92 325i questions

[noshowe36]

hi, i have a great lead on a nice 92 325i for about 1700 bucks. my question is i know about the non-vanos up to 92.5. but i am not sure on the suspension, i have searched and not much came up on suspension. what is the difference, does it have the e30 rear set up? also any other concerns i should know about the 92. excluding the cooling and vanos stuff.
thanx

[Truman325i]

If it is n early build the suspension will be the same as an M3 in the front, I belive rear doesnt vary. 92's are great cars , love mine and have had no problems and other e36 year hasnt had.

[noshowe36]

so there is no difference in the rear susp.? and the early's had the m3 front end, the e30 or e36? thanks for the help. the car has 223k but i'm not affraid of miles.

[Doug001]

Also, the rear sway is larger diameter on the early '92. :D

Not sure if the whole front is M... haven't had to deal with it.

[Mill-town]

I'm really interested in this seeing on how I have an early 92 325.... how is it the same as a M3??

[downeaster1]

ya the whole front is M
verified by a service guy at ira bmw in stratham...and by myself
haha
welcome to the 92 cult my friend

[drtweak1992325i]

i got my 92...its nice...i wouldnt want any other 3 series unless its was an M3. The non vanos is nice if your gonna mod a lot. Less shit to worry about. Get your self a nice Dinan chip cold air intake and you'd be set. It drives great and for 1700 its worth it. just make sure to test drive it first though.

[BMWg84]

My 92 has a 11/91 build date and the M3 style struts where the sway bar stabilizer link mounts to the strut assembly (not the control arm). The later 1992 build dates changed to the sway bay link to the control arm. I think that happened after 1/1992?

[dk4bimmer]

My 92 has a 11/91 build date and the M3 style struts where the sway bar stabilizer link mounts to the strut assembly (not the control arm). The later 1992 build dates changed to the sway bay link to the control arm. I think that happened after 1/1992?

my 92 has the same build date and my swaybar links mount to the control arm (on another note i have a Sachs Performance Suspension Kit**Spings and everything* * for 325i Thru 5/1992 Production
Sachs performance suspension sets, developed by Sachs Race Engineering
Part # :*118 096 $ 679.95

for sale with mabe 500 miles on it and it rides nice only reason im selling it is because i have upgraded to a whole M3 Suspension with billys. im selling the whole setup springs,shocks,struts for $450

[BMWg84]

That's a really good deal as long as the links mount to the shocks.

[dk4bimmer]

That's a really good deal as long as the links mount to the shocks.

no the links mount to the control arms (i also have a 4/92 that has links that mount to the control arm) mabe they made some diff. but i do know that when i bought the kit i was looking into all this and the oem setup was all stock and was told by a good friend off mine that has worked at a very well known bmw aftermarket company for 13 yrs that all e36 5/92 and earler where made with the links mounting to the control arms also on realoem.com the pic shows both short and long links and only the short is avalible for the 11/91 325i but anyway i gess the best way to see if you have long links that mount to the struts or if you have shorts that mount to the control arm

but you can use ether struts you just have to change more things

[noshowe36]

after some hard considering, i.e. arguing with the wife, i think i am gonna wait on this 92. maybe some onecan get some good use out of it. i really want an e30 and swap a s50 anyway.

[Mill-town]

ok so let me get this straight.....

if the link are on the struts it's like and M but if there on the control arms then it's like a 325?????

[dk4bimmer]

pre 5/92 e36s have short links that mount to the control arms
5/92 and up have long links that mount to the strut

[BMWg84]

i don't think your info is entirely correct dk4. my 11/91 325i had struts with the swaybar link.

318/325/328 and 323 I believe are all non-M3 strut setups.

[RamGoat]

All this and the OP asked for advice on the maintainence....though he is gonna hold off I find it hard to believe that no one has mentioned the subframe reinforcement plated.......

[Mill-town]

shit my subframe is as thin as could be... Already ripped the diff out more times than i can count

[pat92]

Are there any suspension differences between the early '92 325i's and later ones other than the sway bar mounting? I checked the build date on mine and it's 11/91, although I haven't examined the front suspension yet. It would be cool to have something fairly unique.

[Jake D]

I have a 92 with a build date of 5/91. Here are some things that I learned...

Pre 10/91 will have swaybars that mount with long linkage to the strut. The later '95 M3s use this same configuration with a stiffer swaybar.
**Also note that the mounting point for the front swaybar is almost an inch further forward than later models. I'm not sure if this changed after 10/91 or after 6/92.

There was also a change in the front suspension in 6/92. (shock, bearing, etc) If you plan on lowering your car, be sure you know the build date and check your swaybar style. If you're pre 10/91 or close to it (there are some 11/91 cars with M style sway linkage) you will need to choose the 95 M3 fitment. This will allow you to run the stock swaybar. (I have not yet found an aftermarket swaybar for the pre 10/91 e36... but I havn't tried an M3 bar yet) You'll also need to upgrade the front tower bearings and spring hats. (there are kits for this post 6/92 conversion) I also suggest purchasing the z3 reinforcment plates if you run a stiff spring or oversized tires.

[downeaster1]

ya may of 1992 is when they changed over.
my 92' has a build date of Jan 22 1992 and i have the M suspension (not an upgrade)

[RandyMolson]

My 325i has a build date in Jan 1992 and I have an non-M suspension. So, no rhyme or reason as far as I can see.


ya may of 1992 is when they changed over.
my 92' has a build date of Jan 22 1992 and i have the M suspension (not an upgrade)

[Red92bmw325i]

i got my 92...its nice...i wouldnt want any other 3 series unless its was an M3. The non vanos is nice if your gonna mod a lot. Less shit to worry about. Get your self a nice Dinan chip cold air intake and you'd be set. It drives great and for 1700 its worth it. just make sure to test drive it first though.

I have a 92 325i built date of 11/91 I am new to bmw. so since it was built in 91 does this mean I don't have vanos?? I am confused I though mine would have vanos. Right after about 4,000rpm it pulls really hard all the way to redline.. My car also has lsd.. But I don't think it has heated seats... confused

[zarbat007]

I have a 92 325i built date of 11/91 I am new to bmw. so since it was built in 91 does this mean I don't have vanos?? I am confused I though mine would have vanos. Right after about 4,000rpm it pulls really hard all the way to redline.. My car also has lsd.. But I don't think it has heated seats... confused

No you don't have vanos. Less thing to worry about.

[Mill-town]

your car does not have vanos, what your feeling is the nomal power band of the engine. Just because you don't have heated seats dosen't mean anything. One style came with Traction control the other with the LSD, What you need to look for is the ASC button next to the shifter by the sunglass holder. This with let you know what style you have. If your car does have a vanos motor the PO must have swapped it in there, But vanos comes in @ arounf 2-3k not for

[chickentoe82]

ah the 92 suspension is driving me insane!!!!

[Red92bmw325i]

your car does not have vanos, what your feeling is the nomal power band of the engine. Just because you don't have heated seats dosen't mean anything. One style came with Traction control the other with the LSD, What you need to look for is the ASC button next to the shifter by the sunglass holder. This with let you know what style you have. If your car does have a vanos motor the PO must have swapped it in there, But vanos comes in @ arounf 2-3k not for

I looked but no ASC Button. what is that button for, if I did have it? Traction control? I probably don't have vanos since I doubt they did a motor swap..
Also now that I know I don't have vanos, how much fater is a 92 325i that does have vanos?? Big difference in power?

[zarbat007]

I looked but no ASC Button. what is that button for, if I did have it? Traction control? I probably don't have vanos since I doubt they did a motor swap..
Also now that I know I don't have vanos, how much fater is a 92 325i that does have vanos?? Big difference in power?

not really,
I test drove my friend's 325i with vanos and there was ZERO difference.
vanos is only designed to help car pull a litlle better in lower rpms and break (lol).




I did notice driving a 328i, it was faster in 1st and 2nd gears, since the engine has kinda more torque than 325i.

[Mill-town]

not really,
I test drove my friend's 325i with vanos and there was ZERO difference.
vanos is only designed to help car pull a litlle better in lower rpms and break (lol).

Your a fuc**ng retard, With zero intelligence if this is you only answer to this question.



I looked but no ASC Button. what is that button for, if I did have it? Traction control? I probably don't have vanos since I doubt they did a motor swap..
Also now that I know I don't have vanos, how much fater is a 92 325i that does have vanos?? Big difference in power?


ASC button is for the traction control, ON/OFF switch. It ethier came with T/C Traction Control or LSD and seeing on how there is no ASC button you more then likely have the LSD. Are you manual or auto?

There are debates and controversy all over BFc on what one is better.. I had both and I felt that the vanos pulled alot harder then the non vanos, But thats my opinion on the matter. Everyone says that the vanos has a wider power band then the non vanos. You would have to find some one with a vanos and drive it to make your own choice.

[zarbat007]

Your a fuc**ng retard, With zero intelligence if this is you only answer to this question.




What is your problem?
He asked how faster are vanos compared to non-vanos, I answered.

You got a problem with that? I answer wathever question I want to. I f you can't respect anyone in this forum GTFO.:nono

[zarbat007]

Your a fuc**ng retard, With zero intelligence if this is you only answer to this question.


There are debates and controversy all over BFc on what one is better.. I had both and I felt that the vanos pulled alot harder then the non vanos, But thats my opinion on the matter. Everyone says that the vanos has a wider power band then the non vanos. You would have to find some one with a vanos and drive it to make your own choice.

Thats exaggeration. Alot harder huh?
I guess we have different standars for "a lot"... Is that why you called me a moron?

Many people think vanos is like honda's V-tec and adds a lot pf power...
At least that Vtec adds 30 hp , vanos adds none. It helps the car pull a little better at 2-3K RPM.

[Red92bmw325i]

Your a fuc**ng retard, With zero intelligence if this is you only answer to this question.





ASC button is for the traction control, ON/OFF switch. It ethier came with T/C Traction Control or LSD and seeing on how there is no ASC button you more then likely have the LSD. Are you manual or auto?

There are debates and controversy all over BFc on what one is better.. I had both and I felt that the vanos pulled alot harder then the non vanos, But thats my opinion on the matter. Everyone says that the vanos has a wider power band then the non vanos. You would have to find some one with a vanos and drive it to make your own choice.

I have a manual..why?
Any difference?

[Mill-town]

Thats exaggeration. Alot harder huh?
I guess we have different standars for "a lot"... Is that why you called me a moron?

Many people think vanos is like honda's V-tec and adds a lot pf power...
At least that Vtec adds 30 hp , vanos adds none. It helps the car pull a little better at 2-3K RPM.

I never said that the vanos made more hp, I said it made power threw out the power band better. And yes the why I called you a "moron" (if this is the word you would like to use)


I have a manual..why?
Any difference?

I asked what trans you had so I knew what diff your car came with. The manuals come with a 3:15 lsd (normaly) and the autos come with a 3:91 lsd

[zarbat007]

I never said that the vanos made more hp, I said it made power threw out the power band better. And yes the why I called you a "moron" (if this is the word you would like to use)


:rolleyes

Its all give and take.
Vanos pulls slightly better at lower rpms, non-vanos is more rev-happy at higher rpms.
I agree they have vanos motores have **better** power range but its nothing noticeable. At least it wasn't to me.

non vanos:
Hotter cams stock
- stock double valve springs
- mechanical (as opposed to hyrdaulic) lifters, so valves won't float as easy at high rpms
- beefier connecting rods
- beefier block, so more room to bore
- Can handle (apparently) up to 10psi boost stock. (from another forum)

I have seen more forums of others who have had a vanos and non vanos M50s and they all agreed it was nothing noticeable.
I'll post them if I find them.

[Mill-town]

once again if you read my other post I said it was a flip of a coin on what one was really better. I never picked ethier one, I just said that (MY TWO CENTS) was I liked the vanos better and thought the vanos pulled threw the rpms better then the no vanos.... helps to actual read everything I write not just the high lights

[zarbat007]

once again if you read my other post I said it was a flip of a coin on what one was really better. I never picked ethier one, I just said that (MY TWO CENTS) was I liked the vanos better and thought the vanos pulled threw the rpms better then the no vanos.... helps to actual read everything I write not just the high lights

I also gave him y $0>02 and you call me a "moron":rolleyes

Read your last replies before you post another one.

[Mill-town]

but your two cent sentence was the equivalent of a two year old

[zarbat007]

but your two cent sentence was the equivalent of a two year old
:rolleyes
Okay there...

[Mill-town]

:evil2

Anyways, Back to the OP topic of this thread...........

[Red92bmw325i]

I never said that the vanos made more hp, I said it made power threw out the power band better. And yes the why I called you a "moron" (if this is the word you would like to use)



I asked what trans you had so I knew what diff your car came with. The manuals come with a 3:15 lsd (normaly) and the autos come with a 3:91 lsd
So if I do have the 3.15 how good is that one? I think eventually its gonna need replacement.. Witch one would you guys recommend? 4.10??
Thanks both of you..

[Mill-town]

So if I do have the 3.15 how good is that one? I think eventually its gonna need replacement.. Witch one would you guys recommend? 4.10??
Thanks both of you..


Personaly if this is going to be a DD I wouldn't go over a 3:91. This is what I had it my car, and for as far as DD goes I didnt like it at all. Car toped out at 125mph and I would turn 4k rpms at 75 :mad

As far as racing goes I loved it, always in the power band and reved like a champ.

[Red92bmw325i]

Personaly if this is going to be a DD I wouldn't go over a 3:91. This is what I had it my car, and for as far as DD goes I didnt like it at all. Car toped out at 125mph and I would turn 4k rpms at 75 :mad

As far as racing goes I loved it, always in the power band and reved like a champ.

Oh ok..well I plan on keeping it as a daily driver for now. So probably no 3.91 in the future, I will probably have to find something in the middle of 3.15 and 3.91 if there's even any.. I do race it every once in a while but not a lot.. I do however like to know that at any moment I can get on it, and know that it will really go..

[Mill-town]

Oh ok..well I plan on keeping it as a daily driver for now. So probably no 3.91 in the future, I will probably have to find something in the middle of 3.15 and 3.91 if there's even any.. I do race it every once in a while but not a lot.. I do however like to know that at any moment I can get on it, and know that it will really go..

look into FI then.

I believe that the M3 comes with a 3:23 lsd and if you can find a pre 96 I believe they have the 4 bolt and it would be a direct bolt in.

[Red92bmw325i]

look into FI then.

I believe that the M3 comes with a 3:23 lsd and if you can find a pre 96 I believe they have the 4 bolt and it would be a direct bolt in.

So one off any pre 96 m3 would be a straight bolt on? Have you or anyone else done this ? How much difference should I expect? Noticable change?

[Mill-town]

You will see a difference in your exceleration and your top speed might fall a little but I dout your car has the power to make it to it's peak speed.

The swap is easy if you get the mating diff for your car. 97+ M's came with a 6 bolt diff flange as the 96 and older still had the 4 bolt setup that the 325 has. If you can find the 4 bolt diff the swap will be easier then putting headers on your car:redspot. Besides for the bolts holding the axels on to the diff, There is three 19mm bolts holding the diff to the subframe and 4 bolts holding the drives shaft to the input shaft on the diff. Thats all there is to it, simple swap.

[Red92bmw325i]

You will see a difference in your exceleration and your top speed might fall a little but I dout your car has the power to make it to it's peak speed.

The swap is easy if you get the mating diff for your car. 97+ M's came with a 6 bolt diff flange as the 96 and older still had the 4 bolt setup that the 325 has. If you can find the 4 bolt diff the swap will be easier then putting headers on your car:redspot. Besides for the bolts holding the axels on to the diff, There is three 19mm bolts holding the diff to the subframe and 4 bolts holding the drives shaft to the input shaft on the diff. Thats all there is to it, simple swap.

Sounds simple..thanks

[BMW525i]

not to throw you guys off the topic, but i have a 92 325is build date 05/92. do i need the early 92 325 suspension kit for new suspension? i m ordering bilsteins/h and r sports.
i hate this damn build date crap its so annoying.

[zarbat007]

not to throw you guys off the topic, but i have a 92 325is build date 05/92. do i need the early 92 325 suspension kit for new suspension? i m ordering bilsteins/h and r sports.
i hate this damn build date crap its so annoying.

Pre-6/92s have different suspension.
You can order Suspension update kit from understeer for about $180.
See the link, scroll down.

http://www.understeer.com/onlinestore-suspension.shtml

[Mill-town]

Sounds simple..thanks

yup.. no problem

[widebody_bimmer]

pre 5/92 e36s have short links that mount to the control arms
5/92 and up have long links that mount to the strut

actually my 6/92 build date has the links that mount to the control arms not the struts

[BMW525i]

i just have to see if the links mount to the control arm or the struts

[chickentoe82]

yeah it makes a big difference im in the middle of the new strut install and my build date is 3/92 and my sway bar mounts to the lower control arm..... i think for some months they did it that way and others they mounted the sway bar to the strut

[BMW525i]

here's a pic of what underneath my 92 325is looks like. it's not mine, but it's the same setup underneath. So do I need the early 92 suspension kit?????

[chickentoe82]

take a pic of the strut with the wheel off

[zarbat007]

here's a pic of what underneath my 92 325is looks like. it's not mine, but it's the same setup underneath. So do I need the early 92 suspension kit?????
If your production date is Before 6/92, you need the early 92 kit.

[BMW525i]

i'm going to take my wheel off to see if the sways are connected to the struts, just to make sure its an early 92. i read some posts/threads of early 92's that have the regular setup.

[BMW525i]

so much for the "early 92" kit i needed

[zarbat007]

so much for the "early 92" kit i needed

According to Pelican parts and Real OEM, its before 6/92.
Maybe the PO updated the suspension :dunno

[BMW525i]

i'm not to sure, i know that some model years are this way too. i'm not complaining, saved me $180 for the kit.