Front strut questions

[David.X5]

I have rear-axle air "Sports" suspension. I like "sports". Don't want it any stiffer though.

I'm getting more and more noise from my front struts. Anyone have luck lubricating the mounts/top bearing or should I just replace it all (strut and top bearing)? Seems like it is still on its original struts at 153k. Can't complain about that.

About replacing - BMW originals are about $300 per.
Bilstein HD are like $230 each. Anything else that might match the quality and feel?

Thanks!

[Ricky Bobby]

You have air struts on a 2001? I thought that EHC2 wasn't introduced until 2002 model year.

Bilstein HD are stiffer than the BMW Sport suspension- if you want similar to stock feel you'd go with the Bilstein Touring I believe

[David.X5]

Just rear air. D--m. Was trying to type 1-axle. Will go fix that

[StephenVA]

Time for a suspension refresh.
There is no "lube" oils for this application nor any way to inject it. The upper struts bushings have a given their full life. Just replace everything while your in there. It will provide that new car handling that has been going away over the last 15k.

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by David.X5

I have rear-axle air "Sports" suspension. I like "sports". Don't want it any stiffer though.

I'm getting more and more noise from my front struts. Anyone have luck lubricating the mounts/top bearing or should I just replace it all (strut and top bearing)? Seems like it is still on its original struts at 153k. Can't complain about that.

About replacing - BMW originals are about $300 per.
Bilstein HD are like $230 each. Anything else that might match the quality and feel?

Thanks!

The Sachs original shocks are pretty good. I was able to get my set from Rockauto for $180 a piece which is very reasonable.

[David.X5]

Thanks. I was looking at the Sachs but they say non-sports suspension. FCP Euro sells them for $132 each now ... Pretty tempting.

[David.X5]

I'm getting confused now. Went to the Sachs website (I didn't know they are part of ZF -Lemforder is too!) to confirm the figment and it says "sportfederung" which I think translates to sports suspension. Hmmm...

[X53Jay4.8is]

Originally Posted by David.X5

I'm getting confused now. Went to the Sachs website (I didn't know they are part of ZF -Lemforder is too!) to confirm the figment and it says "sportfederung" which I think translates to sports suspension. Hmmm...

I have the X5 4.6is and I assure you mine is the sport suspension. Rock Auto has the strut but it will come from the UK which adds $40 shipping for the strut. so when you add this in it comes to about $180 per strut which is far less then through BMW. I am installing these with my H&R front sport springs. Yes ZF is part of ZF, Lemforder all great quality brands for our BMWs.

[Ricky Bobby]

Sachs is the OE and yes they have them for the sports suspension - If you want a Bilstein sports suspension equivalent shock or strut its the B4 Touring

BILSTEIN 22119278

BILSTEIN 22119261

$153 plus shipping from RockAuto. As long as you don't have 2-axle air suspension they will work. But I would also refresh the whole front suspension including top strut mounts, control arms etc

[bcredliner]

with rebuilding the front suspension. You can replace parts as they fail but you will be repeating much of the same disassembly each time. In addition new parts often accelerate the failing of old parts. And, at 153,000 miles a rebuild is overdue.