Loaded/complete strut assembly?

busted323i · 02-13-2022, 09:58 PM

Are there any loaded strut assemblies available for RWD sedans ('06 323i)? Been looking around but can't really find anything

StradaRedlands · 02-13-2022, 10:57 PM

I'm a satisfied customer: http://www.strutmonkey.com/

thalastdon1985 · 02-17-2022, 07:26 AM

Rock auto has a few options. The cheap FCS ones work, but they suck. They also have kyb and Sachs sometimes though.

whyzee125 · 02-17-2022, 02:49 PM

I'd go with the strutmonkey units, the aftermarket stuff like Monroe, FSC, etc. are all garbage.

busted323i · 02-18-2022, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whyzee125

I'd go with the strutmonkey units, the aftermarket stuff like Monroe, FSC, etc. are all garbage.

Honestly bro I don't really have ~900$ to throw at aging (but not broken) suspension lol,

tcphoto · 02-18-2022, 10:05 AM

Don't worry about pre-assembled, I bought a set of lowering spring perches over the summer and struggled with the Autozone loaner compressors. I took the parts over to an Indy shop near me and they quickly assembled them for $75.

The Nightman · 02-18-2022, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by busted323i

Honestly bro I don't really have ~900$ to throw at aging (but not broken) suspension lol,

If budget is an issue, then use spring compressors and assemble your own struts while reusing your springs. You usually only need to replace the strut mounts and bump stops. Paying for poor quality pre-assembled struts is a false economy.

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1477216

whyzee125 · 03-10-2022, 12:33 AM

KYB shocks are actually decent quality but I've never heard of anyone using them for these cars. If you must go with loaded struts, that's the ones I would use. I would much rather get some Koni Str.t or Yellow or Bilstein B4 and just rent some compressors to do it. Not a difficult job at all.

stilesg57 · 03-11-2022, 04:14 PM

Another rec for the Monkey. Chris was super helpful -- along with many hours searching on this board -- and pre-assembled a kit for me (correctly, ha) for about the same cost as buying everything individually. It all gets installed in 2wks. I'm excited.

I don't know what to tell you if you think it's too expensive: after 100k+ miles and 15+ years you have to put some money into these cars' suspensions to get them back into fighting shape. Just kinda comes with the territory.

busted323i · 03-11-2022, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stilesg57

Another rec for the Monkey. Chris was super helpful -- along with many hours searching on this board -- and pre-assembled a kit for me (correctly, ha) for about the same cost as buying everything individually. It all gets installed in 2wks. I'm excited.

I don't know what to tell you if you think it's too expensive: after 100k+ miles and 15+ years you have to put some money into these cars' suspensions to get them back into fighting shape. Just kinda comes with the territory.

Awesome! Hope the new struts let ya carve the roads up like new

I think my suspension has a bit of life left in em, probably will consider changing them out closer to fall

stilesg57 · 03-12-2022, 12:21 AM

In that case I'd put it off as long as possible -- or as long as you can stand it -- then use that time to save up and do it all in one go. Doing it that way will save install time (if you're doing the work yourself) or labor costs (if you're paying someone else), and will squeeze all the remaining life the original stuff has left.

StradaRedlands · 03-12-2022, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whyzee125

KYB shocks are actually decent quality but I've never heard of anyone using them for these cars. If you must go with loaded struts, that's the ones I would use. I would much rather get some Koni Str.t or Yellow or Bilstein B4 and just rent some compressors to do it. Not a difficult job at all.

I used KYB on my other car (Mazda3) and they are pretty nice. I think it was around $600 for F&R including stops and rear upper mounts.

Bobh59 · 03-12-2022, 09:56 AM

[QUOTE=stilesg57;28677847]Another rec for the Monkey. Chris was super helpful -- along with many hours searching on this board -- and pre-assembled a kit for me (correctly, ha) for about the same cost as buying everything individually. It all gets installed in 2wks. I'm excited.

And another recommendation for Chris. Best upgrade I've done and one of the best experiences with a vendor I've had.

tlow98 · 03-25-2022, 01:21 AM

Love hearing this about Chris @ Strutmonkey. That guy is super knowledgeable.

02-13-2022, 09:58 PM	#1
busted323i Enlisted Member 1 Rep 47 Posts Drives: BMW 323i Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Loaded/complete strut assembly? Are there any loaded strut assemblies available for RWD sedans ('06 323i)? Been looking around but can't really find anything
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02-13-2022, 10:57 PM	#2
StradaRedlands Brigadier General 6579 Rep 3,920 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i MT Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: SoCal iTrader: (3) Garage List 2006 BMW 330i [8.45] 2009 BMW 328i Touri ... [8.00] 2013 BMW X5 35i [7.80] 2011 BMW 528i [8.70] 2006 Mazda3 [5.50]	I'm a satisfied customer: http://www.strutmonkey.com/
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02-17-2022, 07:26 AM	#3
thalastdon1985 Enlisted Member 28 Rep 43 Posts Drives: 2007 328i Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: SC iTrader: (0)	Rock auto has a few options. The cheap FCS ones work, but they suck. They also have kyb and Sachs sometimes though.
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02-17-2022, 02:49 PM	#4
whyzee125 Brigadier General 2004 Rep 4,030 Posts Drives: Dinan stage 2 335i Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Chattanooga Tn iTrader: (0)	I'd go with the strutmonkey units, the aftermarket stuff like Monroe, FSC, etc. are all garbage.
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02-18-2022, 10:05 AM	#6
tcphoto Brigadier General 4234 Rep 3,259 Posts Drives: E92 335i 6MT Coupe Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (1)	Don't worry about pre-assembled, I bought a set of lowering spring perches over the summer and struggled with the Autozone loaner compressors. I took the parts over to an Indy shop near me and they quickly assembled them for $75. __________________
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03-10-2022, 12:33 AM	#8
whyzee125 Brigadier General 2004 Rep 4,030 Posts Drives: Dinan stage 2 335i Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Chattanooga Tn iTrader: (0)	KYB shocks are actually decent quality but I've never heard of anyone using them for these cars. If you must go with loaded struts, that's the ones I would use. I would much rather get some Koni Str.t or Yellow or Bilstein B4 and just rent some compressors to do it. Not a difficult job at all.
	Appreciate 1 StradaRedlands6578.50 Quote

03-11-2022, 04:14 PM	#9
stilesg57 Enlisted Member 21 Rep 39 Posts Drives: '07 328i 6MT Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Chicagoland iTrader: (0)	Another rec for the Monkey. Chris was super helpful -- along with many hours searching on this board -- and pre-assembled a kit for me (correctly, ha) for about the same cost as buying everything individually. It all gets installed in 2wks. I'm excited. I don't know what to tell you if you think it's too expensive: after 100k+ miles and 15+ years you have to put some money into these cars' suspensions to get them back into fighting shape. Just kinda comes with the territory. __________________ '07 E90 328i 6MT Sport Pkg --- Sparkling Graphite Metallic --- Stock/Current Dynojet: 202whp/225whp Full Suspension Refresh ● M3 & Manzo Arms, AKG Sub Bushings, Eibach F&R Swaybars, ProKit & Koni Yellows ● 17x8.5 245/40R17 ● 3.73 Diff ● 3SIM ● Kassel Tune ● Custom header-back exhaust ● MILVs incoming
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03-12-2022, 12:21 AM	#11
stilesg57 Enlisted Member 21 Rep 39 Posts Drives: '07 328i 6MT Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Chicagoland iTrader: (0)	In that case I'd put it off as long as possible -- or as long as you can stand it -- then use that time to save up and do it all in one go. Doing it that way will save install time (if you're doing the work yourself) or labor costs (if you're paying someone else), and will squeeze all the remaining life the original stuff has left. __________________ '07 E90 328i 6MT Sport Pkg --- Sparkling Graphite Metallic --- Stock/Current Dynojet: 202whp/225whp Full Suspension Refresh ● M3 & Manzo Arms, AKG Sub Bushings, Eibach F&R Swaybars, ProKit & Koni Yellows ● 17x8.5 245/40R17 ● 3.73 Diff ● 3SIM ● Kassel Tune ● Custom header-back exhaust ● MILVs incoming
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03-12-2022, 09:56 AM	#13
Bobh59 Private 53 Rep 88 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi coupe Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 335xi coupe [0.00]	[QUOTE=stilesg57;28677847]Another rec for the Monkey. Chris was super helpful -- along with many hours searching on this board -- and pre-assembled a kit for me (correctly, ha) for about the same cost as buying everything individually. It all gets installed in 2wks. I'm excited. And another recommendation for Chris. Best upgrade I've done and one of the best experiences with a vendor I've had. __________________ PPK \| Mishimoto FMIC \| ER CP \| Forge DVs \| RB Inlets \| RB PCV \| BMW PE \| Dinan springs/Koni Yellows
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03-25-2022, 01:21 AM	#14
tlow98 Major General 2313 Rep 5,228 Posts Drives: 2009 E91, 2014 F15 x35i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (2)	Love hearing this about Chris @ Strutmonkey. That guy is super knowledgeable.
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