Is this expense really necessary?

Hi Folks. My '99 328i (98,000 miles) was taken in because of a check engine light. The problem seems to be a bad electrical connection to a pump located/accessed underneath the car slightly forward of the gas tank. Now I'm told that this pump (which has an "active charcoal filter") is sticking/intermittent, and needs to be replaced. Cost of part = $750+. Question: do I really need this %&$^#^ thing? Also, the front struts show a modest 1/2 inch deep darkening of the dust/grease etc around the lower seal. I'm told the darkening means that they're leaking and need to be replaced ... for an additional $1000 (and that's with aftermarket struts, not the original Bilsteins/this car has the "M-class" uprated suspension). Comment?