[Trevendous03]

I bought Eibach Pro Street S coilovers, height adjustable only which reuse the OEM strut/shock mounts. Do I need to replace the strut/schock mounts? My car has 72k miles.

I've tried searching for this, and I can't seem to find an accurate answer. Some people claim they never replace the mounts and some say it's necessary to do so, but I'd like to not have to spend the extra $200 if I don't have to. I've also read some opinions on replacing the sway bar links too... all this just keeps adding up...

What do you think?

Also, if you know of a place where I can get the mounts for cheap, please let me know.

[lbernielu]

Your mounts could very well be worn, and the 2006 models may have had OEM strut mounts that were redesigned one year later. I am doing a suspension upgrade on my 2006 330i (now with 110k miles) and purchased the front and rear mount kit from Turner Motorsports. Several places, including Turner, sell the mounts for about $50 each - once you confirm the part number you can shop around.

[#Tee]

If theres no visible stress cracks/worn out then theres no need. If you must replace them then just get some camber plates.

[Trevendous03]

Originally Posted by lbernielu

Your mounts could very well be worn, and the 2006 models may have had OEM strut mounts that were redesigned one year later. I am doing a suspension upgrade on my 2006 330i (now with 110k miles) and purchased the front and rear mount kit from Turner Motorsports. Several places, including Turner, sell the mounts for about $50 each - once you confirm the part number you can shop around.

Yeah I saw Turner has the fronts for $50/each...

Originally Posted by StretchNpoke

If theres no visible stress cracks/worn out then theres no need. If you must replace them then just get some camber plates.

I guess I'll have to see during the install. I just can't have my car out of commission at all. I am more willing to just wait and see though instead of spending an extra $200 for something that isn't needed. You're right about that... good idea with the camber plates.

[Pynne]

Looking forward to hear your feedback of those Pro Street S - been looking at them for a couple of months, and just cant decide if it will be to stiff and uncomfy for daily driver..

[sonorous]

Originally Posted by Trevendous03

Yeah I saw Turner has the fronts for $50/each...

Just be aware that the $50 strut bearings are the non-sport version. The full kit that Turner sells includes the sport version. To use their description directly: "front upper strut mounts (also known as a guide support), 31306775098 (higher quality than 31336760943 strut mount)"

[serotoninsteve]

I would suggest changing them,
look at my picture, the height difference is telling everything.
Car was stock until 47000kms,
then the KW V3 went in an got harscher with every km I drove.
The result is at 76000km.

So better changing them went the strut is already disassembled,
or get street camber plates.

[Trevendous03]

Originally Posted by serotoninsteve

I would suggest changing them,
look at my picture, the height difference is telling everything.
Car was stock until 47000kms,
then the KW V3 went in an got harscher with every km I drove.
The result is at 76000km.

So better changing them went the strut is already disassembled,
or get street camber plates.

Are those the same part number but the one on the right is just really worn?

[serotoninsteve]

Yes the same part number,
those are from my xi, so they look different from the i for you.
I changed the rears too, but there was no wear visually detectable.

All the rubber parts wear out,
and until it completely cracks it's not detectable visually.

My subframe bushings where the same,
the car was undriveable, torque steer under load and breaking,
mushy response while accelerating and so on!
The dealer meant they where okay as there was no visible wear,
they said they should last at least 200k.

Now I've changed them to the m3 subframe bushings,
unbelievable how tight the rear end feels now.
Torque response is still a bit mushy (but already a lot better),
so I've ordered powerflex diff bushings as they are dead too.

In general the non M models all have soft bushings wich wear out pretty fast if you drive them fast or modded with lots of torque.

On top of the strut mounts there is a sort of rubber worm coming out under load when they are new.
It seems that when they are worn this worm is completely retracted into the strut mount rubber, but not 100% sure about this.

At your mileage I would change them definately.

[sonorous]

I am not an expert on the xi but for the i, there was definitely a redesign to the strut bearing from early build E90's. My car was a March 2007 build and had the old part. I posted about it here: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=694689

There may be a similar difference on xi parts. I really don't think these bushings get shorter as they wear. I believe there are different heights for different versions/revisions.

I plan to keep my car for a while and I am glad I changed them at 85k even if they had more life in them.

[serotoninsteve]

No, the 2 on the picture are the same part number.

For the xi there is a new part number 31306785962 from 03/2010 when they changed to the N55 xi. Different struts perhaps?

All older models with the N54 use part number 31336775097 wich is still available.

So yes they wear like that, some earlier, some others later.

I have to say that the car did not sit higher afterwards!
Under load they perhaps squash and when getting tired don't come back to their initial height?