Z3 rear shocks?

[Shaun K]

I'm collecting parts for my 5-lug swap, but no matter how much I've searched here I can't tell if Z3 rear shocks are the same as E30. I know the Z3 rear trailing arms, etc will bolt up, but what about the shocks?

The reason I ask is that places like TC Kline sell Koni kits for the Z3 with external damping adjustment. Since the Z3 uses standard E36 style front struts, this kit would be perfect for an E30 with a 5-lug swap. You can get externally adjustable shocks all around without the cost of GC/AST coilover kits, which for my daily driver purposes would just be overkill.

So what's the verdict? Z3 rear shocks are the same as E30, or no?

[jahnaboi]

They will work but I believe the mcoupe stuff are more beefier.

[M-technik-3]

M coupe used stiff springs the shocks did not seem all that stiffer than a set of New Bilstein Sport or HD's.

[Mossman]

I put low miles e30 and low miles m coupe rear bilsteins next to each other once. Bodies a little thicker on the Mcoupe ones, but no interference with axle boot. Exact same length. M coupe noticably stiffer when leaning on them to compress, but obviously I don't have numbers. I'd guess 30-50% stiffer though. Again these are used shocks so it's about the least scientific study ever but they were both low miles, good shape, no leaking, fast rebound, etc.

[phreshkid]

I'm running m coupe bilstein sports paired with 650lb GC coils and from what I've researched, the shocks are dampened for the spring rate I'm running. Sure as hell beats rear e30 bilstein sports for my spring rate at least.