bmwe21.net forums

I've got hold of some 323i large diameter front struts to build a set of coilovers.

I'd like to shorten the front struts to keep the suspension travel as best as possible,
so with that in mind I went in search of short shock options. There's only the standard size Bilstein B6 for the E21, you have to go for B8's for shorter which I'm not keen to do as its more expense and may be too firm.

There are shorted E30 B6's available, this is the info I got from Bilstein,

"The part number for the B6 shock absorber for the BMW E21 is 34-002230
The length is 706mm complete.

The part number for the B6 shock absorber for the BMW E30 is 34-001363
The length is 676mm complete."

So this would give a 30mm drop?

What are people's thoughts on this? Any experience of using shorter E30 B6's at all and will it all bolt up?
I'm assuming E21 B6's and E30 B6's will be of similar performance and firmness?

Thanks.

What about using mk1 golf inserts?

I haven't really considered them, I had assumed they would be less stiff with the MK1 golf being lighter.

Any info on sizes?

Replied on my thread. E30 B6 shocks work wonderfully and are direct fit if struts are shortened correctly

joe14 wrote:I haven't really considered them, I had assumed they would be less stiff with the MK1 golf being lighter.

Any info on sizes?

The mk1 golf is lighter than an E21 but the weight bias is at least 60% at the front, so the weight on the front suspension is very close to equal. Worth looking into anyway

The mk1 golf is lighter than an E21 but the weight bias is at least 60% at the front, so the weight on the front suspension is very close to equal. Worth looking into anyway

Oh interesting, I must look into this for sizes and prices.
The E30's will fit anyway then so I should be sorted with either of them.

Thanks for the help guys!