[ttsidd]

Had been hearing some noise from the driver’s side front going over tiny bumps, almost plastic-y, as if something’s loose. Took it to the dealership and they said it could be the strut, which run $3000 each for the (2016) M235xi…anyone else face this issue, given they are saying it is fairly common? Being told it’s not a safety issue, just an annoyance so can wait….

Thx.

[cristo]

Since the oem struts are under $350 and
Bilstein are under $500, run away quickly
from anyone who quotes $3000 each.

[flybywire]

what's your mileage?

My 2015 235 needed rears last year at 66k. The fronts are making noise similar to your description - I think it's time. If you're driving Chicago streets in the winter they get beaten up pretty well!

I went with BMW parts for the rear, to preserve the suspension modes.

[ttsidd]

Originally Posted by cristo

Since the oem struts are under $350 and
Bilstein are under $500, run away quickly
from anyone who quotes $3000 each.

Thank you, I figured this was exorbitant. Plus 6 years is too soon for any of this to be a strut issue I think.

Will wait and watch for now, the noise is not coming from just the ends either, loose plastic?

thanks,
Talha

[ttsidd]

Originally Posted by flybywire

what's your mileage?

My 2015 235 needed rears last year at 66k. The fronts are making noise similar to your description - I think it's time. If you're driving Chicago streets in the winter they get beaten up pretty well!

I went with BMW parts for the rear, to preserve the suspension modes.

38k miles, yes drive Chicago streets but have had had noise since like 25k miles…

You in Chicago? If so, what’s your shop?

[TTR M240i]

$3000...............!!!!!
I thought this was a typo.
Might be your top mounts/bearings.
Go the cheaper route first.

[flybywire]

Originally Posted by ttsidd

38k miles, yes drive Chicago streets but have had had noise since like 25k miles…

You in Chicago? If so, what’s your shop?

Nope, DC suburbs. One of my kids lives in Hyde Park so visit often.

[Bcbecker3983]

Same issue here. 75k 2016 xdrive... however mine is more in the rear... yours sounds like it could be connecting links for the sway bar...

[XutvJet]

Very likely the strut mount/top hat bearing. They wear out and create clunking/popping noises over smaller bumps. Your car has probably had one too many hard impacts on the rough Chicago streets that have over-taxed the bearing in the mount over time. Shocks/struts rarely make much noise as the wear out.

It could also be the sway bar link bearing. That one is an easy test if you can get both wheels in the air to take tension off the sway bar. Simply jiggle the sway bar link for movement. It should tight and no noise.

The OEM electronic adjustable shocks are around $350/ea and the top hats and a new spring isolator around $200. After removing and installing springs and shocks a multitude of times on my M2325, I'd have to say doing the work does take a bit more time than most front strut-type suspensions. I can do a side in about 1 hour now in my garage with hand tools. A high quality spring compressor and knuckle separator tool are key to making your life easy. I have can have the rear shocks and springs out/in in around 20 minutes per side. 10 minutes if it's just a shock. Crazy easy.