Woke up this morning to nice puddle underneath my car, it was right in middle directly under the engine so initially I was worried it was a major oil leak. I had a look under the car and it turns out the oil was leaking from the strut, travelling along the front lower control arm, then dripping off in the middle. I thought phew! good thing it wasn't engine oil lol. Still a little disappointed that this happens with only 54k on the car. Initially I thought it was due to my lowering springs (H&R sports) putting extra stress on the struts, but I've only had them on for about 1k so this must've been a long time coming.

With all that being said, I can find an oem replacement for about $100. What I was wondering though, is if it is recommended to do these things in pairs (I'm thinking to maybe balance out the car left to right somewhat?) because for all I know the passenger front strut is on its last legs too. What also had me thinking was the fact I can buy a koni yellow for only $50 more, but I guess if you buy one you have to commit to buying a whole set? I guess that little mod bug inside me is telling me that I might as well replace the broken part with something better while I'm at it....lol. Also, the struts are sold as left and right, I'm assuming left is drivers side?

Advice appreciated guys

 

I would replace all. Koni if you can fund it, OEM replacment in a pinch. Left=driver side

 

+1
Not a great idea to replace just one.
If money is tight you may as well look for a used strut until you can afford to do all 4
Also, Koni all around is a good idea.

 

With lowering springs, see if you can find used "JCW" struts...maybe find a used OK set to DIY. The JCW stuts are a bit shorter and MADE to be used with lowing springs.
Folks sometimes sell them when they move to coil-overs.
That having been said, for the $$, you can do better than OEM for the same price new. Just be careful how cheap you go....some auto store struts are junk....

 

Well here is where I would be buying them from. The $104 option is the oem model. The more expensive ones are jcw but for that price I'd obviously go koni yellow.

http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/200..._assembly.html

So from what I gather replacing just one is not an option? What about just doing the fronts to balance it out? But then if I do the fronts am I committed to doing the rear too??? I can afford to do all 4 but I don't want to if it isn't necessary. If I end up doing all 4 I plan to go aftermarket to make it worth my while. From what I understand koni yellows are the standard for performance struts. Just how good are they? Any other options worth considering?

 

Koni sports are PHYSICALLY shorter, so the valves are less likly to be beat to heck...
I would put 2 aftermarket ones on before i spent the $$ on a single oem.
A non jcw oem strut with lowering springs imo is kinda asking for one to blow again.
And stuts should ALWAYS be replaced in pairs unless one failed from "infant mortaility"...aka...a couple weeks old...

 

Would I be fine putting just a pair of konis on the front for now and doing the rears a few months down the road? or if I do 2 konis do I have to do them all??

Thanks for your help btw

 

I've never seen a strut leak that much oil that it could do that. Are you sure it's the strut and not the passenger side engine mount or something else?

If you want to save a couple of bucks, I'll be selling my Koni Sport (yellow adjustables) soon. ~25k miles on them.

 

Yep it actually turned out to be the strut. Took it off when I was putting my yellows on this week and it was dripping oil everywhere. The shaft could be compressed with my pinky and would not extend afterwards lol