Strut sizes

Fri Jan 05, 2007 1:24 pm

Again, sorry for the stupid questions.

I have a 320i 2door, so assumed that it had the same suspension set-up as the 325i, being a 6pot and all.

Howeverm just looking on RealOEM, it lists both 45mm and 51mm struts like the 318i, where-as it's just eh 51mm for the 325i.

What's the deal? Do I just need to stop being lazy and go check?

Fri Jan 05, 2007 1:30 pm

Hmmm, I decided to go and get the vernier on the strut. 45mm apparently.... why is that? I understood it that the 320i was pretty much the same as the 325i, but I also understood it that you need the beefier struts when doing a 325i conversion on a 318i. So how can the 320i share 318i struts??

So say I got a 318i suspension kit, and then put the 2.5 lump in... that would work still surely? As everything is basically the same as it is now.

Fri Jan 05, 2007 1:32 pm

? why would you get a 318i suspension kit?

Fri Jan 05, 2007 1:33 pm

hello,im sure its only the touring 320,325 or the m-tec variants and 'is' models that have the 51mm struts, so yours would have the 45mm.i could be wrong though so a quick look under the front arches will tell you for sure

Fri Jan 05, 2007 1:59 pm

orangecurry wrote:? why would you get a 318i suspension kit?

I'm after 2nd hand stuff, and there's not much around at the minute, apart from things meant for the 318i.

So what suspension set up would I be needing? 320 specific? Would the 318i stuff not cope with the weight?

Fri Jan 05, 2007 3:08 pm

OK - so if we make some assumptions (as I haven't seen any of your other posts)
you already have an excellent bodywork 320 2-door, and a cheap low miles 2.5 engine (otherwise you should just buy a 325)

You are going to put the 2.5 engine in... why not leave the suspension alone? Otherwise it is going to end up costing you the same as buying a 325?

Fri Jan 05, 2007 6:02 pm

I have the very good 320, but wont be putting a 2.5 in just yet. The suspension is very important however, more-so than the engine is to me. I dont desperately want a 2.5, but I'm planning on going that way in the future.

So what do I need to look out for?? 45mm strut 320i suspension, or generic 45mm strut suspension commonly used on 318i? Gah.

Fri Jan 05, 2007 6:05 pm

Regardless of struts you need 6 pot springs mate as they are designed to take the weight of the engine you have and not the lighter 4 pot!

Fri Jan 05, 2007 6:14 pm

I getcha. So if I got a shock+spring set for a 4pot, I could just ditch the front springs in favour of something a bit beefier.

So then the question is.... are the oversized struts on the 325i really needed?

Fri Jan 05, 2007 8:17 pm

topi wrote:I getcha. So if I got a shock+spring set for a 4pot, I could just ditch the front springs in favour of something a bit beefier.

So then the question is.... are the oversized struts on the 325i really needed?

Yes mate as long as the shox are in decent condition its the springs that you will need to match with the car.