I have a spare set of OEM R53 front struts. Can I replace the 2007 R52's with my spare 2005 R53 struts or is there much difference between the two?

 

If the cars had the same suspension pack, they should be the same....the springs ARE different r53 to r52 RATE wise, but the struts for any given package should have been the same...

 

Looking at OEM part numbers, they are different but by the diagram, they both look the same.

 

OEM R53 and R52 struts have different damping because BMW is picky about tuning suspension exactly to the vehicle weight. However, the difference is very minor and for all practical purposes they are interchangeable. If you look at fitment guides for aftermarket struts, the same strut is used for R53 and R52.

 

Thanks. Going to give it a try and see how it works.