I have an early e32 5speed and I replaced my struts with bilstien heavy duty the ride is real smooth. the job was straight foward I have done struts before, you do need a spring compressor, you can buy one for under 30.00 dollars. you basically remove the strut from the car then disassemble the strut on a table or somewhere then re-assemble putting in the new insert, then put it back on the car re installing the brakes and last of all the sway bar end link (do not tighten the sway bar bolt until the car is back on the ground