Bilstein inserts 45mm vs 51mm

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burmaShave
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Thu Apr 22, 2021 2:57 pm

I have just had a call from my garage to say that the struts I asked them to fit...don’t. There is play around the locking nut.

I have done a search and realise that there are 45mm and 51mm front strut diameters. I bought 45mm inserts I am guessing I should have got 51. Dammit.

How do I know which diameter my car should have? Is it a year thing? I have an 89 325i touring.

TIA
Cloggy Saint
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Thu Apr 22, 2021 3:47 pm

As far as I remember all 6 cylinder cars and tourings have 51mm inserts and the rest have 45mm. Could be wrong though!
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burmaShave
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Thu Apr 22, 2021 4:23 pm

Thanks. That would make sense. The vendors must have listed in error, they are sending me 51s so that is all good.

Now for a few days of Toyota corolla courtesy car hell 😬
wilma84
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Tue Apr 19, 2022 7:15 pm

Cloggy Saint wrote:
Thu Apr 22, 2021 3:47 pm
As far as I remember all 6 cylinder cars and tourings have 51mm inserts and the rest have 45mm. Could be wrong though!
Does anyone know if this is definitely true? Just looking into new suspension for my 320i and wondering if it has 51mm inserts? I'll measure them to be sure but still interested now...
tha881
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Tue Apr 19, 2022 7:26 pm

320i came with 45mm. Unless it was a touring, cabriolet, or optioned with m-technic, in those cases it would have 51mm
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wilma84
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Tue Apr 19, 2022 8:20 pm

tha881 wrote:
Tue Apr 19, 2022 7:26 pm
320i came with 45mm. Unless it was a touring, cabriolet, or optioned with m-technic, in those cases it would have 51mm
Very helpful, thank you...
Corasdad
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Mon May 30, 2022 10:46 am

would would a 1990 facelift 1.8 auto come with please
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flybynite
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Mon May 30, 2022 11:17 am

Corasdad wrote:
Mon May 30, 2022 10:46 am
would would a 1990 facelift 1.8 auto come with please
As above, makes a difference if it is a touring or cab. If none of the above then most likely 45mm.

Any doubt then just measure them, Wiki here even does the maths for you :thumb:

https://www.e30zone.net/e30wiki/index.p ... Suspension
Corasdad
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Tue May 31, 2022 10:30 am

its a 4 door saloon
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