Found a pair of used R53 rear struts that should have a fair number of miles left in them at a good price. Would it be problematic to put these in as replacements in my R50? Does the spring also have to be changed, or will it be okay just leaving the stock spring in?

 

Did you have the Sport suspension option on your car? If so those struts should be identical to the ones on your car already. If not... I'm not sure. I would think they'd still fit, but I'll wait for the experts to chime in. I would be worried about non-sport springs on sport struts.

 

They should go right in. In fact, an R50 with the sport suspension plus option
already has R53 struts.

Oops. looks like paul just beat me to this answer.

I wouldn't be too worried about SS springs on SS+ struts, at worse they'd be about 10% overdamped.

 

Got it - thanks!