316i front strut housing issues

[Rousey66]

Now I've recently made the decision to lower my car and had a good look into the whole thing. What I discovered (correct me if I'm wrong) is that the front strut housing is a smaller diameter (and consequently the damper within the housing) on 316i and 318i models up to '88 than the rest of the models and the 316i & 318i made after '88.

Why then when I've gone to fit the newly ordered items onto my '90 316i will they not fit inside the strut housing? I purchased them from a reputable seller on ebay that listed them as being 316i compatible after '88 and even the compatibility checker on the store confirmed suitability.

Have I somehow ended up with the older model front struts on my newer model? Has anyone heard of this before? Is it at all possible someone's replaced worn old struts with the wrong year struts? I'm at a total loss as to what's happened because I've now got a useless set of struts & springs that the seller is being an a***e about.

Apparently by putting at the bottom of the page that some late model 316i and 318i cars where fitted with aftermarket smaller struts from the factory (truthful or get-out clause?) he's voided himself of all responsibility now I've bought them and he'll only do a refund if I return them to him in immaculate condition, which they weren't when they came out the box but I can't prove that can i?

Unfortunately what's happened has happened, there was no way I'd have known about this. I bought them on the firm belief they were correct and I was wrong. Spilt milk and all that. I'd just like to know what's occurred really. How come I've ended up with smaller strut housings on a model that should as far as I know have had the 51mm struts.

[Rousey66]

Just as an afterthought. If anyone does have a pair of the hubs with bigger strut housings then I may be interested in buying them.

[jmc330i]

Unless your 316i is a touring, it would have 45mm struts as standard.
316i/318i saloons all have 45mm struts, regardless of pre or post '88.

It's possible the online compatibility checker is looking at the touring model and not saloon.

[Rousey66]

Really? I read somewhere that they were the bigger ones after '88!

[Rousey66]

Am I going to get a slap on the wrists if I post the link to the items on here? Because the guy is selling 51mm struts under the pretense that they're suitable on the 316i and 318i.

Surely if those models were never compatible with the 51mm struts then he's sold them under false pretenses and I can claim my money back?

[jmc330i]

Unfortunately, wherever you read that was wrong

The 51mm struts were only standard on the 323i, 325i saloons and all touring and cabs. All other saloons (including the 6 pot 320i) had 45mm struts regardless of age.

[jmc330i]

Post up the link, someone may be able to shed some light.


The 51mm inserts will be compatible with a 316i/318i touring, but not a saloon. If he has listed them for a 316i/318i saloon, he is wrong.

[Rousey66]

I'm on my phone so the link may not work:

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/351108305776?cmd=VIDESC

The add clearly states they are for a saloon and the third bulletpoint down in the suitability section states

"E 30 316 / 316i / 318i From November 1988 on
-40mm to -80mm front -40mm to -65mm rear on models made Made from November 1988 to January 1991"

[jmc330i]

Be aware that there were some aftermarket front struts sold complete with the smaller housings that have found theyre way on to later models.

Well that's a load of sh1t.

If he isn't being helpful, get on to ebay as they definitely won't fit a standard 316i saloon of any age.

[Rousey66]

Nice one buddy. Think I'll have a chat with ebay, try and get a refund through them and possibly keep the lot then buy some bigger strut housings.

[jmc330i]

I wouldn't possibly suggest asking for a refund and keeping the items, but returned items do get 'lost' in the post...

[Rousey66]

Well he's got a PayPal refund application just gone through because he's stopped replying! I'll be having my money back cheers haha