Author Topic: Whoops, wrong springs. Will they work? (Read 8663 times)

danhx · « **on:** January 08, 2009, 10:47:51 AM »

I recently got a deal on some H&R sports, model: 50406. Thing is, I could have sworn I checked the part number before buying and that they were the 50404 for the 318is. Regardless, H&R shows the 50406 are suited for the six-cylinder e30s, but also the M3. ... I'm wondering if I can still use them on my 318 without making it either look or handle oddly. My plan was to change out the stock suspension with the H&Rs and Bilstein sports later this spring.

Thanks for your input!

tjts1 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 08, 2009, 11:27:01 AM »

The 318i/is used the same springs from the factory as the 325i. I have M3 springs on my 318 so I don't see why not.

monty23psk · « **Reply #2 on:** January 08, 2009, 12:16:06 PM »

The springs should work, just the amount of spring rate plus the 6 cyl and the m3 have heavier engines, so the springs take that into account. Maybe now it will not drop as low as you want.

danhx · « **Reply #3 on:** January 08, 2009, 08:51:51 PM »

Thanks guys.

How it affects the front end is the question. Obviously it won't drop like I expected, but as long as it doesn't handle oddly I'm fine with that. I'm more of a function-over-form type fellow. ... I guess I'll just throw them once I pick up the shocks/stutrs on and see how it goes. Worst case scenario I have to switch 'em out for the ones I intended. It's not a DD anymore, so I can tinker.

max123 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 13, 2009, 11:50:30 PM »

I don't think this is correct - check realoem.com It lists two types of springs for the 318is. Standard springs and m-tech springs. I think even realoem is a bit off on this - i think it is getting mixed up with the 318i. I think that all 318is models have the m-tech springs. And that is one good reason to keep the stock springs - what's better quality some $200 H&R springs or a pair of $750 oem m-tech springs?

Also, the m-tech springs are slightly lower than stock to begin with - which screws everything up because all aftermarket springs list how much they lower based on the basic 318i springs. Anyway, I could never get a decent answer out of an rep or BMW parts person so I stayed with the factory springs.

tjts1 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 14, 2009, 12:17:33 AM »

Sorry. All 318i/is sold in the states had the exact same 7 coil springs. Put a 318is next to a 318i and a 325i front spring... same number of coils (7) same wire thickness, same coil spacing. There is no difference. Hence the reason that our 318 car rode so damn high in the front. Even the M3 springs were same wire thickness just 1 fewer coil. This is isn't rocket science. The differences are too small to worry about it. There is no stock E30 spring worth a damn. I picked up M3 springs for $80.

Rear springs were a different story. Fewer coils, thicker wire.

max123 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 16, 2009, 12:14:45 AM »

Realoem lists the following front springs for the 1991 318is

Vehicles with Sport Suspension: 31331130046
Vehicles With A/C: 31331131030

For the 325 it lists the following:

Coil Spring: 31331131333
Vehicles with Sport Suspension: 31331130049
Vehicles with A/C and Sport Suspension: 31331130054
Coil springs with a/c: 31331132742

All different springs - when I redid my suspension I spent nearly a month trying to find out what type of springs went into the E30 - not even BMW could give me a straight answer. My understanding was that the 325 cars had beefier front springs to handle the weight of the m20. Also, I am pretty sure m-tech springs were the factory option for the 318is the 318i got the regular col springs - and the m-tech springs are laughably expensive if you try to get them from the dealer now.

Edit: I was just looking at Brian Purcell's webpage ( http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/318ischassis.html ) and it jogged my memory - the 318is front springs are 15mm lower and the back is 17mm lower and different shocks.

But ultimately, Justin's right 15mm is not low enough and I wish I could have scrubbed of another 1 1/2 inches when I redid mine.

tinindian · « **Reply #7 on:** April 04, 2009, 08:24:10 AM »

US spec 318i/is cars had the same suspension. BP states that the 318is had shorter springs but he is referring to euro spec cars.

Bunta · « **Reply #8 on:** April 04, 2009, 02:34:44 PM »

I recently swapped my H&R 325 OE sports for 50406 E30 M3 sport springs.
The car sits lower in the front and feels a bit stiffer.
http://r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=102527&page=6

Hunter

3seriesNut · « **Reply #9 on:** April 11, 2009, 11:21:10 PM »

tj,what year m3 did your springs come off of?

tjts1 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 12, 2009, 02:20:34 AM »

Seller said 88 but I can't verify. It lowered the car about 1" in the front. Didn't measure the rear.

3seriesNut · « **Reply #11 on:** April 12, 2009, 07:44:53 PM »

im looking to do my suspension here in the next week or 2. couldnt find a good price on used m3 springs so i guess ill go with h&r sport lowering springs.

tjts1 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 12, 2009, 07:47:57 PM »

I like the my M3 springs but they are definitely not substantially stiffer than stock. I would guess maybe 20% at best. On the autoX course, the car still rolls like crazy (see my signature). Probably why they are so cheap. But the other 99% of the time, they are just right for me. So you might be better off with an aftermarket spring.

3seriesNut · « **Reply #13 on:** April 12, 2009, 08:44:55 PM »

my 4door is deff not gonna be tracked but i do enjoy some spirted 3rd gear 50-60mph cornering on those twisty wva mountain roads on a daily basis on my commute to and from work.

Jimmy Lewis · « **Reply #14 on:** April 13, 2009, 12:23:00 PM »

Even sports are very modest in the spring rate department when compared to what most guys run with their coilover setups. As far as rates go with stock springs, I think that between all of the e30 models front spring rates deviate only like 20lb/in at most, if that. Like the 325i's have a front rate of 106lb/in while the "sport" suspensioned 325is' have a front rate of 118lb/in, not exactly enough to call it "sport suspension", but I digress.