so anyone know how difficult it is to change the struts on an 88 528e?

It's not hard, but there are a lot of steps, and you will need a spring compressor. I'd suggest a Bentley manual too if you don't have one already. The steps are all laid out and it lists the torque specs to put it all back together too.

just picked up the Harbor Freight spring compressor for under $30
worked pretty well.

thanks guys!
hope to get to this soon