Considering the group buy for the Bilsteins but wonder if you really need to swap the top mounts as well? How would I know?

Well depends upon the state of them. Mine were terrible after 120k miles and so i repalced the bearings and mounts. Car felt like new.

Well, have nothing to compare with really. But I've got about 70 000 miles on mine, no noise from or slack in the suspension that I know of. And it's been running with the standard LE wheels with standards springs/suspension and not done any track time. Swapping my tires this spring I realized one of the tires where original to the car and the rest from 2003. So I assume it hasn´t taken much abuse at all.

Is there a way of checking the condition of the bearings/mounts?

Change them!

Not until you have them removed. I would change the mounts as a matter of course. The bearings may be good and just require cleaning and re-greasing. You will soon be able to tell whne you have the struts out.

Here is what mine were like. The bearing surface was well brinelled and the rubber mount was shot.

Did a bit of thinking and I believe I'll have the top mounts swapped as well. Found out I can get them in Sweden at my local store for around £55 for pair so in case I don't need them, I could return them as well.

They are very easy to change once the front struts are off.

If you are swapping the dampers and keeping the springs then you'll be removing them anyway. For £55 you may as well change them. Sods law says if you don't they'll start to creak a few thousand miles later, only for you to have to remove the whole strut again.

Make sure you replace the bearings as well as the top mounts

£55 for the pair sounds very good. Was that for the top mount and coil bearing?

It was actually for the coil bearings themselves. But not the actual top mount plates. (I think it´s actually these: http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/F...7afe14dca7c6434ac42f8d5f5f7c46b&MTGK)

Why is it that you need to swap both the mounts and the bearings?

It's because the rubber the top mount plates will be at least 10 years old and highly likely to be perished.

Ok, cheers! Ordered these with the Billies now.

Mine were 10years and like new.. No big cost though.

I called Roger asking about the top mounts and bearing and if GENRALLY they need replacing when he changes the shock? He said most of the time they do.

If Rog recommends they'll probably need changing then, for £110, I'm going to have them with me when he fits the shocks. If they don't need changing then they'll go in the parts forum. Best to be ready for a change though.