RD springs or m3 springs?

[Maverix]

Ok, I know that the m3 springs don't work on the rears, but will they for the front? And would they drop more than the RD springs that I'm getting? (1.25")

I'm asking because there is a guy parting out his sport e36 m3 for cheap. He also has e46 m3 springs. If they don't fit, I'll probably buy em and resell em.

[ATF]

M3 springs only work on M3 struts, which also require M3 sways, which all don't "fit". Of course you could do custom fab to make them "fit".

edit: I might have lied about the sways, they may not be required.

[Maverix]

Oh wow. Wasn't expecting that. If that's the case, I'll just stick to the RDS kit.

Thank you!

[96cali]

springs should physically fit but you're carrying less weight up front unless you're swapped. Likely less drop anyways. Use the RD.

[J!m]

Unless you are carrying an S50B32 under the hood, you will be WAY too light in the nose for M3 springs. Your ride height will increase with M3 springs and a four under the hood.

The will fit on your ti struts (as mentioned) so you could use the ti struts and sway arrangement.

However, the M3 arrangement is far superior to the ti arramgement, and the sway bar is lighter as well.

Everything from the M3 bolts into the ti chassis with no modifications at all.

If you have a four, you need springs rated for that weight.

[ATF]

Originally Posted by J!m

Unless you are carrying an S50B32 under the hood, you will be WAY too light in the nose for M3 springs. Your ride height will increase with M3 springs and a four under the hood.

The will fit on your ti struts (as mentioned) so you could use the ti struts and sway arrangement.

However, the M3 arrangement is far superior to the ti arramgement, and the sway bar is lighter as well.

Everything from the M3 bolts into the ti chassis with no modifications at all.

If you have a four, you need springs rated for that weight.

Really? I was under the impression that they were physically different as well. I didn't know the only reason was because they were spec'ed differently. I could've sworn I saw 328 owners not putting M3 suspension in because it wouldn't fit. Oh well, I stand corrected.

[J!m]

I can measure them, but by "eye" the springs appear to have the same diameter. I have the ti sport springs, US M3 springs and Euro M3 GT springs and they all appear to have the same diameter.

The rates are VERY different on the three...

[thesk8nmidget]

i have had m3 struts in my ti before and they fit fine and i was running ti springs, then upgraded to h&r springs.

[ATF]

Hrmm, so I guess the ultimate question is will M3 springs fit in ti struts. But then do you run into tuning problems, especially if you're not running a 6-cyl

[J!m]

well, yes, you have tuning problems, because the nose of your car will sit higher, and the rate is too high for the weight of the car.

I estimate it will be 3/4-1" higher with the M3 springs in place of the ti springs...

[NiteOp]

please revive thread from the past! J!M said all three spring sets have the same diameter. for the rears? the top and bottom double pigtails? I would prefer more spring Rate and less drop.

For the fronts: the inner spring diameter is the same?
the '95 to '96 (smaller) are different at the top

[bullmand]

There's some good information in the first couple of paragraphs of this page.

http://www.protoworks.com/cgi-bin/C-...Are_Like_Legos

[NiteOp]

Thanks Bullmand

[bullmand]

Originally Posted by NiteOp

Thanks Bullmand

You're welcome, but the thanks actually belong to spidertri. He linked to that in a post the other day. I thought it was a fantastic resource so it doesn't hurt to spread it around a little.