Hello all, trying to get a price together for shocks and struts on my 2005 X3 3.0. I've found plenty of places including Bavauto and FCP that will sell the entire strut assembly for the front but I'm curious as to wether someone makes a strut insert for these cars. I just did the entire suspension system (control arms, tie rods, struts and shocks and every other bushing related to these) on my 1993 525it and was able to get strut inserts and new bushings/hardware for a fraction of the cost of the complete assembly. Is it worth trying to save a few bucks getting just the inserts or should i splurge and get the whole assembly. The strut housings on the car are not damaged but the car has about 150,000 miles so i assume at the very least the springs will need to be replaced as well. Any input would be greatly appreciated! thanks
I wouldn't automatically assume springs need replacing, unless you see marked deterioration due to rust or some-such. Not sure if there's any diy means of testing springs. Best I can tell from looking at realoem.com, bilstein, etc., it looks like your X3 front struts are made with the spring perches attached, and is not a tube with a separate strut insert. I'd think a conversation with the BavAuto folks, for one, would answer your question. From the realoem.com front suspension pic, it looks like the strut (with spring perch) inserts and sits in the carrier, so the parts you've been sourcing, if they're the front struts, are just that, and not the rest of the front carrier assembly. (pic. is for production month of 5/2005, you may want to check your exact month, but it's probably the same) http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=PA93&mospid=47794&btnr=31_0671&hg=31&fg=10
Thanks for the advice M. i ended up grabbing the Bilstien sport struts and rear shocks from Bavauto at 10% off. had a friend of mine with a shop do the leaky oil pan gasket as well and the valve cover gasket is next on my list of weekend chores. all in all for 155,000 miles my x3 is running like a champ but i still worry about high price items like exhaust and power steering/rack and pinion. guess thats the nature of the beast.
Keep up your with the maintenance on your vehicle and I wouldn't worry to much on the exhaust normally they only fail from outside influences like oil separators failing and filling the exhaust will oil. And if you do flushes for the power steering system you shouldn't have really much trouble with the rack.