stupid suspension questions about a 325e

[a2e30]

So this might be a lame and or stupid question, but I just picked up an e30 '86 325e needs some work. But literally got it because it was an (e) and not an (i or is or ix) I have rebuilt 3 other e30's and haven't seen a 325e yet so I thought it'd be cool to have one. But I am a bit lost as to the suspension on the front, whats the difference in suspension shock absorbers to be exact between a 325i or is and a 325e if any? because Pelican Parts seems to think that they are different but they all look the same to me, the only thing that I could think of would be ride stiffness related, and that doesn't matter to me anyway seeing as I lower and race almost every car I buy. Could someone help me out, or tell me that there is infact no difference between suspension (shock absorber tubes). Thanks-- J.

[FLG]

Yeah, you might have the smaller 45mm strut housings. These can be changed to the larger and more common late style 51mm housings. A quick measurement with a set of calipers will give you your answer.

Great quick easy measurement pictures in this thread few posts down

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=259694

[E30_Pare]

e should be 51mm. Only ix and early 318i (m10) got the 45mm housings

[TobyB]

There isn't any difference...

t

[NoSnowJustIce]

No difference.

[FLG]

I'd check regardless. Who knows what might have been swapped over the past 20+ years. It's 5 min to save you a possible headache.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2

[Roysneon]

e should be 51mm. Only ix and early 318i (m10) got the 45mm housings

No, iX inserts are same diameter as all late models, I or is. The very early 325e's and early model m10 318s had the smaller struts.

[B Randon]

No, iX inserts are same diameter as all late models, I or is. The very early 325e's and early model m10 318s had the smaller struts.

that's right 86 and down all had the 45, 87 an up 51

[a2e30]

im not trying to stance the car, just replace the shocks, the way the car rides feels like they are the originals. Thanks for the input, I'll go measure them today. But as most of you are saying there is only a noticeable difference between my buddies ix and my car, but the other 325 e30s are very so long as they have the m20. Thanks for all the feed back, Cheers -- J.

[reelizmpro]

that's right 86 and down all had the 45, 87 an up 51

84-85 325e came with 51mm struts from the factory. That was my first car since new. It was only the 84-85 318i and some base model 86-87 325 (no e or i) that came with 45mm according to the Bentley.

[TG Goose]

My 01/1986 325 had 51mm housings

Posted via MotoX

[Gertech]

My 02/1986 325e has 51mm housings

[F34R]

that's right 86 and down all had the 45, 87 an up 51

Wrong, I had 51 on both my 86 models.

[efficient]

My 86 has the 51mm if you can wrap a dollar around the strut and overlap the dollar you have the smaller diameter struts but if the dollar doesn't overlap then you have the 51 mm struts
btw is breaking the collar nut for the strut cartridge a pain in the ass? Going to attempt it tomorrow to replace my old shock cartridges.