Retrofitting M-tech suspension to my 320i touring

Post Mon Nov 20, 2006 1:16 pm

Right, what do I need to do?

Is it just a case of swapping over the dampers and springs from the rear, and the whole struts from the front?

thanks

Post Mon Nov 20, 2006 1:38 pm

I thought tourings were fitted with m-tech stuff as standard? Or is that just the 325 touring?

Post Mon Nov 20, 2006 1:43 pm

d6dph wrote:I thought tourings were fitted with m-tech stuff as standard? Or is that just the 325 touring?

thats what i thought too

Post Mon Nov 20, 2006 1:45 pm

dazleeds wrote:
d6dph wrote:I thought tourings were fitted with m-tech stuff as standard? Or is that just the 325 touring?
thats what i thought too

And thats what I thought three

my 320i touring handled a damn sight better than my 320i Saloon

Post Mon Nov 20, 2006 1:47 pm

dobbie82 wrote:
dazleeds wrote:
d6dph wrote:I thought tourings were fitted with m-tech stuff as standard? Or is that just the 325 touring?
thats what i thought too
And thats what I thought three

my 320i touring handled a damn sight better than my 320i Saloon

I dont think it did in my case- the better handling was probably down to having more weight over the rear-ie better weight distribution.

can someone enlighten me as to the process of actually swapping them?

Post Mon Nov 20, 2006 1:52 pm

If you do want to swap them then yes, complete front struts / rear shocks / rear springs.

Post Mon Nov 20, 2006 1:53 pm

Chris-W wrote:If you do want to swap them then yes, complete front struts / rear shocks / rear springs.

Thanks Chris

go get the ratchet warmed up then

Post Mon Nov 20, 2006 1:57 pm

Ratchet? Thought Scots used bare fingers for such small bolts!

Post Mon Nov 20, 2006 2:00 pm

Chris-W wrote:Ratchet? Thought Scots used bare fingers for such small bolts!

thats what the english are for- we dont do anything under 19mm

Post Mon Nov 20, 2006 2:20 pm

The front suspension arms are alloy instead of steel aren't they - that's a way of telling if its MTech or not...

Post Mon Nov 20, 2006 3:15 pm

I thought the tourings had up-rated suspension but that this wasn't the same as the M-tech parts on the Sports. I've been told this by a BMW mechanic too.

You would need to check part numbers here;

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/

I haven't got a Sport chassis number to hand to check unfortunately.

Post Mon Nov 20, 2006 3:33 pm

All tourings had 51mm front legs as standard, but the mtech suspension was not standard equipment.

The front suspension arms are alloy instead of steel aren't they - that's a way of telling if its MTech or not...

If you are refering to the front wishbones, then yes, they are available in steel or alloy, but the alloy ones were not standard, a very rare option I think.

Post Tue Nov 21, 2006 12:51 pm

There's a lot of confusion with M-tech suspension.

A lot of E30's came with M-tech shock absorbers from the factory, the touring being one of these models.

This would not have included the M-tech springs, a tick in the M-tech suspension box would have added these.

The only cars to leave the factory with the full M-tech suspension package was the 325i sport and motorsport.

Post Tue Nov 21, 2006 1:56 pm

Simon wrote:There's a lot of confusion with M-tech suspension.

A lot of E30's came with M-tech shock absorbers from the factory, the touring being one of these models.

This would not have included the M-tech springs, a tick in the M-tech suspension box would have added these.

The only cars to leave the factory with the full M-tech suspension package was the 325i sport and motorsport.

so even the iS just has mtech dampers?

Post Tue Nov 21, 2006 2:01 pm

No, should have added the is too!

Post Tue Nov 21, 2006 2:12 pm

Simon wrote:No, should have added the is too!

Phew

thought I was gonna be wasting effort!

so to recap

325i Sport (2dr saloon)
325i Motorsport (2dr Cab)
318iS (2door saloon) all left factory with m-tech dampers AND springs

Post Tue Nov 21, 2006 2:56 pm

Yep. And your iS in particular definitely has Mtech rear springs as when I got it it was on standard springs, so I put some on from a Sport.

Post Tue Nov 21, 2006 2:57 pm

Chris-W wrote:Yep. And your iS in particular definitely has Mtech rear springs as when I got it it was on standard springs, so I put some on from a Sport.

nice one, cheers chris! take it the front were mtech anyways?

Post Tue Nov 21, 2006 2:59 pm

I presume so - didn't look to be otherwise. I just happened to notice the rear wasn't sitting quite as it should have.

Post Tue Nov 21, 2006 3:01 pm

Chris-W wrote:I presume so - didn't look to be otherwise. I just happened to notice the rear wasn't sitting quite as it should have.

good work sir!

that'll be the touring sorted then