Front Strut Replacement Options

[witz323]

I have a 2011 X5 50i Msport w/ about 150,000 miles. Car is in the shop getting new front control arms and the SA said the Front Struts could be replaced, but it's $3,750 to do the OEM front struts. He advised not to spend the money on the front struts as the vehicle is coming up on 10 years old and has such high mileage. I've owned the 6 for just over 6 years and put on about 100,000 miles.

My question is has anyone successfully installed new aftermarket front struts? I'd prefer not to have a warning light.

If you did, how much did it cost? What brand did you use? Were you able to bypass the warning light?

[TheeE86]

I’m assuming your talking about the adaptive struts. What warning light do you have? Do you have the code?
If it is one front strut and it’s actually bad, you could watch for a used one on eBay and replace it, they go for a couple hundred dollars and are easy to replace.

[witz323]

Yes, the adaptive struts. I currently do not have any warning lights, but the car has been driving like crap for the last year or two. SA thinks struts need replacement, but i'm not paying $3,800 to do it.

I currently do not have any codes, I was just curious if anyone replaced the electronic struts with something aftermarket and received a code.

I will scope out ebay a little bit.

[TheeE86]

Ah ok makes more sense now. So replacing the adaptive struts with non-adaptive strut will give you a code, probably many codes.
On other BMW models such as the M3, when replacing with standard struts, the adaptive warnings can be either coded out or a Module can be purchased to trick the computer into thinking adaptive struts are still installed. Both these options I don't believe are available on the X5, at least not from what I have found. I too would be interested in replacing my adaptive with standard struts if it was possible.

[witz323]

My SA has not heard of anyone replacing the adaptive struts with anything other than oem. I guess i'll see how the car feels with new control arms and bushings before I explore used adaptive strut options. Should have car back Thursday.

[Ebtahi98]

I have a 13 M / They are very difficult to source even on eBay / I have a M with 100k and my last X5M had KWV3 (was totaled yadda yadda ) so my pass side strut cartridge went, I purchased an edc ft pass side electric unit DID NOT WORK! from eBay M is different from the rest and difficult to source (I was waiting for KWV3 back order due to raw material shortage for 7 mos ) having spent 400 + on units that won't fit so you have options and just get ready to wait good luck