe \| n54Tuning DPs \| ETS FMIC Last edited by bmwarg; 05-14-2017 at 01:20 AM..
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05-14-2017, 02:11 AM	#2
6ixSpd Save the manuals! 6068 Rep 6,763 Posts Drives: '16 M3, '23 718 Spyder Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: 416 iTrader: (4)	The labour to change all four will be the same as the labour you were just quoted. __________________ '16 M3 \| '23 718 Spyder Past: E92 M3, F87 M2, E39 M5, etc
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05-14-2017, 08:42 AM	#3
Jklad Lieutenant Colonel 422 Rep 1,643 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Coupe Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Palatine, IL iTrader: (0)	3 hours labor is fair, I just question the high hourly rate your being charged. Also, I just picked up a set of m3 front control arms as a kit from fcp for $315. __________________ 2007 E92 335i MT
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05-14-2017, 11:44 AM	#4
feuer Major General 4289 Rep 9,226 Posts Drives: wife crazy! Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (5)	For $490 in labor I would expect alignment to be included.
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05-14-2017, 02:41 PM	#5
LMB335IS Sua Sponte 1311 Rep 2,857 Posts Drives: 2013 LMB 335is Join Date: May 2008 Location: FOB FL iTrader: (21) Garage List 2013 BMW 335is [8.84]	Wow! I can do that install on my back in less than a hr as long as no bolts/nuts need to be cut. A M3 swaybar is a 15/20 minute install as well. Crazy what labor is these days and I'm a old fuck. __________________ 335is/DCT-M3 GTS software-M3 drivetrain-M3 GWS-KOMBI-DSC-SZL/MHD/BQ Tuning IG@ClustersandCoding
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05-14-2017, 05:33 PM	#6
Go Horns! Second Lieutenant 96 Rep 206 Posts Drives: 2013 335is Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (1)	I just had the install of M3 arms done when I had shocks and springs done. Was charged an extra half hour of labor. Labor rate was $120/hr in Fort Worth, Texas.
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05-16-2017, 01:15 AM	#10
autoart Colonel 372 Rep 2,319 Posts Drives: 2009 335i e90 M/ 22 X3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: socal iTrader: (8)	I think he's grinding the new arms to slide in easier. When I did mine the new arms where hard to slide in.
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