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Thread: Aftermarket Front Strut mounts for 95 M3?

  1. #1
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    Aftermarket Front Strut mounts for 95 M3?

    I'm in the process of planning and acquiring the parts for a complete suspension refresh on my 95 M3. As far as I can tell, there are no decent aftermarket front strut mounts. All I am finding are genuine BMW mounts for roughly $130 each.

    I thought Lemforder used to offer these, but maybe I'm mistaken.

    Does anyone know if there are any decent alternatives to the BMW mounts?

    Thanks

  2. #2
    mslevin's Avatar
    mslevin is offline Have you checked RealOEM? BMW CCA Member
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    Many companies make camber plates for these cars, which are adjustable and can be used in place of standard strut mounts. Ground Control, KW, etc all make them.

  3. #3
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    Thanks for the reply.

    If there is no better option than buying 2 OEM mounts for ~$275, I might as well look at camber plates. Good idea.

    What I was REALLY trying to do was save some money. I am primarily trying to get the stock ride back. The mounts and most of the bushings are original.

  4. #4
    mslevin's Avatar
    mslevin is offline Have you checked RealOEM? BMW CCA Member
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    Actually, this may suit your needs! https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-31336779613kt

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    Thanks for looking that up.

    I really wish that kit would work. The '95 M3 strut mounts are different than all other E36 mounts, and the Sachs mounts in that kit won't fit.

  6. #6
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    The 95 M3 was a special configuration. Thus the limited availability You may be able to use the 96 and gain more (?) that BMW updated but you may also need other new parts too to align the car.

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  8. #8
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    https://www.schmiedmann.com/en/produ...1-33-2-228-345

    Not a bad deal if you have more you can order from Schmie.

    Either you cough up for OEM or you go aftermarket camber plates. Stay away from Ground-Control. Vorshlag and TCK are great.

  9. #9
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    That's great. Thanks for the link to Schmiedmann. I didn't even know they existed. Looks like there's no way around the added expense.

    Just curious, has it always been this way with 95 M3 strut mounts? Did Lemforder never offer them for this car?
    Last edited by Cycle; 02-06-2020 at 05:55 AM.

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  11. #11
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    I was surprised that Lemforder is not a player here.


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  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gene V View Post

    I was giving KYB some serious consideration, but their part numbers for the 95 M3 are the same as the 96-99. KYB says that their SM5258 and SM5259 will fit all 95+ M3's, but this has to be an error. The left & right strut mounts on the 95 are identical to each other while 96+ have specific left and right mounts. Also, the pics of the KYB mounts look like 96+ mounts, not 95.

    Maybe this will help anyone else in the same boat.


    Quote Originally Posted by bluptgm3 View Post
    I was surprised that Lemforder is not a player here.
    You and me both!
    Last edited by Cycle; 02-06-2020 at 02:44 PM.

  13. #13
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    You could run the 1996+M3 Guide Supports, swapped L<>R.


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    Not to hijack the thread, but the prices aren't much better on the 96+ mounts. Anyone have any experience with the Corteco brand?

    https://alleuro.com/Parts/Corteco/31332227898

    Looks like RockAuto has moog....
    Last edited by Cos270; 02-07-2020 at 12:06 PM.

  15. #15
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    I have some 95's (original) that have been sitting in my garage for 15 years or more, pretty sure I kept everything anyway. Nothing wrong with them if that's what you want. Tophats, springs, etc. I'd choose camber plates however but that's your call.

  16. #16
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    Can you use ‘95 spring plates with ‘96+ strut mounts?

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cos270 View Post
    Can you use ‘95 spring plates with ‘96+ strut mounts?
    Yes, I have them on a 98M3 with H&R OE Sport Springs, and on a 328i w/1995 M3 Dinan springs.

    From H&R -
    Must use 1995 E36 M3 3.0L upper spring hat (larger than 1996-99 3.2L). Will not fit convertible. Lowers car 0.5" front, 0.75" rear.


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  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cos270 View Post
    Anyone have any experience with the Corteco brand?

    https://alleuro.com/Parts/Corteco/31332227898
    ....
    I believe Corteco is a current OE supplier.


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  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by bluptgm3 View Post
    Yes, I have them on a 98M3 with H&R OE Sport Springs, and on a 328i w/1995 M3 Dinan springs.

    From H&R -
    Must use 1995 E36 M3 3.0L upper spring hat (larger than 1996-99 3.2L). Will not fit convertible. Lowers car 0.5" front, 0.75" rear.
    Good to know. I just got the same set of springs in and plan on running them with Konis. Just wanted to make sure I only needed to get the top hats.

    Speaking of which…

    Quote Originally Posted by neverman View Post
    I have some 95's (original) that have been sitting in my garage for 15 years or more, pretty sure I kept everything anyway. Nothing wrong with them if that's what you want. Tophats, springs, etc. I'd choose camber plates however but that's your call.
    If no one else has claimed them, I'll take the plates/tophats off your hands. Would be more than happy to pay for shipping!

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by bluptgm3 View Post
    I believe Corteco is a current OE supplier.

    I've read that as long as the bearings are still good, some people just put fresh grease on them and reuse the same mounts when they swap out strut assemblies or springs. Is this advisable, or do you have to replace the strut mounts? Don't plan on tracking the car much, if ever so I don't really see the need for camber plates. Just running a stock suspension setup aside from the springs and struts.
    Last edited by Cos270; 02-14-2020 at 07:16 PM.

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