When you shop for BMW E30 coilovers, the size of the front strut tube decides which kit fits. Most are 45 mm or 51 mm. Some kits need welding and some slide in. Below, every E30 kit we carry is grouped by strut size, with BC Racing first.
Not sure what your car has? Call 1-800-460-9106 and we will help you check.
Start with the strut tube
1982 to 1994
Animated illustration. It shows where coilovers sit on a car, not your exact kit. Depending on the car and the kit, coilovers can lean forward or back or stand straight up, and some cars use a separate spring and shock in the rear. Your ride height depends on the kit and how it is set up.
On most cars, the year decides the kit. On an E30, these three things decide it.
Strut size
Kit names say whether they fit a 45 mm or 51 mm front strut. One Bilstein kit is for a 55 mm strut. Confirm yours before you order.
Weld-in or insert
Many E30 kits need welding at the front strut housing. Ksport also sells insert kits that slide in, and KW includes spindles (the part the front hub mounts on).
True rear or separate rear spring
True rear kits put the spring on the shock. Others keep the spring and shock apart, like the factory setup, as Fortune Auto's kit names say.
None of this is hard once you know what you have. If the car has been modified before, the parts on it may not match the factory, so look before you buy.
BC Racing and the E30
BR and DS on four BC E30 kits
BC Racing coilovers for the E30 come in two series: BR and DS. All four BC E30 kits come in both. Two are weld-in kits named "Extreme by Default," so ask us about ride height first. Free shipping on BC Racing kits in the continental US.
KW makes a 1984 to 1993 kit for the coupe, sedan and convertible with a 51 mm strut. It includes spindles and fits cars with or without ABS. There is an M3 kit too.
Fortune Auto kits are hand-assembled in Powhatan, Virginia. The 3 Series and M3 kits both mount the rear spring and shock apart, and the front needs welding.
Ksport has eight kits: 45 mm and 51 mm versions, insert or welded, separate or true rear, plus three for the M3.
Street car, track car or show car
Weekend driver
Keep the drop moderate and the damping soft, which suits a car that sees rough roads.
Kits to look at: BC Racing BR, Bilstein B12, Ksport insert style, KW
Club racer
NASA's Spec E30 race class requires specific Bilstein shocks, so a class car must follow those rules. For a track build outside a spec class, ask us about the welded and true rear options.
Kits to look at: BC Racing DS, Ksport true rear, Fortune Auto, Feal
Show car, low stance
For a show stance, two of BC's weld-in kits are named "Extreme by Default." Talk to us about ride height before ordering.
Kits to look at: BC Racing BR or DS (weld-in), Ksport
Every E30 kit, grouped by strut size
Kits are grouped by the strut size in each kit name. Open a card for price and details.
Notes in BC kit names: "Extreme by Default" means the kit ships as BC's Extreme Low version as standard, built shorter for a lower drop.
E30 M3 coilovers
Models named: E30 M3
Check first: Kit years for the M3 differ by brand, from 1985 to 1992. BC and Fortune Auto kits need welding at the front. Ksport sells insert, welded and true rear versions, and KW includes spindles.
BC Racing kitThe BC Racing coilover kit listed for the 1988 to 1993 BMW 3 Series. Photo: BC Racing.
Check first: Measure or confirm your front strut first. BC names its 51 mm kit "Extreme by Default," so ask us about ride height. Bilstein lists its kits by model and year.
BC Racing kitThe BC Racing coilover kit listed for the 1985 to 1987 BMW 3 Series. Photo: BC Racing.
Check first: BC Racing makes two 45 mm kits. One is a true rear coilover kit, and the other is a weld-in kit named "Extreme by Default." Ksport's 45 mm kits both need welding.
Check first: These kit names do not list a 45 or 51 mm strut. Bilstein's 1991 to 1992 318i kit lists a 55 mm strut instead. Fortune Auto's kit needs welding at the front.
Model and year for Bilstein, weld-in or insert for Ksport
BR, DS
45 mm strut
1982 to 1993
True rear or separate, for BC and Ksport
BR, DS
Other kits
1982 to 1994
No strut size in kit name
Before you buy: what E30 owners run into
These are the problems E30 owners report most often, from owner forums, recalls and service bulletins, and what each one means for your coilovers.
Tired rear subframe and trailing arm bushings
E30, 1982 to 1993
The E30 Zone wiki says worn rear subframe bushes cause a sloppy rear, a four-wheel-steer feel and knocking over bumps or on gear changes. Most are now over 30 years old, and their inner sleeves often rust to the chassis. Coilovers cannot control a rear moving on worn rubber, and the bushings set rear alignment.
Before you install: Inspect the subframe and trailing arm bushings before the install, and budget extra time if they need pressing out, since seized sleeves are common.
Rear camber and toe change when lowered
E30, 1982 to 1993
E30 Zone members report inner edge tire wear and note that lowering adds negative rear camber and toe-in on the semi-trailing arm rear. The rear camber has no factory adjustment. A big drop can leave rear camber and toe outside spec, and an alignment alone may not bring it back.
Before you install: Keep the drop moderate on a street car, or plan for offset trailing arm bushings or a correction kit, then get a full four-wheel alignment.
Worn front control arm bushings
E30, 1982 to 1993
BMW parts specialists say worn front control arm bushings are a common E30 problem. Symptoms include steering wobble at certain speeds, tramlining and a vague feel. Worn ball joints can cause a shake under braking that feels like warped rotors. These are easy to blame on new coilovers, but they will still be there after the install.
Before you install: Check the front control arm bushings and ball joints for play while the front end is apart, and replace them before the alignment.
BMW E30 history
Built from 1982 to 1994 under one chassis code
BMW built the E30 from September 1982 to February 1994. It was the first 3 Series built as both a two-door and a four-door sedan.
1982
Production beginsBMW starts building the E30 in September. Ksport, Feal and BC's 45 mm true rear kit start at 1982.
1985
BMW's own convertibleAfter Baur's Topcabriolet, BMW launched its own convertible.
1986
The M3BMW's history calls the M3 a new trendsetter from 1986.
1987
The TouringA wagon joined the range.
Sedans, coupes, convertibles and the M3 share one chassis code. This page groups their kits by strut size.
E30 coilover questions
Does my E30 have a 45 mm or 51 mm front strut?
It depends on the car and year. Measure the strut tube, or call us with your model and build date and we will help you check.
What does "weld-in" mean on an E30 kit?
In general, a weld-in kit needs the front strut housing cut and welded to fit. BC, Fortune Auto and several Ksport kits are named that way. Ksport also sells insert style kits.
What is a true rear coilover?
It means each E30 rear coilover has the spring mounted on the shock instead of separately. BC and Ksport both list true rear E30 kits.
Which BC Racing series fit the E30?
BR and DS. Every BC E30 kit comes in both, the M3 kit included.
Is there a kit for the E30 M3?
Yes, from BC Racing, KW, Fortune Auto and Ksport. Their kit names cover years between 1985 and 1992, so check the years against your car.
Do any E30 kits bolt in?
No kit name says bolt-in. The BC weld-in kits, Fortune Auto and several Ksport kits call for welding. If you want E30 coilovers with no welding, look at the Ksport insert style kit, KW (spindles included), the Bilstein B12 kits and BC's 45 mm true rear kit. None of them mention welding. Call us and we will talk through what your car needs.
What warranty comes with BC Racing kits?
BC Racing North America currently lists a two-year limited warranty on full kit orders, subject to its warranty terms. Each of the other brands sets its own warranty terms.
