Suspension Replacement
 

I have a 03 X5 3.0 with 80,xxx on it and just bought some Bilstein HD's from BavAuto. I had a shop look at the car and they said the fronts have worn out and I should have the rears replaced as well. Anyways...is 7 years / 80K miles typical for struts/shocks replacement? I bought the Bilsteins because the Sachs are on backorder and I heard some good things about them.

dunno - I don't think there is a typical because it totally depends on the use. Were those 80K miles on a race track? off road coarse? Pot-hole infested inner city? heavy mix of snow driving in the winter? smooth interstate in sunny CA?

My X5 had a lot of highway miles and I purchased it with 95K on it already. According to the BMW dealer that did the PPI, the only item that was wearing out in the suspension was the thrust bearing, or something to that effect. I figure I will replace that soon but have not gotten around to it. But the vehicle drives and rides really nice, so I don't think it really needs shocks just yet. Maybe in a year, for sure in 2.

I've had it for about 1.5 years and have put about 30K on it, I live in MA and was in Boston for 6 months with her in the snow, pot holes, and occasional curb...

How is the ride? my 01 didn't need new shocks/struts until 140k miles.

When driving I can hear loud clunking noise and feel it under the dead pedal... it is def. a little more bumpy, but turning is the same as before.

I had the same issue with clunking. Here is a thread I started on the issue.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...rut-mount.html

I had replaced mine as the one seen in the pic on the linked thread was already cracking on both sides. I replaced both with new and the new one actually broke. Replaced and it has been fine since.

I agree about the bumpy. If I did it again I would replace with Sachs.

80k. i would do an overhaul if your going to keep her another 80k.

jst2878,
What do you mean by an overhaul...sounds expensive...

Sorry, rear shocks, front struts. I would do new springs front and rear. Check your top strut mounts for damage. New gaskets(4)@15.00, and an alignment

I got the shocks and struts, when theyre being installed if teh springs look bad i will probably replace same as the strut mounts...its my friends shop so if it needs to stay there for a few days to have the extra work on its ok.

Should I have the alignment done anyways after the shocks and struts are put on? Is that recommended?