bmwe21.net forums

Just a Question as above, why are the front struts on a 323 better than the ones on my 316?
and is there any difference in the back end from 323 to 316 apart from disc brakes and the diff ratios?

the 323i front struts have a wider tube and the reason you need rear disks is so you dont have to have ugly drums lol - also easier to upgrade rear brakes if you get better fronts.

320/6 struts share the larger 323 bearing though and accept vented discs.

And vented discs do not fit on 316-318 struts for example?

ok that clears a few things up, Thanks.

Jeroen wrote:And vented discs do not fit on 316-318 struts for example?

???
I did not change struts in order to fit my vented discs!!

That's what I always thought, that the vented discs always fit on any E21 strut. Add spacers to the brake calipers or replace the calipers and there you go (?)

And I can't stress this too many times, if you never took your calipers apart completely for a full overhaul, especially the front ones, it's time to do that now.

so if someone wants to upgrade brakes with unique discs calipers, change to coilovers, either by gaz or home brew, there is no advantage apart from the 6cylinder model front struts having a slightly larger bearing.?

Gaz say they will only make Golds using the larger 323 type strut.

yeah they have a larger splindle for the bearing to sit on too - why did bmw make the 323i with thicker shock tubes and a bigger spindle? was it for a perfomance advantage or to cope with the extra weight?

It's only the later 316 struts that will take vented discs too, not the early ones.