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!
M3 are inserts, i believe the 328 is the whole strut
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.
m3 has sway bar tabs on the shocks, 328 has them mounted on the control arms
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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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?
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.
From the looks of it, 1272 has the tab that will allow you to run longer ///M links.
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.
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Last edited by bluptgm3; 06-01-2017 at 09:17 PM.
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