E36 front shocks the same as Z3?

[Hellrotruss]

As the title really. Do the E36 front shocks fit on the Z3 ( I'm aware the rear is different) thanks in advance.

 

[BMBabe]

@t-tony

 

[t-tony]

TBH, I can't say for definite, but, I would try contacting ECP or Andrew Page or GSF. I'm sure they will help, if not let me know and I'll contact the tame guy at Lincoln AP .

Tony.

 

[Antm72]

I think they fit but are different in that the e36 has a tab welded to it for the drop link mount.
Not sure if it fouls anything on a zed.

 

[t-tony]

Cheers for that Ant. Could always cut it off with an angle grinder.

Tony.

 

[5harp3y]

Yes they do, straight swap. I bought e36 front shocks (bilstein) as they were cheaper than z3 versions.

 

[Hellrotruss]

Cheers for the super fast responses guys. My situation is as follows. While changing the pads on the Z on Tuesday I discovered I have one nearly new 'Eicher' shock absorber and one original with a serious fluid leak. I have spent quite some time looking for an Eicher Z3 shock to no avail so can only assume that it's an E36 one. Obviously this situation is far from ideal but as you can imagine I'm reluctant to bin a nearly new shock. I guess I'm going to have to bite the bullet ant buy one to compare.

 

[5harp3y]

i'd be tempted to just buy a new one Euro Car Parts etc, they are dirt cheap and if the other one is relatively new it shouldnt make too much difference,

 

[windym]

Hi not sure if this helps eBay number

322054083517

Sorry ignore wrong end dooh.
Andy

 

[Lee]

Like sharpey said I've also fitted E36 shocks to the front. Only slight difference was the E36 top mounts have a little tab that needs removing 5 min job.

Lee

 

[Hellrotruss]

That's great cheers for the responses guys. I'm going to try an E36 shock.

 

[z3 journey]

been a while i know, but did this work? contemplating replacing left front with e36 shock absorber as i already replaced right side like a month ago(not e36)

 

[z3 journey]

That's great cheers for the responses guys. I'm going to try an E36 shock.

assist if yuou can

 

[IainP]

Yes, mine has e36 aftermarket on

 

[z3 journey]

Yes, mine has e36 aftermarket on

So would it be fine to have one side e36 and the other Z3?

 

[t-tony]

Not usually recommended to have 1new one running against 1 old one.
Shock absorbers are best fitted in pairs.

Tony.

 

[IainP]

So would it be fine to have one side e36 and the other Z3?

Ooh, no, what Tony said. A Z3 has an e36 front end, but that doesn’t mean the damping is the same. It may be, in fact, I’d be surprised if it were different, but I’d still fit a pair rather than a single if it was me.

 

[Andyboy]

E36 ones fit and work fine.

Avoid cheap and nasty units - The CD ones on Ebay are absolute garbage as are KYB. Monroe are okay as are Anschler (ECP budget), TRW are very hit and miss. Bilstein B4 are pretty good.

Boge - Sachs are the best.