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DISCUSSION => Suspension => Topic started by: flavyphil on September 08, 2008, 11:00:51 PM

Title: 1991 318is shocks and springs?
Post by: flavyphil on September 08, 2008, 11:00:51 PM

hey everyone names phil i just bought my first beemer!:D its a 91 318is its in great shape i want to change my shocks and springs so i can get it down a little. Im kinda a noob though. when im looking at kits it seems like most e30 kits have exclusions for my car. can anyone tell me why that is and how i can get around it?  Cuz i am reading postings where guys a using all sorts of brands and types? I just want to know what will work. Thx for the help:confused:

Title: 1991 318is shocks and springs?
Post by: Jimmy Lewis on September 09, 2008, 10:17:13 AM

Springs and shocks for the 318is and the m20 cars are the same. There is tons of info on the springs and shocks that meet your goals, just search around the suspension section of the forum, there are tons of topics on it. Goodluck.

Title: 1991 318is shocks and springs?
Post by: rhogg on September 09, 2008, 11:37:52 AM

Springs and shocks are not the same although they are interchangeable.  The different springs listed in Real OEM for example have different spring rates.

The 318 M42 has a lighter engine so you will get different drops compared to a 325 for the same springs

Search is your freind here. There are many posts on suspension setups and may part numbers specific for the M42 318.  The tried and true set up is Bilstien Sport with H&R Sport springs

Title: 1991 318is shocks and springs?
Post by: flavyphil on September 09, 2008, 08:20:08 PM

thanks so the springs fit its just dif. affects do to weight

Title: 1991 318is shocks and springs?
Post by: AcSchnitzer318is on September 10, 2008, 12:47:57 AM

^Yep, try to get a spring that is designed for the 318/m3 rather than the other e30's.  It will be easier in the long run imho.  I went with billy sports, and h&r sports.

Title: 1991 318is shocks and springs?
Post by: flavyphil on September 10, 2008, 06:40:32 PM

could i use lowering springs and keep the stock shocks for now or is that a no go?

Title: 1991 318is shocks and springs?
Post by: tjts1 on September 10, 2008, 08:02:06 PM

Search the JYs. You can find E30s with all sorts of suspension bits under them. I picked up a set of 1 year old Bilstein HDs for $10 a corner. I've also seen pretty much every brand of lowering springs you can imagine in the JY.

Title: 1991 318is shocks and springs?
Post by: flavyphil on September 10, 2008, 08:52:36 PM

nice ill try that

Title: 1991 318is shocks and springs?
Post by: flavyphil on September 12, 2008, 03:54:30 PM

dude great advice!!!!! went to junk yard and found eibach springs and bilstien shocks all around for $196.00 cant wait to put them on. thanks again!!!

Title: 1991 318is shocks and springs?
Post by: rhogg on September 13, 2008, 03:45:20 PM

Good Find;) - now go back and see if the sway bars were upgraded as well!

Title: 1991 318is shocks and springs?
Post by: tjts1 on September 13, 2008, 08:03:51 PM

Quote from: flavyphil;56600

dude great advice!!!!! went to junk yard and found eibach springs and bilstien shocks all around for $196.00 cant wait to put them on. thanks again!!!

Nice work!
Yellow bilsteins I assume? if they were paired up with loweing springs, then probably bilstein sports. I demand pics! :D
cheers
Justin

Title: 1991 318is shocks and springs?
Post by: flavyphil on September 13, 2008, 09:20:20 PM

haha yes they are yellow and they are the sports!!!:D:D:D the dude threw the struts in too!! the springs are bilsteins too i thought at first they where something ells, anyone no how low they will get me or how stiff?
cuz i want stiff and low!:D

Title: 1991 318is shocks and springs?
Post by: spaceman_spiff on October 20, 2008, 10:09:31 PM

what junk yard did you go to?
finding a deal like that would be great.