Rear trailing-arm and subframe bush wear
Attaches to E8X at chassis level · Suspension · carried by 38 variants across 4 chassis
Overview
Rear trailing-arm and subframe bush wear is a common fault recorded against E8X at chassis level, typically from 100–200k km. It shows up as a knock or clonk from the rear over bumps, a vague or wandering rear end, and uneven rear tyre wear. Where it's documented, the repair runs €150–€500 (bushes pressed in at an independent, costs dated 2026-07), and it can be partly checked before you buy. 38 variants across 4 chassis in this database inherit it.
What happens
Symptom. A knock or clonk from the rear over bumps, a vague or wandering rear end, and uneven rear tyre wear.
Cause. The rubber bushes in the rear trailing arms and subframe mounts perish and let the axle move. On older cars in salted climates the subframe and its mounts can also corrode.
How to check it
Static checks
On a ramp, lever the rear bushes for splitting and check the subframe mounts for corrosion; on the road. Listen for a rear knock and check for even tyre wear.
Engine off, ideally on a lift.
Every variant that carries this
| Variant | Chassis | Body | Years | Risk | Good buy | Cost as % of good buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 116i N45B16 | E87 | hatchback | 2004–2007 | R2 | €2,700 | 12% |
| 116i N43B16 | E87 | hatchback | 2007–2011 | R3 | €3,500 | 9% |
| 116i N43B16 | E81 | hatchback | 2007–2011 | R3 | €3,100 | 10% |
| 118i N46 | E87 | hatchback | 2004–2007 | R2 | €2,900 | 11% |
| 118i N43 | E87 | hatchback | 2007–2011 | R3 | €3,900 | 8% |
| 118i N43 | E81 | hatchback | 2007–2011 | R3 | €3,450 | 9% |
| 118i N43 | E82 | coupe | 2007–2011 | R3 | €4,000 | 8% |
| 118i N43 | E88 | convertible | 2008–2011 | R3 | €4,200 | 8% |
| 120i N46 | E87 | hatchback | 2004–2007 | R2 | €3,250 | 10% |
| 120i N43 | E87 | hatchback | 2007–2011 | R3 | €4,250 | 8% |
| 120i N43 | E81 | hatchback | 2007–2011 | R3 | €3,800 | 9% |
| 120i N43 | E82 | coupe | 2007–2011 | R3 | €4,400 | 7% |
| 120i N43 | E88 | convertible | 2008–2011 | R3 | €4,650 | 7% |
| 125i N52 | E82 | coupe | 2008–2013 | R2 | €7,000 | 5% |
| 125i N52 | E88 | convertible | 2008–2013 | R2 | €7,400 | 4% |
| 130i N52 | E87 | hatchback | 2005–2011 | R2 | €7,000 | 5% |
| 130i N52 | E81 | hatchback | 2007–2011 | R2 | €6,800 | 5% |
| 135i N54 | E82 | coupe | 2007–2010 | R4 | €9,800 | 3% |
| 135i N54 | E88 | convertible | 2008–2010 | R4 | €10,350 | 3% |
| 135i N55 | E82 | coupe | 2010–2013 | R3 | €12,600 | 3% |
| 135i N55 | E88 | convertible | 2010–2013 | R3 | €13,300 | 2% |
| 1M N54 | E82 | coupe | 2011–2012 | R3 | €50,700 | 1% |
| 116d N47 | E87 | hatchback | 2009–2011 | R4 | €4,050 | 8% |
| 116d N47 | E81 | hatchback | 2009–2011 | R4 | €3,600 | 9% |
| 118d M47 | E87 | hatchback | 2004–2007 | R2 | €3,200 | 10% |
| 118d N47 | E87 | hatchback | 2007–2011 | R4 | €4,600 | 7% |
| 118d N47 | E81 | hatchback | 2007–2012 | R4 | €4,100 | 8% |
| 118d N47 | E82 | coupe | 2007–2013 | R4 | €4,700 | 7% |
| 118d N47 | E88 | convertible | 2008–2013 | R4 | €4,950 | 7% |
| 120d M47 | E87 | hatchback | 2004–2007 | R2 | €3,550 | 9% |
| 120d N47 | E87 | hatchback | 2007–2011 | R4 | €5,150 | 6% |
| 120d N47 | E81 | hatchback | 2007–2012 | R4 | €4,600 | 7% |
| 120d N47 | E82 | coupe | 2007–2013 | R4 | €5,250 | 6% |
| 120d N47 | E88 | convertible | 2008–2013 | R4 | €5,550 | 6% |
| 123d N47S | E87 | hatchback | 2007–2011 | R4 | €6,450 | 5% |
| 123d N47S | E81 | hatchback | 2007–2012 | R4 | €5,750 | 6% |
| 123d N47S | E82 | coupe | 2007–2013 | R4 | €6,650 | 5% |
| 123d N47S | E88 | convertible | 2008–2013 | R4 | €6,950 | 5% |
The last column is the point. The same repair is an inconvenience on one variant and a reason to scrap the car on another. A failure costing a quarter of the vehicle's value changes the purchase decision regardless of how rare it is.