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Thread: KONI Struts E36 (M3/328is) part numbers confusion

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    KONI Struts E36 (M3/328is) part numbers confusion

    Ok, so I understand that the fronts are always a different part number from the rears because they are obviously different parts.

    What I don't understand is why there are to be two different part numbers for seemingly the same front struts. What is the difference between the two??

    The part numbers in question are:

    8741-1272 Sport

    and

    8641-1372 Sport

    Here's a link to the results that show both options when I enter my car info (1997 328is) on the KONI site:
    KONI Struts for 1997 BMW 3-Series


    The 8741-1272 option is more expensive and appears to be only for the 3-series, rather than the M3, whereas the 8641-1372 seem to only be for the M3.
    My confusion is that I thought the struts for the E36 M3 were interchangeable with all E36 3-series. Am I wrong? If so, what is the difference?

    My goal is to upgrade my suspension to get better handling for street driving. I don't need coilovers. I just want a quality set of Konis with either H&R Sport Springs or H&R OE Sport Springs. I realize I'm asking alot here, but which part number should I go with for the KONI fronts? I've already bought the rear KONI 8240-1115 Sport Struts and just need the fronts. All other advice on suspension upgrades will be appreciated, but I'd like to focus on the struts here.

    Thank you!

  2. #2
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    M3 are inserts, i believe the 328 is the whole strut

  3. #3
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    That would explain the price difference, but I don't understand why anyone would want to use the inserts. Just doesn't make sense to me. Thank you for the reply.

  4. #4
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    m3 has sway bar tabs on the shocks, 328 has them mounted on the control arms

  5. #5
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    An insert is less expensive to manufacture than a whole strut. Why the non-M variants are full struts is a mystery. I'd prefer the M units to be full struts as well. Go Bilstein.


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  6. #6
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    So I bought the set of four with the 8741-1272 in the front and have another question:

    Can M3 sway bar end links be used with these without having to weld anything?

  7. #7
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    m3 sway links are to be used with the m3 struts with those tabs. If you got non-m struts those tabs would not be there. So, no.

  8. #8
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    03 zhp, 97 e36m3, 04 zhp
    From the looks of it, 1272 has the tab that will allow you to run longer ///M links.

  9. #9
    Join Date
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    KONI Struts E36 (M3/328is) part numbers confusion

    Not sure about the use of 328 End Links with M3 front Sway/Roll bar. Hope fully the bar geometry is correct and you have the clearances you need.

    Went the other way - M3 struts on a 328 and the bar interfered with the AC compressor, couldn't attach M3 links.

    Typically M3 shocks/struts are valves differently than 328 shocks/struts.

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Last edited by bluptgm3; 06-01-2017 at 09:17 PM.

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