WTB used OEM Z3M front struts

[RX7ames]

I'm looking for used OEM front struts for my 1999 Z3M. I have the Koni inserts on the way. I would love to have a second set of OEM struts so I can go ahead and get them ready without disassembling the car first. Anyone have a set for a fair price plush shipping?

Thanks!

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[bluptgm3]

The Z3 “M” appears to use the same Sachs OE strut casing as the E36M3 .
Sachs produces E36M3 OEM struts for not too much money.
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...M-Front-Struts


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[s8ilver]

Never having seen E36 M3 casings up close, I was in this same boat. Had I not found Z3M casings, I might have been willing to gamble (Pre-COVID I was a pro poker player half time so I guarantee I would have gambled).

There's a set of the E36 M3 versions on eBay right now, but assume the spring stiffnesses are not suitable. Or, maybe they're close enough. I mean, H&R does one set for the entire Z3M S52/S54 line when BMW themselves had a few different versions.

OP, what is your plan for springs since you're building up complete separate units (as am I)? OE or H&R?

Oh, and be aware of the spam messages you'll get on here. I think I got 4 before I gave up and found them via FB marketplace.

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[bluptgm3]

There's a set of the E36 M3 versions on eBay right now, but assume the spring stiffnesses are not suitable.

Yah, not suggesting that a built up E36M3 strut assembly will work on a Z3 “M”, simply that the empty casing is (appears) the same. I believe that I had confirmed that the lower perch spring pads were the same, so I can safely say that the spring diameters are the same.


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[s8ilver]

Yah, not suggesting that a built up E36M3 strut assembly will work on a Z3 “M”, simply that the empty casing is (appears) the same. I believe that I had confirmed that the lower perch spring pads were the same, so I can safely say that the spring diameters are the same.

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Well aware, hence my "gamble" statement and question about plan for springs (implying that the E36 M3 springs probably won't work...at least I thought that was implied).

I'll agree that the diameters must be identical; heck, the Koni inserts show "E36 M3" on the instructions.

[bluptgm3]

Well aware, hence my "gamble" statement and question about plan for springs (implying that the E36 M3 springs probably won't work...at least I thought that was implied).

I'll agree that the diameters must be identical; heck, the Koni inserts show "E36 M3" on the instructions.

Yah, Koni inserts for the struts are same p/n.


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[s8ilver]

What's curious though is that the Z3M housings (in S52 form, at least) are stamped "M Roadster" and not "E36" nor "M3", which makes me speculate that they could be different. If the only differences were the dampers and springs (stiffnesses, not seats), seems the housings would be designated as "E36". Conversely, since the OE damper bits are crimped into the housings, I could see BMW slapping that "M Roadster" on there so they didn't inadvertently go into an M3 on the assembly line during the 1998-1999 overlap. Still, just speculation though.

[bluptgm3]

What's curious though is that the Z3M housings (in S52 form, at least) are stamped "M Roadster" and not "E36" nor "M3", which makes me speculate that they could be different. If the only differences were the dampers and springs (stiffnesses, not seats), seems the housings would be designated as "E36". Conversely, since the OE damper bits are crimped into the housings, I could see BMW slapping that "M Roadster" on there so they didn't inadvertently go into an M3 on the assembly line during the 1998-1999 overlap. Still, just speculation though.

Coupe and Roadster are same part number, M3 is different. I have to believe it is shock shaft/internals.

M3
31312228007/31312228008 1992-1995
31312226987/31312226987 1996-1999

Z3”M” Roadster
31312228417/31312228418

Z3”M” Coupe
31312228417/31312228418


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[RX7ames]

I have Koni shocks and struts and H&R springs on order. I'm just looking for junk struts up front that are no good so I can cut them up for Koni inserts. I don't need them. It would just be convenient to have them, clean them up, paint them, then get them loaded. That way my car is only down for a couple days instead of a week.

I'm totally new to the Z3 world, so maybe I'm way off in my thinking that junk struts should be easy to come by. Maybe this plan is not very practical.

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[zellamay]

It's also not that much of an advantage. The time it takes to cut and install the Koni insert is small compared to the rest of the job.

[mpire]

Drill hole in bottom of strut, drain fluid.

Put strut in vice, cut around the top with sawzall.

Its thin metal, just go around the strut till you cut the piston out.

Then grind back the cut area.

This part took me all of 15 minutes today.

I plan on pressure washing the housings, then hitting them with some paint.

Then they go into the new strut boxes and into the parts room with everything else.

[bluptgm3]

I use this Leslie tool 31500 tool to make a nice straight clean cut just below the crimps that close the strut assembly.



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[RX7ames]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm not concerned with the process taking too long. It's just that in Oregon it might rain for several days at a time. It would be convenient to have everything ready, then swap things out.

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[RX7ames]

Mod can delete. I could not find any blown OEM shocks for a reasonable price so I just took the time to cut mine and install the new shocks.

[s8ilver]

Mod can delete. I could not find any blown OEM shocks for a reasonable price so I just took the time to cut mine and install the new shocks.

Pretty darn easy, eh? Glad you got it sorted.

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[KeysCoupe]

Mod can delete. I could not find any blown OEM shocks for a reasonable price so I just took the time to cut mine and install the new shocks.

If your Koni (yellow) inserts are adjustable, adjust them a little bit stiffer than full soft. I played for a while before I hit the sweet spot.
-Donny

[bluptgm3]

If your Koni (yellow) inserts are adjustable, adjust them a little bit stiffer than full soft. I played for a while before I hit the sweet spot.
-Donny

…and running Koni single adjustable struts/shocks at full soft can damage the internal adjuster.


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[RX7ames]

If your Koni (yellow) inserts are adjustable, adjust them a little bit stiffer than full soft. I played for a while before I hit the sweet spot.
-Donny

I'm running them right in the middle. 3 clicks out of 5.

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