The drivers side sits one inch lower in the front than the passengers' and the shocks look like they are mounted differently on both sides. And in the back it's the opposite...drivers side is one inch higher than passangers. Take a look at the bolt location and where the arrow is pointing. You can clearly see where drivers side bolts use to be. Pictures are from the front. It looks like the drivers side shock was shifted outwards. The car had alignment done recently at BMW. I have no idea what it was prior to that. Something isn't right?!


Drivers side



Passengers

 

Humm interesting first pic... that doesnt look very promising...

BUT regarding the drivers side being 1" lower... that is normal.

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=38202

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=29446

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=43693

 

passenger's side should be lower,not drivers...so i dont know if it's normal...

 

it is normal for passenger side to be lower according to the threads. driver's side shouldnt be equal or lower.

 

Something clearly looks wrong -- I'm no expert but it looks as if the centering pin is missing from the first photo (where you have the red arrow).

Take a look at the following .pdf for some information about the components of the spring strut shock absorber assembly:
RA__Layout_of_spring_strut_shock_absorber.pdf

 

Yep, as said by Rudy, on your car, the mounting of the left one (driver side) is not correct. The centering pin has to be visible on both side.
Just to confirm...



Etienne

 

Ops I dont know what I was smoking when I typed that... even the links confirms passenger side hahah