help installing Bilstein HD on my 03 352xi

Hi fanatics i havent posted on the forum for awhile now but i have been doing alot of reading on things i had questions about. I bought a set of Bilstein HD struts for the front but when i took off my front tire to change from my oem struts to the Bilsteins i thought something didnt look right. The Bilsteins dont have a spot for the springs to sit on. So i stopped and searched all over the internet and cant find install procedures for the Bilstein HD's into my e46 XI. Can anybody help point me in the right direction as my front oem's are shot. Any usefull help would be appreciated. Remember i have searched and couldnt find anything so please dont reply with "search noob".

are you saying there is no spring perch?

Yes that is correct. There is no spring perch for the springs to sit on. Do the oem shocks detach from the spring perch by any chance? Anybody know?

Originally Posted by eeleaj

Yes that is correct. There is no spring perch for the springs to sit on. Do the oem shocks detach from the spring perch by any chance? Anybody know?

Yes, you need to reuse the lower spring perch from the OEM struts.

Turn them upside down and hammer off gently.

Omg i feel like such a noob. Thanks for the quick replies it has helps me alot. It pays to be a fanatic most of the time . I hope this info helps any other fanatics trying to change to Bilstein HD struts lol. Thanks again to both of you that replied so quickly.

Omg did i put 352xi in the title, i meant 325xi. Thanks again for the help

Bilstein's false economy or green packaging really raises questions with me. Other manufacturers like Koni provide a new chrome plated perch for hassle free install out of the box....one of the reasons I went Koni Yellows.

wow i didnt know that blistien didnt come without the perch. im a lil surprised.

yea. i had to reuse mine when i switched to sports.

I am so glad someone approached this topic..yesterday I was researching afor new struts when my W2 comes in..I chose bilsteing from Turner motorsport...I thought about the same thing!!! I knew that the spring encompasses the strut...( strut goes through it)..THERE IS NEVER A STUPID QUESTION!! the only stupid thing are questions never asked!!!

Wait a minute ..I went to UUC yesterday my bad.......turner motorsport has them with the perch on there...WTH?

everybody should order bilstein from bav auto as even turner cant match the price. look for 10% off from bav auto on them.

Ok BAVAUTO is awesome but whats there price? TURNER MOTORSPORT has all four for $432...10% discount for select personnel. Pelican has Bilsteins but not as cheap as Turner...they sell then seperately too

i picked up the fronts for 122 and the rears for 72. something like 388 for all four before shipping.

i went to BAVAUTO ..i wil cal lthem today. Do you like the way they feel in your car? ...did it drop it any?...I do not want a drop in my suspension...just a firmer eride. The streets here in New Orleans are HORRIBLE! I want a nice upgrade that wil ride better than stock and not drop the car...