e30 m3 vs standard 325 strut tubes

[Colorlesss]

just the strut tubes themselves. are they the same ? obviously cant check real oem or anything similiar to check PN's

[White325is]

no, the spindle is different. But I know what your thinking, The bearings and hubs wont bolt up.

[hoveringuy]

I know the M3 struts are different because they share the e30's 6" diameter springs. Normal e36's have larger springs.

I have also heard that the '92 e36 struts are actually the same as the later M3 struts, but cheaper. True/False?

[Gooch]

Also, the e30 M3 strut housings have a removable tie rod knuckle that bolts to the bottom of the strut housing with four bolts. The regular e30 strut housings have the tie rod knuckle integrated as one piece with the strut housing.

But regardless, you can't take an e30 M3 hub and bolt it onto the e30 housing...the spindles are different and a larger nut holds the M3 hubs onto the spindle.

[Colorlesss]

you guys arent getting what im asking. i am asking about just the main tube, not the spindles. i know the m3 spindles are completely different.

if you had an e30 strut housing and an m3 housing .. and cut the spindles and all mounts off both .. would the tubes themselves be the same ?

[Gooch]

The e30 M3 has the sway bar tab on the tube while regular e30s do not. The sway bar tab can be easily purchased from AKG and welded on.

Diameter is the same as the late model tubes (51 mm IIRC). Length is the same.

[Colorlesss]

The e30 M3 has the sway bar tab on the tube while regular e30s do not. The sway bar tab can be easily purchased from AKG and welded on.

ya the AKG mount is what i had planned to do. but i need to know if the tubes are the same before i buy the parts

[Aptyp]

e30 struts fit inside of e30 m3 struts, that was his question