E30 Zone

Hi,

Sorry if this is in the wrong section.

Can anybody tell me the differences in suspension between the 318i and 318iS?

I have an iS and have been looking on Eurocarparts. For a start they list the dampers as the same part number.

Is this the case? I presumed it had different damper rates.

Thank for any help!

The 318is has 51mm front strut. Springs aare 15mm lower than the 318i

the 318i has 45mm front struts.

Thanks.

This is going to sound really silly but when you say strut do you mean the damper (shock absorber) ?

45mm

Strut is that leg that the shock and spring are inside.

318is has rear anti roll bar

So the mounting is slightly different, but the shock is the same part, spring 15mm lower?

If you need front shock absorbers/danpers, then make sure you buy the ones that fit into a 51mm front strut.

In diagram below 1 is the strut/leg. 2 is the shock. 2 goes into 1
http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E30/T ... _absorber/

Finished look is below

I'm sure the shock is M-tech.

Is a 4 pot mtech jobby yes

Right, I'm 90% with you now

So the damper being the same part number for each has to be wrong?

e30318ilover wrote:45mm

Off topic but what the hell is your sig pic all about, thats left me disturbed!!

djones wrote:Right, I'm 90% with you now

So the damper being the same part number for each has to be wrong?

Yes.

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/BMW_3 ... 194b5&SHKA

Thats what you need. Make sure is you use the ECP site check the parts are for the 16v 1796cc M42B18

Brilliant, thank you!!

Over the next few months people are going to get so sick of my random questions haha

Is a BMW dealer the only place to get them for the iS then?

pac1982 wrote:

e30318ilover wrote:45mm

Off topic but what the hell is your sig pic all about, thats left me disturbed!!

I really dont know it makes me giggle everytime i see it

djones wrote:Brilliant, thank you!!

Over the next few months people are going to get so sick of my random questions haha

Is a BMW dealer the only place to get them for the iS then?

Nope the link I gave you fot ECP are the rear shockers for the 318is. Front ones are there.
http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/BMW_3 ... ddad4&SHKA

ah, but thats the same part number as this, which is presumably the 'normal' 318i

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/BMW_3 ... c35e6&SHKA


edit...

Unless the same suspension was some how an option on the 318i? They do seem to also list a cheaper one (same brand) for the 318i as well.

Me thinks ECP got something wrong there.

Its the same for the springs, they are all the same part number

Thats an issue for ECP though. The bit I needed to know has been answered and thats brilliant as I'd have ended up with the worng parts!

Are the rears dampers/springs different as well I presume?

Rear springs are 15mm lower front and back.
Shockers will be Mtech ones on the 318is not on the 318i

What are you needing to replace?

I've just bought the car and have a bit of an OCD thing, so over the next few months will probably be replacing all the suspension including bushes.

I bought it as my daily driver as I have a concours 1998 Integra living in my garage which has pretty much everythign brand new on it (its only done 43k as well).

The idea was to just run the BMW and maintain it, but I've accidentaly stumbled across a really nice one. It needs a good polish etc but its going to be mint afterwards and I'm now looking at making this the same

The sad face is its going to end up costing me a fortune!

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/index.php/318iS
Read it if you have any questions ask frank

the is uses m-tech springs and 51mm m-tech shocks/dampers

e30318ilover wrote:

pac1982 wrote:

e30318ilover wrote:45mm

Off topic but what the hell is your sig pic all about, thats left me disturbed!!

I really dont know it makes me giggle everytime i see it

Sorry but it is really disturbing. Looks like some kind of screwed up rape sceen.

Felix79 wrote:

e30318ilover wrote:

pac1982 wrote: Off topic but what the hell is your sig pic all about, thats left me disturbed!!

I really dont know it makes me giggle everytime i see it

Sorry but it is really disturbing. Looks like some kind of screwed up rape sceen.

The monster thing is just so funny

Thanks for that link it has some really useful info.

It mentions the suspension and also the 325i.... Reading between the lines does this mean the iS is the same as the 325i in terms of dampers/springs?

djones wrote:Thanks for that link it has some really useful info.

It mentions the suspension and also the 325i.... Reading between the lines does this mean the iS is the same as the 325i in terms of dampers/springs?

Springs should be different.

djones wrote:Thanks for that link it has some really useful info.

It mentions the suspension and also the 325i.... Reading between the lines does this mean the iS is the same as the 325i in terms of dampers/springs?

same as a 325isport
only the front springs are for a 6 pot on the sport.

Where do you guys usually get your parts like this?

I have a feeling ECP and GSF are just going to get this all wrong!

I'm already a bit confused myself what with all the combinations. Just found an online diagram and that mentions a second damper on the front

Dealership is the only place i use except off other people for original parts

just buy 4 pot eihbach [spelling?]-35/40mm springs with boge turbo dampers get 51mm fronts.

Would all four e30is springs, be able to replace 318i springs as a straight swap?

yes.

By now i wouldn't be surprised if your springs are saggy enough to set your cat at IS stance