e36 328 coupe suspension

[griffter]

I have a '97 328 Coupe. I'm fairly sure it's not a Sport (doesn't say so on the V5C) although it does appear to be Sport spec (black headlining, MTec skirts, full OBC, rear spoiler and 'sports' seats.

The supplying dealer (Williams, Manchester) fitted Alpina accessories from new: 17" 8J wheels, front spoiler, bootlid badge and gearknob. Allegedly it is one of 6 such Coupes and 6 saloons. The used car dealer I bought it from claims it was fitted with everything but the engine from a B3 - including the suspension. I have my doubts.

What I'm trying to work out is what suspension is fitted. I'm sure it's lowered and uprated over other Coupes I've seen. But is it Sport spec? Is it MTec? Is it Aplina?

Here's what I know:

Front shocks: black, Sachs.
Front springs: black.
Rear shocks: black, BOGE.
Rear springs: black, grey paint marks (can't remember how many marks).

As I understand it (cos this is what they did on my B9) Alpina may have retained the original struts but replaced the inserts.

Here's a side view to give an idea of ride height:



So over to the PH collective. Any ideas on what suspension is fitted? I realise I'm unlikely to get a definitive answer, but opinions welcome. Thanks.

[n_const]

Hi grifter,

Im not going to be a massive help but if you post up the last 7 digits of the vin no. i can pull up all the options fitted from new for you ?

[Tango13]

Can you post a picture of the front bumper and was it first registered in '97? The reason I ask is that I had a 328i coupe with an almost identical spec but with genuine AC Schnitzer mirrors that was used as a demo car by the local dealer.

eta
Also looking again at the picture it seems to be sitting at roughly the same height as mine did.

Edited by Tango13 on Wednesday 9th March 15:12

Edited by Tango13 on Wednesday 9th March 15:12

[GBB]

Seems to be sitting at same height as mine and I was sure I had standard coupe suspension? Perhaps I haven't?

[n_const]

standard coupe suspension is "m-tech suspension"

[andy665]

Certainly does not appear to be sitting particularly low - it may well not even be on the suspension that it had when it was first registered

[GBB]

n_const said:

standard coupe suspension is "m-tech suspension"

Thanks, Can never remember what it's called hence "coupe suspension"

IIRC the saloon had std suspension, the Coupe had m-tech suspension as standard but then there was also the option of M-Tech sport suspension? Think latter fitted to Sport models as standard? Was this lower again or just stiffer?

[Smike]

GBB said:

Thanks, Can never remember what it's called hence "coupe suspension"

IIRC the saloon had std suspension, the Coupe had m-tech suspension as standard

Although you could spec Option 704 on a saloon .....and it was also a no cost delete on a coupe


Also, as mentioned above the Avus pack shocks on the Sport were Bilsteins.

Edited by Smike on Wednesday 9th March 21:14

[griffter]

Thanks all for contributions.

I've PM'd the chassis no.; please by all means post up spec.

Pic of front end below:



Yeah I think it's a dealer 'bitsa'. I've seen two others adervtised over the years (both saloons) as I love ALPINA but couldn't buy or run a real one daily. ALPINA looks with 328 guts isn't everyone's cup of tea, but it works for me.

The ride and handling on 17's with 215/45 front tyres and 235/40 rears is pretty good. Firm and compliant - with some tram-lining - but very good response and feedback. It's not hard or harsh but is firm - much like the ALPINA way.
I'm just curious as to whether it really had the ALPINA suspension or something more run of the mill. Sounds likely it's standard M-Tech coupe.

What the photo doesn't really show (as drive is uneven) is a definite nose-down attitude.

With the 17's and little sidewall give the package works pretty well on real roads. I'll take it on track in May and find out what it's like under a little more pressure!

Thanks again. Follow ups welcome of course.

[Smike]

griffter said:

Thanks all for contributions.

I've PM'd the chassis no.; please by all means post up spec.

Pic of front end below:



Yeah I think it's a dealer 'bitsa'. I've seen two others adervtised over the years (both saloons) as I love ALPINA but couldn't buy or run a real one daily. ALPINA looks with 328 guts isn't everyone's cup of tea, but it works for me.

The ride and handling on 17's with 215/45 front tyres and 235/40 rears is pretty good. Firm and compliant - with some tram-lining - but very good response and feedback. It's not hard or harsh but is firm - much like the ALPINA way.
I'm just curious as to whether it really had the ALPINA suspension or something more run of the mill. Sounds likely it's standard M-Tech coupe.

What the photo doesn't really show (as drive is uneven) is a definite nose-down attitude.

With the 17's and little sidewall give the package works pretty well on real roads. I'll take it on track in May and find out what it's like under a little more pressure!

Thanks again. Follow ups welcome of course.

Just out of interest, get a pair of verniers and measure the diameter of the front and rear ARBs in mm

[TheEnd]

Alpina B spec cars had 9x17 rear wheels, and the 8s all round was the option package.

The alpina suspension would have been bilstein dampers and eibach metallic black springs.
The dampers would have a 7 digit part number stamped on them, and the springs had it printed but that would probably have worn off by now.

Both the Alpinas and the sports would have eccentric front wishbone bushes too

[griffter]

TheEnd said:

Alpina B spec cars had 9x17 rear wheels, and the 8s all round was the option package.

The alpina suspension would have been bilstein dampers and eibach metallic black springs.
The dampers would have a 7 digit part number stamped on them, and the springs had it printed but that would probably have worn off by now.

Both the Alpinas and the sports would have eccentric front wishbone bushes too

Thats very helpful thanks. It doesnt have alpina suspension then! Do you mean 4 x 8j alloys were an option on non alpinas?

[griffter]

Here's the spec thanks to n_const:

Order options
No. Description
255 SPORTS LEATHER STEERING WHEEL
282 LT/ALY WHEELS SPORT SPOKE STYLING II
314 HEATED WINDSCREEN WASHER NOZZLES
341 BUMPERS COMPLETELY IN BODY COLOUR
354 GREEN STRIPE WINDSCREEN
401 SLIDING/VENT ROOF, ELECTRIC
428 WARNING TRIANGLE
431 INTERIOR RR VW MIRROR W AUT ANTI-D
441 SMOKERS PACKAGE
473 ARMREST, FRONT
481 SPORT SEATS F DRIVER/FRONT PASSENGER
498 HEADRESTS IN REAR, MECHANIC. ADJUSTABLE
528 AUTOMATIC AIR RECIRCULATION CONTROL(AUC)
534 AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONING
554 ON-BOARD COMPUTER
570 STRONGER ELECTRICITY SUPPLY
687 RADIO PREPARATION
704 M SPORT SUSPENSION
775 INDIVIDUAL ROOF-LINING ANTHRACITE
812 ENGLAND VERSION
850 ADD FUEL TANK FILLING FOR EXPORT
863 EUROPE/DEALER DIRECTORY
880 ENGLISH/OWNERS HANDBOOK/SERVICE BOOKLET
962 MOTORKENNFELD

Series options
No. Description
214 AUTOMATIC STABILITY CONTROL+TRACTION
246 STEERING COLUMN ADJUSTMENT MECHANICAL
300 ZENTRALVERRIEGELUNG ELEKTRISCH (central locking)
410 WINDOW LIFTS, ELECTRIC AT FRONT
451 BEIFAHRERSITZ-HOEHENVERST.MECH (passenger seat hight adjustable)
465 THROUGH-LOAD SYSTEM
510 HEADLIGHT BEAM-THROW CONTR. F LOW BEAM
520 FOGLIGHTS
529 MICRO FILTER
542 CHECK CONTROL
556 EXTERIOR TEMPERATURE DISPLAY
564 INTERIOR LIGHT PACKAGE
806 3RD STOP LIGHT
853 LANGUAGE VERSION ENGLISH

@Tango13 - yes it's a 1997 reg.

[TheEnd]

Alpina had an accessory catalogue, so you could get the wheels, steering wheels, gearknob, stripes and spoilers at BMW dealers.

Looking at a brochure now, they did about 3 sets, 7.5x15, 8x17s, and the 8+9x17s

ALPINA Radsätze 17“Softline mit verdecktem Ventil
ALPINA Radsatz 17“
4 Leichtmetallräder 8 J x 17 H2
BMW 316i-328i, M3, Touring, Compact, Cabrio
Bestell-Nr. 36 11 163
zulässige Sommerbereifung*rundum 235/40 R 17
zulässige Winterbereifungrundum 215/45 R 17

ALPINA Radsatz 17“
2 Leichtmetallräder 8 J x 17 H2 vorn
2 Leichtmetallräder 9 J x 17 H2 hinten
BMW 316i-328i, M3, Touring,Compact, Cabrio
Bestell-Nr. 36 11 164
zulässige Sommerbereifung*vorne 235/40 R 17hinten 265/35 R 17




ALPINA Fahrwerk FE 3
2 BILSTEIN Gasdruck-Federbeine
und 2 Eibach Fahrwerksfedern vorn,
2 BILSTEIN Stoßdämpfer und
2 Eibach Fahrwerksfedern hinten
BMW 320i-325i ab 10/91 bis 6/92 Bestell-Nr. 31 00 131
BMW 320i-328i ab 6/92, Touring, Cabrio Bestell-Nr. 31 00 132

[Tango13]

Mine was a '97 plate and was almost indentical apart from the Alpina splitter on the front bumper and the mirrors, so it looks like there was a job lot all done at the same time.

They are really are a great car to drive, I just hope your one lasts a lot longer than mine did

[bababa]

griffter said:

570 STRONGER ELECTRICITY SUPPLY

This sounds exciting!
I'm guessing it just means a higher output alternator?