M3 Susp. on a 320i ?

Post Wed Apr 13, 2005 11:09 pm

Hi all.

Ive just had a browse through and searched about it but not really come up with anything conclusive. Could be just me though.

Ive been offered M3 shocks and springs (x4) for Ãƒ”šÃ‚£50 to clear it from a friends garage. The front shocks btw were a few months old before he changed to coils for his track racing.

What I wondered was that, will this fit on a '88 320i or not.
If it may go on, what else do I need?

and is there any chance someone could list the parts required, as ill ask him as he has loads more as he stripped his M3 and changed loads for racing.

many, many thanks

Tony

Post Wed Apr 13, 2005 11:14 pm

Springs and rear shocks fit right on but i was told that the front strut housing is differant on the M3 so the front shocks won't fit ?

Post Wed Apr 13, 2005 11:19 pm

is it also that the M3 and 325's have 51mm or something and the other e30's are 46mm. It's the strut thats it! So u might need some 325i struts?

Post Wed Apr 13, 2005 11:34 pm

ok, slightly lost now, lol.

Ill have four springs and four shocks from the M3. im right in thinking that the rears are a straight swap.

but what do you mean by the size difference? cannot i not use the m3 shocks, or am i getting confused here.

what do you mean by struts?

thanks ever so much

Tony

Post Sun Apr 17, 2005 11:20 am

just wondered if anyone has any more ifo on this pls

cheers

tony

Post Sun Apr 17, 2005 4:18 pm

No 1 is the front strut and No 2 is the shock absorber which fits inside the strut.

I think i read some where that the M3 front shock absorber doesn't fit in the non-M strut.

Post Mon Apr 18, 2005 9:34 pm

Sorry mate,i think i must have been talking out of my ass

http://www.e30zone.co.uk/modules.php?na ... 3256#63256

Post Mon Apr 18, 2005 9:52 pm

Hi - you'll definately need the bigger diameter struts to use the kit - I fitted spax set but bought 51mm shocks by mistake. Had to buy 46mm to fit my standard 320i struts.
Don't know if M3 struts are different to the standard 325i struts, which are 51mm.
PS anyone want some brand new spax gas shocks for 51mm struts? They are non-adjustable type

Post Mon Apr 18, 2005 9:53 pm

Hi - you'll definately need the bigger diameter struts to use the kit - I fitted spax set but bought 51mm shocks by mistake. Had to buy 46mm to fit my standard 320i struts.
Don't know if M3 struts are different to the standard 325i struts, which are 51mm.
PS anyone want some brand new spax gas shocks for 51mm struts? They are non-adjustable type

Post Tue Apr 19, 2005 11:07 am

hi all, thanks very much for the info.
I managed to get the gear off him anyway, well minus the rear shocks.

Ive just gone out and measured the diameter of the shocks, the middle is 45.5mm and the narrower part at the bottom is 44mm.
So im kinda guessing they will fit.?
I might just take mine apart and se how it goes, its not a bad job.

Now, as ive not got the rear shocks yet, is it stupid doing the front shocks and springs and only the rear springs. ?
and what would the ride be like?

and last Q, whats the ride like on a M3, stiff, firm.. as ive got no idea?

many, many thanks

Tony

Post Tue Apr 19, 2005 11:08 am

i wouldnt be running standard rear shocks with everything else uprated... the m3 springs will kill em pretty quick plus the rear end will be quite bouncy tbh

Post Tue Apr 19, 2005 11:10 am

wow, didnt think someone would reply that quick....

thanks very much for that, ill give the guy a call and see if I can grab the rears off him. cheers