Suspension Bushings

[dan983]

Hello:

I have a 98 528i with 18' m5 wheels. The tires at 10,000 miles, Conti-Sport) are exhibiting a noticeable noise, sounds like they're out of round. Someone mentioned the noise could be coming from worn rubber suspension bushings. Does this sound reasonable?

Thanks

[vikdmon]

I think I might have the same problem. I have a 2001 525i, also with sport pkg: 17" conti sport tires with 10k miles. when I drive really slowly or while the car is slowing down to stop, I hear an unusual noise from the front axle, both sides. So it might be the suspension bushings or the axle. God knows. I have an appt. on the 20th to have it checked out.

[dLocke]

Yep, its either the thrust arm bushing or the lower control arm bushings (I'm assuming that your model has the same setup as mine). It's best to just replace the the whole arm because you get charged to press the bushing in the arm anyhow.

I currently have that same problem when I slow from 40 mph gradually.

[vikdmon]

Well here is the thing. I went to the dealer, he said all 5 series with 17" conti sport tires have this problem. Its nothing to do with suspension, just the tires themselves after a while start to make noise as you slow down. I just got them rotated for the time being. The noise is still there but very less, most of it is in the back. The permanant solution would be to replace them with michelins, but they cost a pretty penny. Anybody know of a good place or site for reasonable priced performance all season michilens. I checked tirerack.com and they're about 204/tire.
Thx
-V