Pulled out the driver's side strut and disassembled it today. I think diagnosis was on point. One of the rubber bushings/bump stops that was supposed to be there was non-existent!! The others, well, I'll let this picture speak for itself. Btw, the biggest one on the far left came out in two pieces.

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Black Sapphire MetallicNevada BrownDark Bamboo e70 X5 xDrive4.8
Alpine WhiteCoral RedAluminum f30 328i Sportline/6MT
Imola RedBlackBlack Aluminum e46 330i ZHP/6MT