» Site Navigation | | » Recent Threads | | | | | | | | | | | 12-25-2015, 02:08 AM | #1 | Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Tennessee Posts: 3 | So I need new shocks and struts on my 1996 BMW 318ti. What should I do? Hello. I bought a 96 318ti. I have done a little work to it and after I do the shocks and stuts, it should ride like a beauty. Anyways, so far, me and my dad have replaced the rotors and the drivers side control arm. The ball joints were really bad on the drivers side and it was loose. This caused a humongous awful vibration sound. So, we fixed it up and now we don't have the noise anymore. But, the shocks and struts do need to be replaced. They are nearly 20 years old, worn out, and it rides pretty rough. So, I did want to replace them. I want to put quality parts into it. I heard Bilsteins were the best, but I am not sure if I should get them? I was interested in a shock/strut that is good for daily driving, but it still has the ability to handle sporty driving. I was thinking about putting M3 struts and shocks in there, because I have heard how comfortable it is to drive one daily and how well they handle too. But I don't know if M3 stuts and shocks would fit. Or should I just get upgraded Bilstein shocks and struts made specifically for the 318ti? Thanks. | | | 12-25-2015, 06:12 PM | #2 | Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Ithaca, NY, USA Posts: 147 | I put Bilstein Sport shocks and H&R Sport springs on mine, and I'm very happy with the result. Slightly lower and slightly stiffer than stock, but still reasonable for normal driving. If you get M3 shocks, I think you'll also have to replace a few fiddly bits like the control arm bushings and the front sway bar links. Also, the M3 shocks/springs are designed to hold up the weight of the M3 motor, which is almost twice the size of ours - so your front end might be a little high. I'm sure you can make it work, but there's already a good selection of high-quality direct-fit after-market shocks, so I don't see the point. | | | 12-25-2015, 06:22 PM | #3 | Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Tennessee Posts: 3 | Quote: Originally Posted by Dr Shuffles I put Bilstein Sport shocks and H&R Sport springs on mine, and I'm very happy with the result. Slightly lower and slightly stiffer than stock, but still reasonable for normal driving. If you get M3 shocks, I think you'll also have to replace a few fiddly bits like the control arm bushings and the front sway bar links. Also, the M3 shocks/springs are designed to hold up the weight of the M3 motor, which is almost twice the size of ours - so your front end might be a little high. I'm sure you can make it work, but there's already a good selection of high-quality direct-fit after-market shocks, so I don't see the point. | Alright. Thanks and Merry Christmas. I will be getting Bilsteins. | | | 12-26-2015, 03:43 AM | #4 | Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Posts: 1,364 | If you don't want to go to the expense of replacing the springs, Bilstein HD shocks are the ones you want to use with your OEM springs. HD's and Sports are valved the same and are about 20% stiffer that stock shocks. I like the HD's a lot with my stock springs. Do not put Sport Bilsteins with stock shocks, nor HD's with lowered springs. | | | 12-28-2015, 09:50 PM | #5 | Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fl Posts: 1,353 | If you're sticking with stock springs (or even if you're upgrading to a sport spring) go with Koni yellows. They are dampening adjustable and offer a better ride than Bilstien Sports or HD's when dialed down. They are also the hands down favorite for most autocrossers. __________________ SUPPORT 318ti.org! CLICK THE LINK ABOVE! Hosting a forum like this is not free. 318ti.org is one of the best BMW forums on the web because it is member supported, not vendor supported. The cost to become a Supporter is a nominal $10.00... A YEAR! DO IT! NOW! www.BimmerBum.com ALL NEW! 318ti Specific Parts For Sale www.facebook.com/BimmerBum BMWCCA #132203 95 318ti Club Sport 98 318ti Active S50 Swap | | | 12-30-2015, 02:03 PM | #6 | Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 39 | Koni Yellows? Is there any other model name with those? I'm looking for shocks too. | | | 01-03-2016, 07:11 PM | #7 | Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fl Posts: 1,353 | Quote: Originally Posted by Little Green Car Koni Yellows? Is there any other model name with those? I'm looking for shocks too. | I have pre-assembled quite a few suspensions for Z3 folks and a couple for our ti's. My preference is the Koni's. It looks like Koni is only showing rear shocks for the ti chassis right now but I would not let that stop you. I would probably use front Koni's intended for the 1.9 Z3 and the rear shocks for the ti. If you need more help let me know. https://www.facebook.com/BimmerBum/p...type=3&theater __________________ SUPPORT 318ti.org! CLICK THE LINK ABOVE! Hosting a forum like this is not free. 318ti.org is one of the best BMW forums on the web because it is member supported, not vendor supported. The cost to become a Supporter is a nominal $10.00... A YEAR! DO IT! NOW! www.BimmerBum.com ALL NEW! 318ti Specific Parts For Sale www.facebook.com/BimmerBum BMWCCA #132203 95 318ti Club Sport 98 318ti Active S50 Swap | | | 01-03-2016, 10:53 PM | #8 | Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Westchester, NY Posts: 13 | id go with konis, they're great. | | | | Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Thread Tools | | Display Modes | Linear Mode | Posting Rules | You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | |