Front ti Suspension - Bushings, Struts

[twentysixknots]

First - a lesson learned. Replacing your front control arms or bushings? - Make sure you get the bushings oriented correctly for ride height before bolting it all up - I installed new A-arms and bushings a year ago and noticed I had about a 15-30 degree twist when I set the car on the ground. I thought - no big deal they'll straighten themselves out right... No Way! They completely deteriorated over the last year of normal driving. (These were OEM style with the cross shaped bumpers).

Second - a question. I'm having an alignment shop put in my new solid blue bushings and he tells me I need a new strut. He can get them for $350 each from BMW, but will install my parts for a fee, but "I own them". Should I pay for OEM or get something online and have them installed... assuming that's the preferred option - what aftermarket struts are recommended for a daily driver.

Third - should I replace anything else while I'm at it (nothing looks worn to me except the leaky strut shock).

Thanks for any (good) advice / voice of experience.

Regards,
26knots

1998 318ti Sport (at least I think it's a sport).

[thesk8nmidget]

do not have him buy you a new strut. you can buy used or brand new bilsteins for that and they are WAY BETTER!

hold on let me get you a link

[thesk8nmidget]

here they are practically brand new and most likely wants a lot less than 300 each

http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=22186

[ATF]

Shouldn't you replace struts/shocks in pairs? Stock Sport suspension strut isn't the same as a Bilstein sport is it? Ditto with Aftermarket 'OE' spec strut and OEM strut.

[thesk8nmidget]

yes! you need to do both fronts. and or both rears.

better to do all but it wont be bad to just do fronts or rears

[ATF]

Yeah, when the dealer quoted me on a rattle. They said my RSM's were blown and my rear shocks were toast. They quoted me @ ~ $700. I told them thanks. Bought Bilstein Sports, H&R Sports, e46 RSM's (wish i went with one of the rebuildables...), RSM Reinforcements, Strut Reinforcements and did it all myself @ my buddy's shop.

Did I mention the RSM's weren't blown, and the rattle didn't go away? Stupid rattle clips on the brakes... (which still haven't been replaced ) I wonder what the $120/hr diag charge was for.. crooks.