e36 M3 springs: OEM vs. Dinan vs. H+R OE Sport (sachs dampers)

[bmwstephen]

When you guys are swapping out your suspension, make sure you get the thinner spring pads. Those made a big difference for me even on stock suspension

[RFBM3]

When you guys are swapping out your suspension, make sure you get the thinner spring pads. Those made a big difference for me even on stock suspension

Thanks, can you tell us what you mean and where to get those? I know you can get a 5mm (v. 15mm) for the rear but what about the front? Turner has a 3mm but I don't know what the stock one is or whether that's for the lower and uppee part of the spring. At this point I want to fight for every millimeter! Thank you.

[bluptgm3]

Turner has a 3mm but I don't know what the stock one is or whether that's for the lower and uppee part of the spring.

95 M3 Spring “Hat”
UPR SPRING PLATE 31332227348
SPRING PAD UPR 3MM 31331128523
Spring pad lower 3MM 31331124322

96+ M3 Spring “Hat”
UPR SPRING PLATE 31332227903
SPRING PAD UPR 3MM 31332227902
Canadian cars SPRING PAD UPR 9MM 31332227901
Spring pad lower 3MM 31331124322

Rear Spring Pads
SPRING PAD LOWER 33531135420
UPR SPRING PAD 5MM 33531136385
UPR SPRING PAD 7,5MM 33531136386
UPR SPRING PAD 10MM 33531136387
UPR SPRING PAD 15MM 33531094754
UPR SPRING PAD 21,5MM 33531091599

[RFBM3]

95 M3 Spring “Hat”
UPR SPRING PLATE 31332227348
SPRING PAD UPR 3MM 31331128523

96+ M3 Spring “Hat”
UPR SPRING PLATE 31332227903
SPRING PAD UPR 3MM 31332227902
Canadian cars SPRING PAD UPR 9MM 31332227901

Now we are onto something here. 3mm v 9mm is nearly .25". That is significant for what i'm trying to do.

** Edited because I got confused. But I think I understand. 901 is the thicker one which I definitely don't want and 902 is the thinner one I want for my 1997 yes? And it looks like the lowers are only available in one size. Is that also correct?

[bluptgm3]

Yes, as I recall, that is correct. The US cars never got the ‘901’.

[RFBM3]

Yes, as I recall, that is correct. The US cars never got the ‘901’.

But it's readily available and may have been accidentally put on with mine. 31 33 1 128 523 shows as the default one when you go to ECS. It says it fits my car , but it shouldn't because that's the '95 one.

[bluptgm3]

31 33 1 128 523 shows as the default one when you go to ECS. It says it fits my car , but it shouldn't because that's the '95 one.

RealOEM.com is your friend.

When ordering parts, use the last seven characters of the VIN in realOEM.com and lift part numbers from the parts diagrams.
If just browsing, the E36 is in the ‘Classic’ catalog.
Do not rely on vendor websites for determining the part requirements.

[RFBM3]

RealOEM.com is your friend.

When ordering parts, use the last seven characters of the VIN in realOEM.com and lift part numbers from the parts diagrams.
If just browsing, the E36 is in the ‘Classic’ catalog.
Do not rely on vendor websites for determining the part requirements.

It sure is my friend! Love that site. Unfortunately, my mechanic's apparently never heard of it...

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You can see that he put the 9mm ones on by comparing it to the proper 3mm one I now have. Note how much thicker the one on it now is and the fact that it has two dots, versus one dot for the 3mm. I was suspicious that mistake was made and now I have confirmation. The 9mms shouldn't even be legal to sell here as they weren't even for our U.S. market cars, lol. Unbelievable.

The good news is there goes 1/4 inch. So now, even if the Dinans are only 1/4 inch, we just lost 1/2 inch, which should do the trick in making me feel a lot better.

Anyway, I owe bmwstephen a beer because I never would have even thought of that otherwise. Thanks my brother. You have to love the knowledge on these forums.

The struts are now with another mechanic for spring and pad swap. I should get them on by next weekend. Stay tuned!

[RFBM3]

Also note the length difference between a new set of 1996+ springs and a new set of Dinans, which confirms what the OP observed with his springs. I find it hard to believe they only lower the car .25" but for right now, that's what I'm assuming is going to occur (1/2" up front in my case). FYI, I also got the thinnest rear upper spring pads (5mm).

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[RND1]

Didn't even know those thicker spring pads existed. The ones I took off my car are like 1/16" thick. That's why your's looked like an Audi Allroad lol.

[RFBM3]

Didn't even know those thicker spring pads existed. The ones I took off my car are like 1/16" thick. That's why your's looked like an Audi Allroad lol.

What's really unfortunate is my mechanic is a great independent BMW mechanic who has done excellent work for me in the past. So I'm really not sure how to handle this. I want to see how the car looks after I correct everything before I decide what to do.

[propcar]

Also note the length difference between a new set of 1996+ springs and a new set of Dinans, which confirms what the OP observed with his springs. I find it hard to believe they only lower the car .25" but for right now, that's what I'm assuming is going to occur (1/2" up front in my case). FYI, I also got the thinnest rear upper spring pads (5mm).

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My impression (without ever doing measurements etc myself) from reading on measurements like this in the past. Is that free length of the springs will not directly correlate to static ride height of the suspension do to the preloading of the spring once assembled. Perhaps someone can confirm with more experience.

[RFBM3]

My impression (without ever doing measurements etc myself) from reading on measurements like this in the past. Is that free length of the springs will not directly correlate to static ride height of the suspension do to the preloading of the spring once assembled. Perhaps someone can confirm with more experience.

That is my impression also. If it were true, the Dinans would be dropping the car 2" over stock, which we know is not the case.

[bluptgm3]

Front of a 328 on M3 Bilstien/Dinan springs w/16” wheels/225-50R16 tires.

[Hagasan41]

Also note the length difference between a new set of 1996+ springs and a new set of Dinans, which confirms what the OP observed with his springs. I find it hard to believe they only lower the car .25" but for right now, that's what I'm assuming is going to occur (1/2" up front in my case). FYI, I also got the thinnest rear upper spring pads (5mm).

20250426_092152.jpg20250426_092412.jpg

Looking forward to your result's as I also have new Sachs dampers and Dinan springs along with all new OEM washers, bolts, nuts, pads and other hardware. I see you went with the 5mm rear spring pads.

I took a quick measurement and verified with RealOEM and my dealership that the 7.5mm spring pads are what the car came with. I wonder if the 5mm option will still maintain a similar OEM rake but just a ~1/2” lower all around with the Dinan springs. I appreciate you taking the time to share your results as that YT video really didn’t share much when I started doing research.

[RFBM3]

You sir, are a hero! Here's how we compare right now, pre-Dinan swap

Floor to fender lip - You: 24" Me: 26.5"

Rim bottom to fender lip - You: 21" Me: 24"

Rim center to fender lip - You: 13" Me 14.5"

So depending on where we measure from, I am (was) riding 1.5 - 3" higher than you. Interesting! We have different tire sizes. You have P225/50R16s, and mine is on the stock E36 P225/45R17s. Per Tire Rack, your tire diameter is about 24.9". Mine is 25", so in that respect, we're about the same when it comes to overall tire diameter. So just going floor to lip, to be safe, you're still a full 2.5" lower than I am.

My independent mechanic's mistake accounted for at least 6mm (roughly .25") but even factoring that in, your car dropped more than 1/4", presuming we are starting from the same "stock" ride height. As I said in an earlier post, I suspect "stock" as Dinan defines it is based on something other than a bone stock 1996+ M3. The only thing throwing a monkey wrench into my dreams of a nice low sleek M3 with a creamy dreamy stock-like ride like you enjoy is that Dakar sample posted above. That thing still rides quite high, borderline Allroad like mine is now. I'd take that, of course, but I wouldn't be 100% happy. Maybe 85%, lol! But there could be other factors at play, such as the 9mm upper spring pad or the fact that his springs were brand new. Did yours drop as the springs settled? Mine hasn't budged .0001mm, so I think that may be a myth. I dunno.

[bmwstephen]

Here's my contribution albeit it is a 1995 so suspension is a little more bespoke.

• Springs (stock): Front-31332227836. Rear-33539067378
• Front Spring Perch: stock e90 aluminum "drop hat"-3133676409
• Reinforcement Plates: 31312489795 (did not come in OBD1 cars originally) probably added back 2mm
• Spring pads: 3mm-31331128523, and 5mm rear-33531136385
• Struts/shocks: OEM Sach all around
• Tires: Michelin PS4S 225/45/17 all around (squared)

my setup allows for an even drop-all around while retaining stock alignment, travel/comfort, slightly better handling all around.

Front Floor to Fender: ~25"
Front Center to fender lip: ~15"
Rear Floor to Quarter: ~25"
Rear Center to Quarter: ~15"

(excuse the dirty wheels)

[RFBM3]

Here's my contribution albeit it is a 1995 so suspension is a little more bespoke.

• Springs (stock): Front-31332227836. Rear-33539067378
• Front Spring Perch: stock e90 aluminum "drop hat"-3133676409
• Reinforcement Plates: 31312489795 (did not come in OBD1 cars originally) probably added back 2mm
• Spring pads: 3mm-31331128523, and 5mm rear-33531136385
• Struts/shocks: OEM Sach all around
• Tires: Michelin PS4S 225/45/17 all around (squared)

my setup allows for an even drop-all around while retaining stock alignment, travel/comfort, slightly better handling all around.

Front Floor to Fender: ~25"
Front Center to fender lip: ~15"
Rear Floor to Quarter: ~25"
Rear Center to Quarter: ~15"

(excuse the dirty wheels)

Thanks. Your wheel center to fender lip is actually around 13.7", as Bentley calls for measurement from the center. Man you guys are low, I'm jealous :-P. Wish I could've used the E90 drop hats and 5mm rear pad and been done with it, but us '96+ guys get hosed out of that option.

[RFBM3]

Looking forward to your result's as I also have new Sachs dampers and Dinan springs along with all new OEM washers, bolts, nuts, pads and other hardware. I see you went with the 5mm rear spring pads.

I took a quick measurement and verified with RealOEM and my dealership that the 7.5mm spring pads are what the car came with. I wonder if the 5mm option will still maintain a similar OEM rake but just a ~1/2” lower all around with the Dinan springs. I appreciate you taking the time to share your results as that YT video really didn’t share much when I started doing research.

I will be posting my rake too but 2.5mm isn’t even a 10th of an inch so I don't think it's gonna have too much impact on the rake. But I'm starting to be concerned that thick front pad raised the front end more than 6 mm due to some physics I'm not thinking about.

But the back springs are pretty easy to change. So if it looks strange at all I can just go to the 7.5mm without too much fuss.

** Edit - I still have my original rear upper spring pads that came with the car from the factory. They are the 5mm ones ending in 385. But eyeballing it, I think my mechanic put thicker ones on the back too. He must have really thought I needed a lot of padding!

[RFBM3]

I will be posting my rake too but 2.5mm isn’t even a 10th of an inch so I don't think it's gonna have too much impact on the rake. But I'm starting to be concerned that thick front pad raised the front end more than 6 mm due to some physics I'm not thinking about.

But the back springs are pretty easy to change. So if it looks strange at all I can just go to the 7.5mm without too much fuss.

** Edit - I still have my original rear upper spring pads that came with the car from the factory. They are the 5mm ones ending in 385. But eyeballing it, I think my mechanic put thicker ones on the back too. He must have really thought I needed a lot of padding!

A few photo updates. Dinan springs on Sachs struts ready to go...

20250429_164146.jpg

Why it's posting that sideways I don't know but ok. I tried to fix it but quickly ran out of patience. Anyway, here is proof 100% positive that my mechanic installed the rare Canada-only "901" upper spring pads...

20250429_164755.jpg

Look at how thick those f'ers are. Wow. I'm definitely going to ask how he got them and how he figured they were appropriate here. Compare how much thinner the proper 3mm pads are...

20250429_165752.jpg

And finally, here's pictures of my OEM 5'' rear upper spring pads...

20250429_164830.jpg

It's interesting that some cars apparently got 7.5mms from the factory? I wonder how they decided what cars got which ones. Anyone know?

[RFBM3]

Here's the Part No. on the 901s...

20250429_164745.jpg

[RND1]

Much better with the thin spring pad. When are you installing them? Look forward to seeing the result.

[RFBM3]

Much better with the thin spring pad. When are you installing them? Look forward to seeing the result.

I think on Saturday morning. I'll post before & after pictures and the measurements. No matter how it turns out, good or bad. I think I'm going to get some good drop though.

[propcar]

One thing to also keep in mind that may help visually with stock wheels is to throw on some spacers. Front can easily take something like 12-15mm. May need to get longer wheel bolts or convert to studs (what I did).

[RFBM3]

As a minor update, I confirmed with Dinan in writing that the springs do work with the stock Sachs struts. I figured they would but I made 1,000% sure. They recommend aligning the car per the Dinan specs in the PDF instructions on the webpage for the springs due to the lowered ride height.



https://documents.dinancars.com/6697...defa86d915.pdf