Getting ready to replace the front struts on my 75K mile 128i convertible. A few questions.
1. Some of the YouTube videos show much disassembly (remove brakes, remove tie rod end) to get the struts out, some show just push the whole strut down after loosening the suspension arm bolts, tilt it out from under the fender, and yank the thing out of the steering knuckle from there. My car has never, not once, ever seen salt so I doubt anything will put up much fight. The couple that show minimal disassembly are on on e9x's - same parts - but is the geometry such that it will work on an e88 too? Less work is always nice...
2. Should I just suck it up and replace the suspension arms while I have it apart and in the air? Soon to be 16 years of blazing TX/FL heat, but only 75K. If so, is Lemforder still the go-to for reasonably priced replacements? Seems to be lots of argument on the Interwebs as to what's best these days (consensus is NOT URO though). OEM BMW is a bit silly-priced for a car that lives on smooth roads and does <5K a year. Those BMW boxes must have a solid gold lining these days.
3. Assuming minimal disassembly - is an alignment really necessary? IIRC the only adjustment out of the box is toe, and the car tracks like a train with even tire wear. I'll be sure to put the strut bearing nuts back where they came from for the little bit they can move in their holes.
Many thanks - done this on lots of cars including e30/e28 BMWs, but first time on this platform.