Suspension, 98.5 M3 Coupe -> '98 328I

[neutralction]

Hey guys,
My friend recently picked up a PSS9 kit for his 98.5 M3 Coupe and he had Bilstein Sport Struts and H&R Sport Springs all around. Now I am pretty sure these are a straight swap over correct? I understand M3 springs cant be used with 328 struts but as long as the two stay together it will bolt up? Just making sure, going to try and put the front struts and springs on tomorrow and want to make sure I don't have to put the old stuff back on. Also, I recently replaced the LCAB, but any other things I should be looking to swap out in the process?
Thanks

[smracing85]

Yes it's a straight swap if the struts and springs come as a package. To completely match the 98 M3 front geometry you would have to add the offset strut mounts for more camber and sway-bar end-links that attach to the strut instead of the lower control arm, and if you felt like doing a little extra you could do 95 M3 offset lower control arm bushings for more caster. And then there's the LCA's themselves, I've heard that the ball joints are larger and stronger on the M3 ones, but I don't know anything about the geometry difference from your 328 ones.

In short yes, you can do a straight swap, but just the struts and springs are not the whole difference between the M3 suspension and your 328.

[neutralction]

Thanks alot sm, all I have to say is wow, even replacing just the front is a world of difference. Now I have about 94,000k on the clock and now have replaced springs, struts and lcab. Is there anything that anyone would suggest changing over to M3 spec before it gives out that has a good dollar to improvement ratio?

[Paul NJ]

Thanks alot sm, all I have to say is wow, even replacing just the front is a world of difference. Now I have about 94,000k on the clock and now have replaced springs, struts and lcab. Is there anything that anyone would suggest changing over to M3 spec before it gives out that has a good dollar to improvement ratio?

look below


Yes it's a straight swap if the struts and springs come as a package. To completely match the 98 M3 front geometry you would have to add the offset strut mounts for more camber and sway-bar end-links that attach to the strut instead of the lower control arm, and if you felt like doing a little extra you could do 95 M3 offset lower control arm bushings for more caster. And then there's the LCA's themselves, I've heard that the ball joints are larger and stronger on the M3 ones, but I don't know anything about the geometry difference from your 328 ones.

In short yes, you can do a straight swap, but just the struts and springs are not the whole difference between the M3 suspension and your 328.

^^ what he said

[paniolo]

Can the offset M3 strut mounts be used with non M lowering springs to get more camber?

[racermp]

yup ^ for caster, prolly not camber.


yea i got m3 struts and springs. all are bolt on.