2008xi struts need replaced

wilsjay · 04-23-2013, 12:54 PM

Just took my car in for the recall on the battery cable and was told my right front strut (shock as they called it) is leaking. He said with the amount of mileage my car has on it (52K miles) they would do both fronts for $1995.

Seems overly pricey and I am a bit skeptical of it actually needing replaced vs. them just trying to make some money... Any recommendations on best places/brands to shop if I DIY it? I don't need anything super high performance, but I don't want to trash the cars handling either to save a couple of bucks.

I have changed front struts on other cars (non-Bimmers), are these pretty similar to change on my car?

MikeR1994 · 04-23-2013, 01:08 PM

$2k for that?!? Hell, for $1,500 I'd drive to Ohio and do it for you! Koni Yellows are a good option if you want to upgrade while you're at it, and they're pretty inexpensive. Check ECStuning.com

drsilvershot · 04-23-2013, 04:49 PM

2k??

wilsjay · 04-23-2013, 07:21 PM

Yeah, I was wondering if they were made out of unicorn tears at that price... Thanks for the recommend MikeR1994. I had not seen that site before.

As far as the DIY, I have not seen one for my car, so I am assuming there is nothing special about them on my car.

FYI- I am perfectly happy with the OEM struts (especially after getting rid of the RFT tires!), if that makes any difference in folks recommendations...

slimon · 04-23-2013, 10:35 PM

I have bilstein hd on my 2008xi wagon, with stock springs. I could not be happier.

Ride comfort is better, handling is better. It's a win in every direction, trust me.

wilsjay · 04-24-2013, 07:30 AM

Did you change them yourself? Where did you get yours from?

AlpinWeiss · 04-24-2013, 12:42 PM

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=336355

Here is the DIY I followed this past weekend. Walks you through all the steps with plenty of pictures.

wilsjay · 04-24-2013, 09:00 PM

Thanks AlpinWeiss, that is exactly what I was looking for! I was searching for e90 and DIY struts and coming up empty.

Sounds like Koni and Bilstein are the most popular choices for replacements.

mjlav3 · 04-26-2013, 06:51 PM

Just did 4 koni yellows on a 335 xDrive and the same win-win others report. More comfortable and better handling. Mine are all 1/4 from full soft for now. Just installed last week.

wilsjay · 04-26-2013, 09:05 PM

mjlav, where did you get yours from?

HP Autosport · 04-26-2013, 11:22 PM

Koni's are on sale right now and will out perform the OE dampers any day. You will get OE like ride if not better, but with much better control.

mjlav3 · 04-27-2013, 01:05 PM

Bavauto. Good sale right now but I had already bought earlier.

04-23-2013, 12:54 PM	#1
wilsjay Private 33 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 2008 335XI Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Cincinnati, OH iTrader: (0)	2008xi struts need replaced Just took my car in for the recall on the battery cable and was told my right front strut (shock as they called it) is leaking. He said with the amount of mileage my car has on it (52K miles) they would do both fronts for $1995. Seems overly pricey and I am a bit skeptical of it actually needing replaced vs. them just trying to make some money... Any recommendations on best places/brands to shop if I DIY it? I don't need anything super high performance, but I don't want to trash the cars handling either to save a couple of bucks. I have changed front struts on other cars (non-Bimmers), are these pretty similar to change on my car?
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04-23-2013, 01:08 PM	#2
MikeR1994 Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 277 Posts Drives: 06 e90 325i, 05 325Ci (RIP) Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 325i [0.00]	$2k for that?!? Hell, for $1,500 I'd drive to Ohio and do it for you! Koni Yellows are a good option if you want to upgrade while you're at it, and they're pretty inexpensive. Check ECStuning.com __________________ -Michael Active Autowerke Stage II \| MMW CSv2 Exhaust \| MMW Catless Headers \| BC Racing BR Extreme Low Coilovers \| custom adjustable rear suspension links \| 19" Hyperblack CSL's \| M3 style front \| trim wrapped in brushed steel vinyl \| Slightly smoked tail lights with clear reverse lights \| factory xenons
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04-23-2013, 04:49 PM	#3
drsilvershot First Lieutenant 21 Rep 327 Posts Drives: 08 335xi jet black Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: providence, ri iTrader: (5)	2k??
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04-23-2013, 07:21 PM	#4
wilsjay Private 33 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 2008 335XI Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Cincinnati, OH iTrader: (0)	Yeah, I was wondering if they were made out of unicorn tears at that price... Thanks for the recommend MikeR1994. I had not seen that site before. As far as the DIY, I have not seen one for my car, so I am assuming there is nothing special about them on my car. FYI- I am perfectly happy with the OEM struts (especially after getting rid of the RFT tires!), if that makes any difference in folks recommendations...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-23-2013, 10:35 PM	#5
slimon Private 1 Rep 90 Posts Drives: 328xi Wagon - 6 Spd Manual Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	I have bilstein hd on my 2008xi wagon, with stock springs. I could not be happier. Ride comfort is better, handling is better. It's a win in every direction, trust me.
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04-24-2013, 07:30 AM	#6
wilsjay Private 33 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 2008 335XI Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Cincinnati, OH iTrader: (0)	Did you change them yourself? Where did you get yours from?
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04-24-2013, 12:42 PM	#7
AlpinWeiss Member 21 Rep 168 Posts Drives: E90 328i xDrive Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: VA iTrader: (3)	http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=336355 Here is the DIY I followed this past weekend. Walks you through all the steps with plenty of pictures. __________________ daily: E90 LCI 328i #AWE90 track toy: E36 M3 #bcRCR instagram: omgwtfxbbq
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04-24-2013, 09:00 PM	#8
wilsjay Private 33 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 2008 335XI Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Cincinnati, OH iTrader: (0)	Thanks AlpinWeiss, that is exactly what I was looking for! I was searching for e90 and DIY struts and coming up empty. Sounds like Koni and Bilstein are the most popular choices for replacements.
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04-26-2013, 06:51 PM	#9
mjlav3 New Member 0 Rep 16 Posts Drives: 2009 335 E90 xDrive Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: New England iTrader: (0)	Just did 4 koni yellows on a 335 xDrive and the same win-win others report. More comfortable and better handling. Mine are all 1/4 from full soft for now. Just installed last week.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-26-2013, 09:05 PM	#10
wilsjay Private 33 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 2008 335XI Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Cincinnati, OH iTrader: (0)	mjlav, where did you get yours from?
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04-26-2013, 11:22 PM	#11
HP Autosport Supreme Allied Commander 3808 Rep 54,295 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Santa Barbara, AP, Brembo, GIAC, Koni, Ohlins, Performance Friction, www.hpautosport.com iTrader: (36)	Koni's are on sale right now and will out perform the OE dampers any day. You will get OE like ride if not better, but with much better control.
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04-27-2013, 01:05 PM	#12
mjlav3 New Member 0 Rep 16 Posts Drives: 2009 335 E90 xDrive Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: New England iTrader: (0)	Bavauto. Good sale right now but I had already bought earlier.
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