The rattling I mentioned is so hard (when it occurs) that it makes me thing the car will desintegrate next seconds...

Thanks again and if you confirm your advice it looks like I need a new shop as well

For a typical complete front-end rebuild, the parts should be as follows:

strut inserts(commonly referred to as shocks) : $80 each for Boge OEM shocks - 2 required
thrust arms plus bushings : $130 each - 2 required
lower control arms : $90 each - 2 required
idler arm : $35 - 1 required
outer tie rods : $45 each - 2 required
centre tie rod : $65 each - 1 required
sway bar links : $25 each - 2 required

Total cost, excluding labour, should be around $700. It is not necessary to replace the complete struts just the strut inserts. Ask your mechanic to give you a list of the parts that he intends to replace and check it against this list.

Regards

Alex Lynch

I had the terrible rattling occurence that other people on this board mentioned - after hitting a bump in the road at high speed. The front enters some kind of resonance and only slowing down to 20/30 mph stops it...

Mechanics say: both struts plus some rods/bushings need replacement. It looks like new parts are $1200 a piece... so I though of looking for not so new! Bavarian doesn't have it. Any other places you might suggest ??

Thanks, Michael.