New front strut conversion

[Jona1971]

Hi,

I have a 318i and have bought a pair of front struts from a 325i with the larger diameter shock and better callipers/discs.

In the long run, I plan to do an engine conversion, but not for a while.

Do I need to replace the front springs for ones suitable for my lighter 318 engine or will these be OK?

I have recently done the rear disc conversion and my rear end is 30mm lower that the front. These front struts are lower and will sort that out, but I wonder if they will cause handling issues due to their higher spring rate.

Any ideas? Thanks,

[Brianmoooore]

All other things being equal, the car will sit higher on 325 springs than it will with the 318 ones, but BMW fit many different springs to each model, depending on exact spec. and market.
For instance, a front spring fitted to a 318i auto. with aircon, or for a manual intended for the Australian market, is the same as that on a UK 325 auto.

[Jona1971]

Thanks Brian,

My car is a 318i Auto, UK version, no air-con.

When I changed the rear trailing arms I fitted the springs from the donor car, a touring, and it now sits lower at the back. I could always revert the rear springs to the standard 318 ones to raise the rear end to balance the front if needed.

Will my lighter 318 handle OK at the front with the 325 springs, or will it skit about the surface as they struggle for grip?

Thanks again,

[Jona1971]

Thanks Brian,

My car is a 318i Auto, UK version, no air-con.

When I changed the rear trailing arms I fitted the springs from the donor car, a touring, and it now sits lower at the back. I could always revert the rear springs to the standard 318 ones to raise the rear end to balance the front if needed.

Will my lighter 318 handle OK at the front with the 325 springs, or will it skit about the surface as they struggle for grip?

Thanks again,

[Brianmoooore]

As I've shown above, the only thing that prevents the springs being the correct ones for your car is the lack of aircon, and I'm sure that the absence of the minimal extra weight of this isn't going to make your car dangerously unstable and prone to sliding off the road at the slightest provocation.
If anything, I'd me more concerned why a set of touring rear springs is making the car sit lower than with saloon springs.

[Jona1971]

Thanks Brian, I've re-read your reply and understand now.

The touring rear springs are a bit hard, I'll probably revert back to the 318 ones so the front and the rear of the car are the same height. I can always update them at a later date.