If you haven't done your engine mounts...
 

...Holy crap is all i have to say.

Could be one of the most rewarding repairs I have ever done. Absolutely CURED my 'low idle' rattling. I've been chasing that low idle rattle for probably 2 years. It was engine mounts the whole time.

Also got rid of a bunch of ancillary knocks and thuds I had assumed were suspension related but never could understand because my suspension is fresh. I swear I kept thinking I was installing defective Lemfoerder ball joints bc the knocking sounds were similar in certain situations.

It basically brings back that whole "this car soaks up every bump with ease" feeling that i love so much.

I went with techniques from the big engine mount thread by Overboost, but Harbor Freight was out of engine bars so i just YOLO'd it and used the oil pan jack method.

For me, the Passenger side was a lot easier after tilting that bracket forward. Complete PITA to get those bracket bolts loose but inserting the mount was super easy compared to the driver side. I had a hell of a time with that one even with the prybar and loosened subframe bolts.

ABSOLUTELY had to take off the stiffening plate. I hate installing/reinstalling that thing but whatever.

Finally, i am wondering if the Transmission mount replacement is as satisfying? I'm happy to tackle that one next if so !

Definitely do the transmission mounts and guibo while you're there, plus take a good look at the rear subframe bushings, links and spring mounts.

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Transmission mount and flex disks LOOK fine. is it one of those things where it WILL just feel better if they are fresh and new?

The big question is what brand of mounts did you go with ??

A few years back I decided to replace the engine mounts on my 4.4..
Took me a few days with harsh language etc but eventually got them in. Dropping the subframe and lifting the engine it still was a tight squeeze. As soon as I started the car I knew they were no good. Ebay specials. The vibrations were terrible.
So I removed them and put the old ones back on. That must be 5 years ago now and they still seem to be OK even though it's on 190k.
One day I will swap them again but with original BMW specced mounts.

It will tighten everything up, but if you do it all at once it’s easier in the long run.

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Corteco from a site I have never ordered from before that was half the price of everybody else. Carparts.com like $75 each. Hopefully not China-fakes but very well could be. ill take my chances I suppose. the corteco boxes looked real at least. but there was some sticker goo on the bottom of each one where some kind of sticker had been peeled off. I’m just praying that it was the original oem BMW sticker.

we shall see. In any case the next six months to a year should be very pleasant and I can do it in less than 3 hours next time !

When i replaced my engine I tested the mounts by torquing the tops and they felt ok.

WRONG!

Damn it was a lot more difficult to change from under the engine!

I used engine crane to lift the engine a bit. First to test if that would kill the vibration = yes then a few days later to replace the mounts.

Engine crane worked better vs bar much easier to set up. Since still attracted to the trans only one point to grab.

I used "a premium" Amazon brand. Going strong for 7-8 months. I've used their stuff for almost a decade. Had a fuel pump fail after 11 months they replaced it without complication, i just sent a photo with the serial number.


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i am all about sneaking in some chinesium where applicable. but these dudes here scared me into buying corteco.

I would NOT have spent that much if I didn’t get that deal…which of course could be counterfeit but I will take my chances.