Why are 318 cabriolet lowering springs only for years 82-91

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kangman
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Wed May 30, 2012 6:43 pm

what about my baby its a 1993 318i cab, will these springs fit?? do i need special springs or e36 ones? :?
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Brianmoooore
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Wed May 30, 2012 6:50 pm

Nothing relevant changed on the car between '91 and '93. I've no idea why they're advertised as 82 - 91, but if they fit cars of this age, they will fit yours as well.
kangman
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Wed May 30, 2012 6:55 pm

Maybe be a sillys ques but are my struts 45 or 51mm, if i have to measure it myself to find out what exactly am i measuring..

:mad: im new to all this e30 malarkey so please forgive me
mrLEE30
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Wed May 30, 2012 7:08 pm

They did not even make cabs until about 1996/7!
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mrLEE30
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Wed May 30, 2012 7:10 pm

Yours will likely be 45, and it is the diameter of the lower part of the shock that runs from the spring seat to the stub axle. Use a ruler and measure its "width"
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daimlerman
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Wed May 30, 2012 7:19 pm

mrLEE30 wrote:They did not even make cabs until about 1996/7!
Really?

Mine's a '91!
Tom_Maverick
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Wed May 30, 2012 7:25 pm

daimlerman wrote:
mrLEE30 wrote:They did not even make cabs until about 1996/7!
Really?

Mine's a '91!
86/87
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Brianmoooore
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Wed May 30, 2012 7:31 pm

A few wires getting crossed here, I think!
I presume we're talking about a late E30 cab. here, although these weren't made 'til '85.
AFAIK, all cabs. had 51mm front struts, but this isn't relevant to the springs, anyway.
Are you sure you aren't being quoted for saloon springs?
Alex
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Wed May 30, 2012 8:31 pm

Most company's think all e30s stopped being produced in 1991 and cabs being in production from the start
Barx325i
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Wed May 30, 2012 8:36 pm

AFAIK, all cabs are 51mm as Brian says, I'm guessing with the exception of baur conversions, which could be easily construed as cabs in retailers eyes.. Either way you want 51's
kangman
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Wed May 30, 2012 9:10 pm

cheers guys this has helped me out big time, the reason why i asked about my strut size is because when i was test fitting me wheels, i had to jack the front up alot so the front wheel was lifted just enough for me to take the wheel off and on. as if it was sagging im assuming that the strut is on its last leg
Ziggy
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Wed May 30, 2012 9:11 pm

Alex wrote:Most company's think all e30s stopped being produced in 1991 and cabs being in production from the start
This. & 51mm.
E30 in need of wiring loom smoke since April '11...
Barx325i
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Wed May 30, 2012 9:17 pm

kangman wrote:cheers guys this has helped me out big time, the reason why i asked about my strut size is because when i was test fitting me wheels, i had to jack the front up alot so the front wheel was lifted just enough for me to take the wheel off and on. as if it was sagging im assuming that the strut is on its last leg
the strut will only sag as much as the damper insert will allow, and what you describe is pretty normal by the sounds, don't panic
mrLEE30
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Thu May 31, 2012 4:25 am

Well spotted Malc! 86/87 or 1985 as it turns out (same time they launched the 325 IIRC)

My 1992 320 cab i was surprised to find had 45mm struts, but it was Jap spec so perhaps different there. Perhaps the 51mm rule is only true for tourings?
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