Author Topic: How can one tell genuine E30 M3 factory springs apart from regular E30 springs? (Read 9311 times)

Cobra Jet · « **on:** March 10, 2009, 09:27:36 AM »

Exactly as stated in the title - How can one tell genuine E30 M3 factory springs apart from regular E30 springs (especially if buying used E30 M3 springs)? I know the E30 M3 springs are shorter, however, that's just obvious... I'm looking for other ways to confirm a set of genuine E30 M3 springs apart from the standard E30 springs, besides using spring heights...

Were there any specific color stampings on the E30 M3 springs from the factory?

Do genuine E30 M3 springs have part numbers cast/stamped on them?

How many coils are found on the front & rear set of E30 M3 springs? Are the coils thicker for an M3?

I searched on here trying to get answers for my above questions, but did not come across any thread in which someone previously asked similar questions or any that had the answers to such questions...

Also, is it true that the front springs on a 318is are the same BMW part # and spring as those found on the E30 M3's? I saw this posted on one BMW site as well, but no factual info or other responses confirmed or denied that statement... ??

Just trying to find out how to tell genuine E30 M3 springs apart from standard E30 springs... any help is appreciated.

tjts1 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 10, 2009, 12:06:13 PM »

M3 front springs have 6 coils (left). All other E30 springs have 7. Same wire thickness.

M3 rear springs have 1 fewer coil and use thicker wire. M3 spring left, stock right.

All other E30 springs (be they Mtech, 6 cyl, 4 cyl, whatever) are all very very similar to each other and district from M3 springs.

Cobra Jet · « **Reply #2 on:** March 10, 2009, 01:00:09 PM »

tjts1 - is that the only way to tell? I mean, there are no distinguishing color marks or part #'s on the M3 springs (or any other E30 for that matter)? I guess I'm assuming by what you stated above, that the M3 springs are the only factory E30 springs that have less coils than the standard E30 - correct?

thanks for your help

tjts1 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 10, 2009, 03:48:03 PM »

My M3 front springs that came from an 88 have a green stripe on them (stock springs have blue). No markings on the rear springs other than the PN which I don't have. But I'm not sure if the color stripe is the same on all years of the E30 M3. The 6 coils vs 7 coils on the front springs is pretty consistent from other pics I've seen.
good luck
Justin

M3 spring top.

Cobra Jet · « **Reply #4 on:** March 11, 2009, 09:08:47 PM »

Justin,

Do the springs have any stamped part numbers in them on the very bottoms or tops of the coils (basically the area which woudl sit flat against the spring perches/seats)?

Also, if you are not using those that you had pictured, are they for sale? LOL!

tjts1 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 11, 2009, 09:54:54 PM »

Sorry, don't have the PNs. I've been driving on the $80 M3 springs for 6 months now and they aren't going anywhere. I love these. The stock springs are long gone.

318/6 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 23, 2009, 04:09:35 PM »

In MOST cases, E30 M3 springs were tagged with green stripes on the front spring and white on the rear spring. There are variations of this, depending on vehicle options, etc. Note that there are many variations on non-U.S. market cars.

Also as TJTS1 mentioned, stock E30 M3 both front and rear springs have 1 less active coil; same front wire O.D. and slightly thicker rear wire O.D as compared to 318/325 springs. (I have these measurements, just not in front of me).

Part numbers are stamped on the top inactive coil along with other numbers (front and rear springs). In some cases, these are hard to make out due to rust/wear from the upper spring perch.

Cobra Jet · « **Reply #7 on:** March 25, 2009, 08:23:49 PM »

Thanks for the added info Pete!

Do you happen to know the E30 M3 spring rates by chance?