will e30 bisteins fit e21

[quinn_656]

as front e21 bilstein B8's (the shorter ones for lowering springs) are NLA will e30 ones suffice. some guys on other forums have suggested it.

anyone got any information on the matter? Apparently Bilstein say that they measure up similiar.

[rob0r]

E30 shocks are about 1.5" to 2" shorter than E21 shocks, but are the same width. I have E30 bilstein B6 shocks fitted in shortened strut housings so I can go lower without compromising shocks. I might fit even shorter shocks somewhere down the line, Saxo/AX/106 shocks are the same diameter but even shorter then E30 shocks and there are a wide range of Bilsteins for them. It might also be worth checking if Gaz/RPM can supply you some shocks in E21 or shorter lengths, they do them for E30s.

See the bottom of this page for more info on E30 shocks.
http://www.bmwe21.net/forum/viewtopic.p ... 5&start=90

If you didn't want to shorten your housing then perhaps you could get a spacer made up to fit in the bottom of the strut housing so the E30 shock fits as it should.

[quinn_656]

cheers i will look into the spacer idea.

will i need to get different locking collars for the tops?

what do you make of the spax shocks they are adjustable and come with shorter rods for lowering?

[rob0r]

B6/B8s are actually much thinner than the 51mm strut housing, they use a very beefy shock collar to locate and secure the shocks correctly, they should come with the shocks, either way I think E21/E30 collars are the same. My E21 struts are fitted with E30 billies and collars.

I had spax a long time ago and I didn't think they were that bad. My spax are now fitted to pistonheaders car, and I think Murran has spax too? Some people hate them though!

[quinn_656]

have you any idea were i could get a good used set of e30 b8's?

[rob0r]

e30zone.net

[quinn_656]

why would people hate the spax shocks?

[e21-Mark]

I don't hate them but they were never much use on 2002's. Mainly because the oil capacity was too small, so they got hot, and just wouldn't work properly. I had them on my 323 when I bought it though and they did the job.

[quinn_656]

would the new krypton gas type shocks be a better effort?

[e21-Mark]

I've no idea tbh. They're pretty reasonably priced though iirc.

[quinn_656]

what are the problems with lowering (say 60mm) on the ordinary B6 bilsteins?