I had over 178K miles on my 2000 M when I sold it. Still the original struts (front and back). Now some bushing could have been replaced but the bounce test was just fine.
I would guess that your front struts probably don't need replaced either.
Take a look at this article called
Shock Absorber and Strut Diagnosis. It has some good information in determining strut replacement.
Actually, I feel this is a very good article and that all members here should give it a read. It might even make for a good sticky in the correct forum?
Here's one quote from that page.
Quote:
For this reason, the Motorist Assurance Program (MAP) has taken a conservative approach on the issue of replacing shocks and struts. The MAP Uniform Inspections Guidelines say shock and strut replacement should not depend on a vehicle's mileage or whether the shock absorbers or struts failed a bounce test. The guidelines say replacement is required only if a shock or strut piston rod is bent or damaged, if it has broken, damaged or missing mounting hardware, is binding or seized, is severely corroded to the point where it is weakened (struts only), is missing, or has oil "running down the body."
On the flip side...
Quote:
Tests carried out by the Cologne Institute for Traffic Safety in Switzerland found that marginal shocks (50 percent less dampening ability than new shocks) increased the distance it took to stop the vehicle by 21 feet at 31 mph, a 23 percent increase! This occurred because the worn shocks allowed the wheels to hop rather than maintain good contact with the road surface. In other tests, they found that braking while cornering on slick roads with worn shocks could make a vehicle lose control.
