E3 Front Bilstein Shock Absorber Lengths

E3-3.0Si

E3-3.0Si

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I bought a pair of front Bilstein shock absorbers from Walloth and Nesch a few years ago in preparation for my 1977 3.0Si's restoration which is currently ongoing, and you can read about here: https://e9coupe.com/forum/threads/sierrabeige-1977-3-0si-restoration-in-the-uk.39803/

The part number listed by W&N was 31321114479, which is the same part number as E9 front shocks. However, the workshop have told me that the Bilsteins I have are too long, as you can see from the attached photos (mine are the ones on the left in the photos). The shock absorbers on the right of the photos are from an early E12 based E24 coupe, part number 31321124932. The guys in the workshop have said that these are the correct length, but it seems these are not available any more.

I've done a bit of research and found that the correct part number for E3 front Bilsteins is 31321114478, but I can't find any for sale anywhere. I have found that E12 M535i front Bilsteins are still available (part number 31321124930 which was superseded by 31321124929).

My question is this; has anybody fitted E12 M535i front shock absorbers to their E3? Or is there another solution?

Shocks 1.jpg

Shocks 2.jpg
 
The 1st step is to identify your strut tubes: E9/early E3 -or- late E3 -or- E12/early E24? Also, be aware that the gland nuts may be an issue. There are threads here on the forums pertaining to your issue and I'm sure others will chime in...
 
Baikallackierung said:
The 1st step is to identify your strut tubes: E9/early E3 -or- late E3 -or- E12/early E24? Also, be aware that the gland nuts may be an issue. There are threads here on the forums pertaining to your issue and I'm sure others will chime in...
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Excellent, thank you. I think that given the car is a January 1977 E3 then it should, in theory, have late E3 strut tubes. But - and it's a big but - over the last 45 years there's every chance that they've been changed for something else. The fact that the workshop have found that early E24 Bilsteins fit then that would indicate that those are the strut tubes I have......
 
From the Orange Parts book, even thought the strut changed for MY 74 e3s with the longer control arms, the gland nut stayed at 50mm. Check your gland nut, the ID of the strut tube should be 48.55mm or very close. E12 is definitely different, I have an e9 strut insert I can measure later today.
 
HB Chris said:
16.75” or 42.55cm for stock e9 Bilstein with shock standing on floor to bottom of gland nut/yellow shock body.
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Excellent, thank you. It seems that there were three different types of E3 front strut and that from summer 1976 they were the same as E12 struts. I think thats what I’ve got, and that the earlier cars had struts that were the same length as E9s
 
HB Chris said:
10mm shorter sounds like e12 especially with the 48mm nut.
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Yes that's what I'm thinking too. I've asked around and it seems that Bilstein part number P36-0326 is the correct one, as the front struts changed to E12 type in July 1976. This equates to BMW part number 31321124929, which is listed as E12 M535i so I think that we've solved the conundrum now. Next step is ordering the parts and trial fitting them for size....
 
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