New member with a project car. I could use help in locating the rear shock mounts as I am unable to find details or photos for my 1994 325i convertible. I am certain they need to be replaced. 106K and lots of noise.

Thanks in advance.

You need to open the lid of the roof stowage. There's 2 rubber covers (can't miss them).

Pop these off and *blimey* low and behold:

(This is from my car. e46 upgraded mounts and z3 reinforement plates) Have new RTAB too. Handling feels ace again!

http://www.idon-industries.com/bimmer/z3plates.jpg

Great. Thank you. You mention you used mounts for a Z3 rather than the OEM...were these for standard or M series?

Priced the parts at the local BMW dealer today and the Z3 mounts are about $20 cheaper than the original E36.

Thanks for your help and photos.

Definitely get at least the reinforcement plates. I opted for the Ground Control RSMs. Sweet but a bit spendy.

Great. Thank you. You mention you used mounts for a Z3 rather than the OEM...were these for standard or M series?

Priced the parts at the local BMW dealer today and the Z3 mounts are about $20 cheaper than the original E36.

Thanks for your help and photos.

not quite...

you want to get the E46 M3 rear shock mounts and the Z3 reinforcement plates.

Great. Thank you. You mention you used mounts for a Z3 rather than the OEM...were these for standard or M series?

Priced the parts at the local BMW dealer today and the Z3 mounts are about $20 cheaper than the original E36.

Thanks for your help and photos.

I thought I was pretty clear.

I even named the partnumbers.

If you mean the Z3 plates were $20 cheaper...of course, it's just the plates.

You want e46 rear shock mounts AND as can be seen on my pic, the Z3 plates. Much stronger than only that flimsy piece of sheetmetal.

when i upgraded my suspension to the bilstein kit, i only added the E46 M3 RSM. the reinforcement plates were not really a big thing from what i read if you don't auto cross your car.

i'd get them if i knew that it will only cost me another $16.

when i upgraded my suspension to the bilstein kit, i only added the E46 M3 RSM. the reinforcement plates were not really a big thing from what i read if you don't auto cross your car.

i'd get them if i knew that it will only cost me another $16.

Dude, they not make a difference in handling, but if you see how thin the sheetmatal is...last thing you want it the topmounts to crack right through it!

The very cheapplates distribute forces and just makes the hole sheetmetal much thicker.

As you say, they are so cheap and fitting them is 5 minutes of work!

Thank you for your help. Your advice, instructions and photos made this a very easy project. Total time to replace both rear shock mounts (with Z3 plates, washer, new nuts, etc) ...approx. 1 hour and the noise has completely stopped. The old RSM's were completely shot.


Thanks again.

Thank you for your help. Your advice, instructions and photos made this a very easy project. Total time to replace both rear shock mounts (with Z3 plates, washer, new nuts, etc) ...approx. 1 hour and the noise has completely stopped. The old RSM's were completely shot.


Thanks again.

Nice to hear chap.

That's why we are here right, to help out each other. ;)