M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => Suspension => Topic started by: BlueBMW on January 20, 2010, 05:33:42 PM

Title: KYB shocks
Post by: BlueBMW on January 20, 2010, 05:33:42 PM

Like many other E30 owners, my shocks / struts are shot!   They might even be original, and 200K plus miles makes even the smallest pothole feel like an earthquake.  So... I found these on ebay and I am curious if anyone has used these and can recommend a yay or nay on them.  I'm sticking with stock springs for the moment.  I'm looking for cheap, but I don't really want junk either.  I know the age old saying is you get what you pay for... but sometimes you get lucky!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120520669254

Title: KYB shocks
Post by: DesktopDave on January 20, 2010, 08:18:43 PM

I used KYB GR2 struts on an old minivan of mine.  Worked very well for the price, nice improvement over the 100K stock dampers.  Far superior to anything in their price range, like Gabriels, but what isn't?  They were a bit harsh, but I like having a sporty minivan.  I hear the AGXs are also nice, but they're up near Koni price territory, no deal for me.

I was considering myself them before I happened on a used set of MTech Bilstein Sports.

I also rode them on an old Honda Nighthawk S, far superior to the Showa units that Honda usually specifies.

Title: KYB shocks
Post by: BlueBMW on January 20, 2010, 09:03:04 PM

I suppose they're worth a shot.  Anythings gotta be better than what I've got now.  Thanks for the input!

Title: KYB shocks
Post by: RED IS 91 on January 21, 2010, 05:15:31 PM

I put gr2's on my audi and the mercedes I had and they did the job. Be careful when you buy for the 318 IS as the front struts are a different size.It appears that the ones in your link won't fit an e30 IS .

Title: KYB shocks
Post by: DesktopDave on January 21, 2010, 05:39:32 PM

Oh yeah...forgot about that.  The 318i has the wider housings, 51mm instead of the 45mm strut housings of some earlier e30s.  For that matter, the 325ix struts are different as well.

I was looking for a chart, but there is a lot of contradictory info out there.  I'd measure to double-check anyway, as it's easy enough to swap the struts between cars too.

Title: KYB shocks
Post by: BlueBMW on January 21, 2010, 07:56:36 PM

Ahh good catch!  So original 91 318is struts should be 51mm unless someone changed the whole strut assembly out at some point correct?

Title: KYB shocks
Post by: RED IS 91 on January 22, 2010, 07:59:07 AM

I installed Bilstein Touring Class on my car and am very happy with them.They are supposed to be a little stiffer than original but not as stiff as sports. New England roads are too harsh for stiff supension.IMHO
I believe OEM were sachs .
I got mine from BMA but make sure you get the right 51 MM for the front as they sent me the wrong ones(they sent the 45MM) and I had to wait for the replacements.
There is a code (m42club)for a discount.I am sure someone will chime in with the contact at BMA (Daryl?).(Duane?)

http://www.bmaparts.com/ShopByVehicle.epc?q=1991-BMW-318is--/--L4--1796cc--1.8l--Gas--Fi--x--8--m4--x--9-Front--End--/--Suspension--Steering&yearid=1991%40%401991&makeid=BMW%40%40BMW%40%40X&engineid=1011373%40%40318IS++%2F+L4-1796cc+1.8L+GAS+FI++%28M42%29%40%40318IS&catid=Front+End+%2F+Suspension+%26+Steering%40%40Front+End+%2F+Suspension+%26+Steering&subcatid=Front+Strut+Insert@@Front+Strut+Insert&mode=PA

Title: KYB shocks
Post by: Vladi on January 23, 2010, 03:58:07 AM

I've had KYB shocks in the rear for 6 years+. After 6 years i changed them only because I installed Koni's. They're one of the best shocks I've seen. (KYB)

Title: KYB shocks
Post by: dwtaylorpdx on January 23, 2010, 11:58:27 PM

I actually put a set of KYB's in a 911 a few years ago. Needed to get it drivable cheep and fast. They turned out to work very very well and I never took them back out. the car even drove well at the track with them.

Dave

Title: KYB shocks
Post by: jjcarr1 on January 28, 2010, 09:37:48 AM

You can get a set of Bilstein Touring Class for only $225, not much more for a solid performer.  Work great on non-lowered cars.

Title: KYB shocks
Post by: DesktopDave on January 28, 2010, 10:47:05 AM

If I didn't have a set of Bilstein Sports going in, I'd have probably tried the KYBs.  I don't think they'd last as long, but you can't beat their quality for the price IMHO.  I've heard they also offer a good warranty.

Title: KYB shocks
Post by: BlueBMW on January 28, 2010, 08:35:31 PM

As soon as the tax money comes I'll be ordering a set of the KYBs.  Anythings gotta be better than the blown out stockers I have now.

Title: KYB shocks
Post by: 4banger on January 28, 2010, 09:37:33 PM

267k miles on my dd. i think its time for new suspension lol the shocks and struts are stamped bmw on them. prety sure they are sachs or bodge.

Title: KYB shocks
Post by: dwtaylorpdx on January 28, 2010, 11:04:09 PM

The KYB's on the 911 lasted 8 years of thrashing around on them....

Dave