1990 wedge original front shocks?

[908glen]

Hi Guys

Can anyone tell me what where the original front shocks on my 1990 350i and if they are still available or does anyone have any.

Thanks Glen

[Number 7]

Possibly Koni - if so would be adjustable, but only by removing the damper itself. No idea if they are still available, but if you want to change them I'd suggest something which can be adjusted in situ.

[njhucker]

My car is 1990 build and has Konis. Not sure where to buy them

[adam quantrill]

I didn't think they were Koni originally, and also I don't think you can buy Konis for wedges any more anyway, although you can probably still get them rebuilt by Koni.

[Wedg1e]

TVR used Armstrongs in the early days but they were mostly Konis. Part number was 80-2603 for the rears IIRC.

[TA14]

Wedg1e said:

TVR used Armstrongs in the early days but they were mostly Konis. Part number was 80-2603 for the rears IIRC.

Mmmm, I'd say that there were a lot more Armstrong, FWIW.

[TA14]

Number 7 said:

Possibly Koni - if so would be adjustable, but only by removing the damper itself.

You don't have to remove the damper but it's not the easiest of adjustments.

[TA14]

adam quantrill said:

I don't think you can buy Konis for wedges any more anyway, although you can probably still get them rebuilt by Koni.

Last time I checked (2004?) Koni would still rebuild them.

[uglymug]

yep definitely Armstrong as earlier this year replaced with original stock from fleabay.

[njhucker]

They may have used different makes, but my car, which was built in 1990 and registered in 1991, definitely has it's original shocks and they are Konis. It is also interesting to note that my Taimar when I bought it in 2002 Had Konis, which were original, and had lasted 23 years. I changed them for AVO because I wanted easy adjustment, and in 11 Years I am already on the second set of AVOs. Koni may be difficult to adjust (as you have to take them off and twist them)but they are quality.

[Wedg1e]

TA14 said:

Mmmm, I'd say that there were a lot more Armstrong, FWIW.

Ah, well I was going by a road test report of the 350i that said they were now fitting Konis: on that basis there would have been more cars built after that point with Konis than without... or so I thought

[Convert]

My 88 350i has Konis, but I've got a pair of NOS Armstrongs in the garage (£30 from the flea a couple of years ago)

[Mr Tank]

Hi

Early Tasmins had Armstrongs up to the Series 1 350i by September 84 at the same time as the 390 SE was made the konis were fitted by the factory. So by the time of the Series 2 350i Konis were fitted!

Andy

p.s. Steve if you want to part with the Armstrongs I would be happy to part with some beer tokens!

[black_350i]

Hi all,

as it seems mine was fitted with SPAX originally. It is a MkI made in April '85.
I think I even got a letter from SPAX reading they did manufacture the dampers for these cars at that time.
This is what I need for the registration as a historical car in the near future, so I hope it is true;-)
KONI stated they had no paperwork on the early 80s anymore.
I guess TVR may have fitted dampers of different brands to any car individually though.
Does anybody know if there were "official options" at that time, or was it "special orders"?

best regards
Henning

PS: The dampers are G240 at the front and G243 at the rear.
Mine is a continental LHD version -I cannot see why this should make a difference, but who knows.

[TA14]

Mr Tank said:

Early Tasmins had Armstrongs up to the Series 1 350i by September 84 at the same time as the 390 SE was made the konis were fitted by the factory. So by the time of the Series 2 350i Konis were fitted!

Although I had an '87 350i with Armstrongs.

[TA14]

black_350i said:

as it seems mine was fitted with SPAX originally.

Not as far as I'm aware.

black_350i said:

a letter from SPAX reading they did manufacture the dampers for these cars at that time.

Yes, that's correct but only as an aftermarket fitment - they were not know for being at the top of the preferred list except for price.

[JVaughan]

sorry to hijack this, but what about 400SE's ? mine's a 1991/92, standard factory springs and dampers, replaced with standard items in 1998.

[Mr Tank]

Hi

In reality the factory fitted what ever they could get there hands on at times so things changed, then they would change back as and when supplies became avaliable of the prefered item!

Andy

[Number 7]

Fairly sure my '89 400 had konis

[JVaughan]

so they could be pretty much anything ... had a quick look, and no visible labels on them, rear ones are red in colour but thats about it ... ho hum.... time to get the credit card out !