I just replaced both of the mounts this weekend, it's not that bad compared to my e46 but I did run into some issues why I decided to take the axle shaft out.

My first approach was to remove the subframe since it's only 6 bolts (?) and bought a e-18 socket for it, unfortunately I decided to tackle the tension arm balljoint first while it's up in the air. Well too bad since I sheared off one of the e-12 bolts that holds the balljoint and the easiest way to drill out the remaining bolt is to remove the spindle and eventually the cv axle on the driver side. Fun...

Taking out the passenger side is easy, just lift it up until the fan hit the shroud and remove the engine bracket, there are 4 bolts that attaches to the engine. Once that bracket is removed the mount can be remove and replace easily without touching the mount or the axle.

Driver side is another story, the axle needs to be removed if the engine is raised to clear the engine mount bracket. The fan shroud needs to be removed/loosened such that it will not hit the fan (and break it) The intake duct needs to be removed on the air filter/maf area. I also re-orient the dipstick handle higher and out way such that it will not hit the plastic cover on the cowl. Once the axle is out it will go up as high to allow removal of the mount without prying/loosening the subframe. It will take some finangling to remove the engine mount on this side.

My passenger side mount is definitely bad, little cracks but it's compressed a lot and the bracket is just resting on it. My driver side is just compressed.. both of them seems to be original part.

passenger side engine mount, see the indentation of the bracket


passenger side engine bracket to engine mount



side view comparison


reason why the axle shaft needs to be removed



my driver side mount



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