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

DISCUSSION => General Topics => Topic started by: namzat18 on August 27, 2014, 05:05:32 AM

Title: E30
Post by: namzat18 on August 27, 2014, 05:05:32 AM

Do a lot of parts bolt up across model type? I have a 318is and i was wondering if suspension bolted up from a 325i? I'm talking after market. and how would i figure this out?

Title: Re: E30
Post by: keflaman on August 27, 2014, 05:19:27 AM

There's a lot of interchangeability between the 318 and 325 models. Use http://bmwfans.info/ or http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do and compare part numbers.

Anything in specific you were wondering about?

Title: Re: E30
Post by: namzat18 on August 30, 2014, 06:37:06 PM

I was wondering about like aftermarket suspension and certain. Interior parts that may be easier to find because aftermarket parts for the 318 are not the easiest to find.  And a lot of my interior is bad.

Title: Re: E30
Post by: keflaman on August 30, 2014, 07:04:36 PM

Almost all the interior is interchangeable with the caveat that sedan seats without the fold and tumble function wouldn't allow you access to the back seat. Or at least, a fat, dumpy guy like me would have a problem getting access to the back seat.

Generally speaking, suspension parts are interchangeable and will be specified if not.

Title: Re: E30
Post by: thebrelon on August 31, 2014, 03:07:53 AM

the main differences you may find:
- 45mm/51mm struts
- ix struts
- m3 struts/swaybar

even tho, 45/51mm struts are interchangeable (upgrade to 51), and m3 struts can be installed in any e30 but ix. by the way everything is plug and play.
so aftermarket parts sold for 325i only can actually be fitted on almost any e30, and 318is for sure. you have to make sure that spring rates match your needs

Title: Re: E30
Post by: timothymcn on August 31, 2014, 10:41:46 AM

Quote from: thebrelon on August 31, 2014, 03:07:53 AM

the main differences you may find:
- 45mm/51mm struts
- ix struts
- m3 struts/swaybar

even tho, 45/51mm struts are interchangeable (upgrade to 51), and m3 struts can be installed in any e30 but ix. by the way everything is plug and play.
so aftermarket parts sold for 325i only can actually be fitted on almost any e30, and 318is for sure. you have to make sure that spring rates match your needs

I thought it was only the early M10 equipped 318 that had 45 mm front struts? I'm pretty sure my own 318is has 51 mm struts from the factory.

Title: Re: E30
Post by: thebrelon on August 31, 2014, 12:59:15 PM

you're right: 318is are equipped with 51mm struts.
I was listing the difference across the whole E30 familly