Question about Bilstein Sports shocks

[royalflush313]

Do 325/318/M3 all share the exact same Bilstein Sport shocks?

I can only find 1 part number for the E30s. I always thought that there would be slight differences in them?

[hamann318is]

The early 318 had a different size strut. Other than that, the shocks are the same for the cars.

[royalflush313]

excellent, I didn't know that! I guess I'll be keeping my Bilsteins then :D

[Bavarian3]

Early 318 and 325s had smaller struts....

[royalflush313]

Early 318 and 325s had smaller struts....

but the part#s for 318is, late 325s, and M3 are the same right? Interchangeable?

[Jonathan M3]

Early 318 and 325s had smaller struts....

but the part#s for 318is, late 325s, and M3 are the same right? Interchangeable?

Correct.

[royalflush313]

Early 318 and 325s had smaller struts....

but the part#s for 318is, late 325s, and M3 are the same right? Interchangeable?

Correct.

Thanks 8)

For some reason, I thought that they were different so I was gonna sell my Bilsteins :?

[evorallyracer]

i was wondering if u put the 318 HD bilstiens on a 325 even though they are smaller will it still work for the 325 or will it cause problems?
thanks

[Marvin_Hecht]

evorallyracer,

You can switch 318i Bilsteins with early 325(e)s 84/85 (maybe some early 86's) because they are both the smaller kind (46 mm strut housing). But you can't use those thinner ones in a 318is or 325i or 325is or M3 because the strut tubes themselves are bigger diameter (I think 51 or 52 mm) so the shock insert would rattle around inside (not good).If you do have a 325 (e) it is best to actually measure your strut diameter to see what you have just to be sure. For example, my car has the bigger strut tubes.

[Rocla]

The same sport bilsteins can be used in both 45mm and 51mm strut, the mounting nut is only difference. 45mm strut has outernal thread and 51mm has internal.

I believe that bilsteins are the only front shocks that are interchangaable between small and big strut.

In europe 323i, 324td, 325i(all years),325e(all years) and 318is had the bigger strut.

316, 316i, 318i, 320i, 324d had the small one.

All cars with ABS had big struts.

All late models(like 89->) with sport suspension(actualy called m-suspension in here) had big struts.

These facts apply to Finland spec e30's.