I've got a set of Koni FSDs from Way waiting for me to install them when the weather is decent. My Clubman S has 77k on it. The original shocks are shot, of course, and making noisier than usual winter-creaky-noises.

Should I be replacing any other components while I'm int here doing the shocks, such as shock mounts, bump stops, spring pads, dust boots, etc? Bavarian Autosport sells MINI shock install kits with all these parts (except for the mounts, which are sold separately). Is that a needful thing, or just an easy way for them to make a few bucks on the side of each suspension upgrade they sell?

I notice Way sells some but not most that, which makes me suspect they're not actually all that important, except maybe the mounts.

Thoughts? Should I drop the dough on new front & rear strut/shock mounts? Help a n00b out? Thank you!

 

I changed the upper strut mounts to get more camber in front, but reused all of the other parts. Chances are all of your parts will be fine. Be careful when reinstalling the lower shock bolt, they can strip.

Are you changing the RSB while you are back there?

Have fun,
Mike

 

Thanks for the feedback and tip! I guess if I get in there and the parts are in bad shape I can deal with it then. Thanks for the tip on the lower bolt; sounds like it must thread into aluminum.

I upgraded the rear sway bar as my very first non-cosmetic mod. Really amazing how much it transformed the handling! The bang for the buck is just astonishing.

 

You should be fine with just doing the front mounts. I would probably also recommend the rear mount bushings. They're only made of foam so I'm sure by now they're shot. You can do Powerflex bushings, but you'd probably do just fine with OEM replacement.

 

I did the bumpstops and spring pads as well as the front strut mount and the
rear strut mount bushings, but mine were done with 12 years on the original
parts and some bumpstops were cracked and all the mounts were in need of
replacement. The spring pads were ok, but a little old and hard, and I replaced
them anyway.

 

What's the visual cue that the front mount needs replacement?

 

Left front one (original one) had a big crack in the rubber near the center about 1/3
of the way around.
Right front one had been squeaking in cold weather pretty much ever since it was
replaced a few years ago (original was cracked as above at time of replacement).
Both were pushed up (toward the hood) a little compared to a new part.

 

Also see this thread for a warning

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ut-mounts.html

 

I used the Lemforder brand ones. They're supposed to be essentially the same part
as the MINI brand one except for perhaps some markings. I can't definitively identify
the brand of the squeaky one a shop put in few years ago, but it was different than
the oem one.
No squeak with the new ones and I expect them to hold up as well as the original ones.

 

+1 For Lemforder! I just got these

 

We love selling parts, but unless they are worn out like falling apart I wouldn't bother. Save your money for other mods.

 

Koni fsd on sale here for 600 delivered.
http://www.tunersports.com/koni-fsd-...99_p25205.html

I replaced the strut mounts with these http://www.rmeuropean.com/Part-Numbe...y7P7snrjg.aspx

The strut mounts were the exact same as what came off the car. Exact same part number molded into the rubber except the bmw logo was ground off. I also ordered the front bump stops and dust boots from rmeuropean.

My car had 110k miles and rear shocks were shot, the front struts and strut mounts were still in decent shape but with all the labor I had to do I just went with new on the rubber bits.
Nice smooth controlled ride with the new Koni's and no more rocking up and down in the back.

 

FSDs for $541.01 shipped from MotoringWerks.com just FYI.

 

Glad that your initial impressions are positive. Post up after a few thousand miles and let us know if you would do it again the same way. This is useful info for other people thinking about doing this type of update.

Have Fun,
Mike

 

I checked them last week when shopping and they were slightly more for the gen 2 fsd shocks after shipping.

 

This is why I love WMW. thanks Way.

Today when swapping on my summer wheels I discovered just how worn my rear rotors are... Off to waymotorworks.com I go...