The 'end all' e34 front strut mount reference thread.

[Dvsm50e34]

Im looking to Install B8s into my E34 520i, production date is 11/91 (M50NV)

Ive had a look on the Bilstein pdf, and for the 520i, i get these two... but which ones correct..

518i,520i,520i24V - 01.88- 09.95 90) P36-3020 10)

520i, 520i 24V, 525i, 525i 24V - 07.90- 09.95 14) P36-3019 10)

They both contradict themselves..

[uk525td]

I can only assume the first, is a smaller diameter at the top, and omes with a set of adaptors.
To be honest, if it were me, id buy the shocks and then buy new top mounts to suit, that way you cant go wrong.
Or if oyu dont want to spend out on new top mounts ask for a copy of the tech drawings, usually the listing contains additional notes to what top mount size is requires.

[green525]

I'm installing Billy sports on a 1995 525, rears done no issues. I've tried two different sets of fronts,
#36-3019 and 36-30196. Both sets were for a 22mm nut and the top mounts are fine, but both sets have been too narrow for the strut housing by almost 3mm. So if all the strut housings are the same WTF? Seems like this thread is mostly about top mounts but has anyone else had this issue? I'm thinking of ordering the 36-3020 just to see if they are a larger diameter housing. I work at a shop so it doesn't cost me anything to order/return stuff but it is dam annoying to do a strut swap 3 times...

[84318i]

Good thread! Nice to know e32 strut housing is the same as e34 too, makes for easy brake upgrade?

[m735is]

Green525: When I did my e32, the Bilstein HDs were too narrow for the strut housing also. I just assumed they were supposed to be. The collar fit, so I used them.

Call Bilstein (or email them) and ask if the strut tubes are different. If all of the strut housings are the same, it would stand to reason that the strut bodies are all the same and don't fit snuggly into the housing tube by design.

[green525]

I guess I'll call someone, I'm not comfortable with the strut flopping around in the housing. Seems like it should fit snug.

[pushpins]

sure.

1. all rears work on all years (except SLS)
2. front strut housing is the same for all years
3. front strut must match your car's upper mount, washers, nut etc (V1, V2 or V3)
4. alternatively any matching package (strut and upper components) as a unit can be installed in any year

This means that i can take the entire strut with the springs from a 92-> and mount it to my 1990 520? Im talking about a second hand coilover setup..

[attack eagle]

yes.

[T444E]

This thread was awesome. I'm searching for strut mounts for the front of my car and came across Monro 903922 and Monro 902904. Monro 902904 states DOES NOT WORK WITH OE #31331139437 which is what I have on my car. This made me find this thread and check to make sure I got the right Billy Sports. I did

[Gassernorm]

This thread should be a sticky, lot's of great info here.

[jgdynamics]

this thread just answered my questions... im pulling my billy sports off my 91 525i and putting them on my 95 540i... so the rears will work, no problem at all... the fronts will need all the top hardware from the 91 car and put onto the 95 car... is this correct? Transfer the strut to the 95 540i and use the top mounts and nuts from the 91.

[zubbie]

this thread just answered my questions... im pulling my billy sports off my 91 525i and putting them on my 95 540i... so the rears will work, no problem at all... the fronts will need all the top hardware from the 91 car and put onto the 95 car... is this correct? Transfer the strut to the 95 540i and use the top mounts and nuts from the 91.

Yes. You need the upper mounts that were used on the billy sports although I think all 540's and your 91 525 use the same upper mounts (version 2)

[Melchoir]

Came across this because I'm researching camber plates for my touring (94 530)

Looking at this diagram:



Part 14 (31331091595) is on my car.

That means the v8 tourings have version 3?

Turner motorsports says that the K-mac camber plates won't fit and of the e34 v8 cars, and I can see why - with that in the way. That said, with coilovers can I just leave the spacer out? Its such an odd part... is it there so they could use newer suspension bolt pattern on the older strut towers without redrilling them?


Has anyone put camber plates on the front of a touring?

[zubbie]

According to realoem you have an eastern Euro setup. V8 tourings in NA do not have this adapter and use version 2. Your upper strut mount is the same as version 2.

I would love to see a picture of this on your car to get a better idea of what it looks like

[Yahweh]

Kinda wrong thread. But What about v8 e34, looking for shorten front struts (billy sports). Anybody have P/N and maybe a photo or specs?

[Yahweh]

[Melchoir]

According to realoem you have an eastern Euro setup. V8 tourings in NA do not have this adapter and use version 2. Your upper strut mount is the same as version 2.

I would love to see a picture of this on your car to get a better idea of what it looks like

I'll try to get some pictures of it. That means one more for the "euro" category. My car is supposed to be a german import but there are conflicting things in it. Some parts/stickers are for NA, some are for german market. I don't know what to believe anymore!

[AquilaBMW]

Sorry to revive an old thread. It has come to my notice recently that there are two Strut Tube sizes in the E34 line up. Can anyone confirm this and the sizes please.

[5mall5nail5]

FWIW I had the suspension from my 92 (bilstein sports, H&R sports, with strut housings and strut tops all assembled) and put it on my 95. The 95 had small little baby covers on the nuts while the 92 had much larger dome covers. I assume this is the difference in years? I ended up swapping the entire 92 assembly in, so no matter to me.

[zubbie]

Sorry to revive an old thread. It has come to my notice recently that there are two Strut Tube sizes in the E34 line up. Can anyone confirm this and the sizes please.

I too am interested (obviously) in this. I had always assumed that all E32 and E34 strut housings in NA were the same ID.

[mr PE]

There are two different strut inserts used on the 540i - One for vehicles with the sports suspension, option S226A, and one vehicles with the M TECH suspension. The SACHS listed under version 2, is for vehicles with the latter suspension. Assuming that the other manufacturer part numbers are cross referenced, they would be for the same application. The strut insert for the sports suspension (non M TECH) vehicles is 31321138833. My vehicle has the M TECH suspension and I can confirm the dustcap and nut dimensions provided.

[AquilaBMW]

My question here is about the circumference of the Strut Tube. From what I am learning, the later cars from 7/90 on had a wider or larger diameter tube.

[5mall5nail5]

My question here is about the circumference of the Strut Tube. From what I am learning, the later cars from 7/90 on had a wider or larger diameter tube.

Possible I guess - my 92 and 95s have the same size tubes.

[bubba966]

So the Touring I bought came with a pair of Koni 8641 1224Sport strut inserts, and everything else to refresh the strut assemblies except the top mounts. And according to this

Version 2:
525iT, 530i, 540i (all years)
Dustcap - 2.5 inches
Strut Nut - 22mm (M14 nut)
PN -31 33 1 139 437
Bearing ID: ?? mm
Note: Similar to Version 1 except larger (M14) top nut and larger diameter strut insertion hole

Koni: 8641 1224Sport

I need top mount 31331139437

Pelican has Lemfoerder mounts @ $45.24 & an APA mount @ $31.00
thebmwpartstore.com has BMW mounts @ 67.16
Nothing comes up on BMA's page
Autohaus only lists a URO mount @ $28.32
ECS lists the URO @$26.57 & an MTC @ $29.66
FCP lists a mystery mount @ $58.85 & URO Pair of mounts @ $79.80
Nothing comes up on Rock Auto's page
Turner lists a mystery mount @ $54.95
RMeuropean lists Lems @ $48.72& URO @ $33.64
BAV lists a mystery mount @ $64.95

I miss anyone?

Looking then at what's available & at what pricing leads me to want to go either Lems from Pelican or factory mounts from thebmwpartstore. Anyone have enough experience with Lemfoerder top mounts to say if they're no good compared to the factory (sachs/boge?) mounts? While I'd rather pay the Lem pricing I'll go factory if they're that much better.

And that is the right mount for a Koni 8641 1224Sport, right?...

[Dinandave]

Beating a dead horse but this thread saved me alot of time and bs. Thanks op!!! If anyone wants to know the new JOM E34 specific coilover kit requires version 2 due to it having 16mm strut inserts.