E36 Rear Shocks

[bodhi]

Evening folks.

I've recently bought an E36 328i SE, and it generally seems to be in excellent working order, apart from a leaking shock absorber at the drivers side rear. I want to get this replaced ASAP however what are my options as far as new shocks are concerned? Am I as well sticking with OE shocks, or would something like Bilstein's B4 be a better idea? The car is a 1996 Saloon, and I have no idea if it has the M-Tec Suspension. Is there any way of checking?

I plan on uprating the top mounts whilst I'm at it.

[Shropshiremike]

bodhi said:

Evening folks.

I've recently bought an E36 328i SE, and it generally seems to be in excellent working order, apart from a leaking shock absorber at the drivers side rear. I want to get this replaced ASAP however what are my options as far as new shocks are concerned? Am I as well sticking with OE shocks, or would something like Bilstein's B4 be a better idea? The car is a 1996 Saloon, and I have no idea if it has the M-Tec Suspension. Is there any way of checking?

I plan on uprating the top mounts whilst I'm at it.

If you're fitting uprated mounts may as well get the Z3 reinforcement plates at the same time for the small cost that they are

[JimexPL]

I put Bilstein B4s on my GFs 323i SE. Massive improvement over the 110,000 mile originals. Don't know how they would compare with genuine OE spec, but they were far cheaper. The shock body is similar in size to OE but the piston rod diameter is larger.
Combined with Eibach sport springs (which lowered the front about 1" and kept the sagging rear at a similar height) the car feels transformed.

[8Tech]

There are proper rear strut upper mount reinforcements available through eBay.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...