Yes, I didn't touch steering u-joint. Oh. Forgot to note that I had to remove driver side sway bar link, because sway bar was on the way too.

BTW, this was done to m62. M54 will be slightly different, but shouldn't be much.

Changed my front guibo (falling apart) and that relieved a tiny bit of high speed vibration, but after replacing engine mounts, ALL idle vibration is gone. Like Srmmmm said, stopped door panels, dash, center console.....everything from vibrating. LOL Wish I would have done it a long time ago. Got lazy and paid my indy to replace so no help on guidance, but I'm sure crystalworks and I will have some more insight after getting to his 4.8is. :stickpoke

Where in CA are you located? My indie in OC quoted me about $750 in labor and about $1k out the door including parts. It's still haven't bug me enough to spend that $1k :D

PM me if you're in SoCal and want my indie's info.

Oh boy, I'd totally forgotten about that. Yeah, dropped the subframe a few inches. No, I didn't mess around with the steering coupler u-joint.

Looks like loosening the subframe and dropping it a couple of inches is the way to go to get the mounts replaced.

This is exactly the information I needed and why our forum and members are so helpful for planning any project. Thanks everyone! :thumbup:

Has anyone taken a gamble on aftermarket mounts? I know conventional BMW wisdom is BMW/OE only, but let's face it... the BMW mounts haven't held up great and will certainly fail again. Just curious, as this job is somewhere in cue for my E53. I'll probably go with the OE Corteco mounts unless anyone can report good service from something else.

AM.

No need to drop the subframe, although I did my mounts when replacing the oil pan gasket, which did require a subframe drop.

Just get an engine lifting device (about $50 at harbor freight on sale, but I had to 'extend' it)

Undo the engine mount bolts (release the mount from subframe), and then unbolt the support arm from the block. Take the support arm out with the mount attached, and then replace the mount on the bench.

On the d/s, you do need to get some extra stuff out of the way like the axle and dipstick tube. You may also need to remove the air intake ducting and plastic splash shield for access. I think you can leave the stiffening plate in place.

I have to do the same to my 06 M54. Same symptoms, bad vibrations at idle.

Are you guys replacing the subframe and engine mount bolts? Seems as though BMW recommends to do so.

New engine mounts are my Presidents day project along with replacing the front guibo, new poly sway bar bushings and oil level sensor. Started with the need to replace the sensor. Figured since I was going to have to drop the stiffening plate and I have the bad vibration at idle I'd take care of a bunch of items while the plate was off. The sway bar bushings have never been replaced in 245,000 miles. Even when I did the suspension refresh.

I purchased class 12 bolts and nuts for about $20. At that price replacing the stiffening plate nuts and bolts is a no brainer.

I'm going to rent an engine hoist for $40 since the Harbor Freight engine support isn't big enough.