Advice needed for suspension upgrade kit

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Brucey
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Re: Advice needed for suspension upgrade kit

Post by Brucey »

if my understanding of the (many different) Bilstein numbering systems is correct then 34-000243 might be the same part as used to be known as P36-0243. I think this maybe is not a part that fits any E12 chassis in fact....

I've posted so much on this topic (mostly because Bilstein keep changing the fecking numbers on the shocks they make, or because their daft retailers create duff listings) that I have lost track. You may find more information amongst these other old posts of mine;

search.php?keywords=P36-0243&terms=all& ... mit=Search

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Re: Advice needed for suspension upgrade kit

Post by GRNSHRK »

Fanatic, regarding this quote, it's my understanding that while Billy may not have listed the pre-82 E24 chassis fitment, these do exchange freely with the E12 528i/530i chassis :-k
Do you know why 34-000243 and 24-007306 (B6) in the link that you've provided don't have pre-82 E24 in the list of compatible cars, only E12 528/530? I assume that's a typo?
Think if you have checked the B&G website, they likely only listed E12 models as well, but these springs will fit the series I E24 chassis [-o<
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G03rt2
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Re: Advice needed for suspension upgrade kit

Post by G03rt2 »

Correct me if I'm wrong. E12 lowering setup would consist of:
H&R PN: 29533-1 (available via eBay)
Rear Bilstein B8 PN: B46-0189 (available via Turner)
Front Bilstein B8 PN: 34-193020 (available from random online retailers... Maybe)
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Re: Advice needed for suspension upgrade kit

Post by G03rt2 »

I'm going to correct myself, because I was wrong.
I purchased the springs, I have them, I know they exist.
The Front Bilstein PN: 34-193020 is an insert and even though several online retailers are selling it. I purchased it and got a call a few hours later saying that it's been discontinued.
The rear Bilstein number according to Bavauto is 24-008198 and they are currently out of stock.
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tschultz
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Re: Advice needed for suspension upgrade kit

Post by tschultz »

Let us know what you find.. I may have to buy some replacement shocks soon!
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Re: Advice needed for suspension upgrade kit

Post by zinnocoupe »

I just thought I would add here that I've had several long frustrating phone calls with Bilstein USA. I was told the rear e12 sports or equivalent are NLA now and forever. I'll have to dig up the exact info I have and post some of the parts numbers I was quoted.
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Re: Advice needed for suspension upgrade kit

Post by G03rt2 »

I'm not saying I'm giving up, but the only way I see of getting struts/shocks at this point is to get the dimensional drawings from Bilstein, find something similar and modify them to work.
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Brucey
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Re: Advice needed for suspension upgrade kit

Post by Brucey »

G03rt2 wrote: Thu Mar 01, 2018 12:55 pm I'm not saying I'm giving up, but the only way I see of getting struts/shocks at this point is to get the dimensional drawings from Bilstein, find something similar and modify them to work.
IIRC if you use

E12 type top mounts
E12 type springs and spring perches (may be the same diameter spring perches as fit to M635CSI rear shocks BTW)
E28 rear shocks, with modified lower eye bush

you can make a workable setup. The E28 type mount has a longer bush than the E12 type mount. The shocks are otherwise similar.

Alternatively IIRC B46-0730 is a B6 sport damper that fits E12 chassis. Damping rates are similar (nigh on identical) to B8 shocks. Simply lowering the spring perch (various means) will give a lowered suspension for the rear using standard springs.

Not rocket science any of this stuff. Just get stuck in and have a go.

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