I thought that koni;s were nla for e21's, but i guess this guy has a few left. http://www.classicgarage.com/320i1.html
I already ordered a set, and it almost seems to good to be true, but rears are 100, and fronts are 30.

Good prices on that site. $119 for a complete clutch kit.

that pertronix ignitor kit is alot cheaper on summit. you can get the coil, and kit for about 100.00, with free shipping and handling. Everything else looks reasonable.

Nice find.

I've been using classic garage for years. Fast shipping and great customer service. The rear koni's were $69 when I bought them a few years ago (I have bought 2 sets). They are an authorised dealer, so keep the reciept in case you need them rebuilt. I like koni's, but they tend to blow out easily.
--dennis

Why are the fronts silver, what type of strut is that?

Illustration for reference purposes only!

:dunno

Damn, those fronts are cheap! I almost wish I didn't already have Konis :D

EDIT: Oops, I got confused... I actually have Bilsteins on the E21 (and Konis on the E36)... not that it matters...

If you look at eshocks, they show the same part number, but followed by -Sport for the Koni Sports... so these may actually be them. Btw the rears are cheaper at eshocks:
http://www.eshocks.com/bil_veh.asp?Model_Index=1Q1&Manf=Koni&SubChar=Q

Why are the fronts silver, what type of strut is that?

Black and white photo. You young-uns might not remember those.:) they're red in real life.
--dennis

Black and white photo. You young-uns might not remember those.:) they're red in real life.
--dennis

Well the yellows are the sports, and the reds are the specials, 2 different absorbing settings (valves). So they only have rear sports and special fronts? In that case buyer's should understand the difference.

Where did you see that they are red? Because in a B&W red would be shaded, and yellow would appear white :stickoutt

The 2 sets I got when I ordered were specials. I forgot that they're selling sports for the rear now. The ones I got for $69 were specials as well, but apparently they are nla from classic garage.
--dennis

What is the difference between specials and sports?
Never mind, I guess that the specials are the comfort shock. crap. I am going to give them a call and see what's what.

What is the difference between specials and sports?

MEET

Well the yellows are the sports, and the reds are the specials, 2 different absorbing settings (valves). So they only have rear sports and special fronts? In that case buyer's should understand the difference.

Sports are firmer.

--dennis

I talked to the owner, and he said the rears are sports, and the fronts are specials, but that is per koni specs. I guess they don't make a sport front. I was told that it is a good set up, I guess I will know for sure in a while.

I talked to the owner, and he said the rears are sports, and the fronts are specials, but that is per koni specs. I guess they don't make a sport front. I was told that it is a good set up, I guess I will know for sure in a while.

A good set-up by who, the seller? I wouldn't be mixing and matching sets like that. The rears will be firm, while the fronts will be less firm. You might want to concider the Bilstein Sports, the rear shocks are about $90, and the fronts are $110 or so.

From Koni:

Q: What is the difference between KONI Special (red) and KONI Sport (yellow)?

A: The KONI Special (red) has been engineered to maximize the ride comfort with good handling performance for each vehicle application. The KONI Sport (yellow) typically starts at a higher initial valving baseline to give a sportier feel and work on vehicles with higher performance parts. In some instances, KONI will only offer a Special or Sport valving and not both. Some modern cars come from the factory with higher tech suspension systems and wheel/tire packages so they would move directly into the Sport range, however they are still valved to give a comfortable ride with very good handling capabilities.

Q: How much stiffer are KONIs than factory shocks?

A: This is a difficult question to answer because every KONI application is developed for that specific vehicle to get the best handling characteristics. In general, most factory shocks are under damped for optimized handling so KONI engineers select firmer valvings. Unfortunately factory shocks are generally chosen for financial reasons rather than performance so lower technology, cheaper shocks are standard. In some instances, a factory shock may have good characteristics in some parts of the working range but need some help in other parts and there are even a few instances where the KONI engineers found better handling by softening the factory units.

Here's the good news-My cars have handled great with the reds. I have had 4 bmw's with Koni specials: 3 e21's and an e12, and I have loved them. And, if I am correct, there is some crossover in how the shocks are valved, so if you adjust the reds to full firm and the sports to between a 1/4 and a 1/2 firm, you should be able to get close to a good balance, or at least be able to dial it in from there. That is the beauty of adjustable shocks, it's not like having Monroes on the front and Billy sports on the rear.
--dennis

Here's the good news-My cars have handled great with the reds. I have had 4 bmw's with Koni specials: 3 e21's and an e12, and I have loved them. And, if I am correct, there is some crossover in how the shocks are valved, so if you adjust the reds to full firm and the sports to between a 1/4 and a 1/2 firm, you should be able to get close to a good balance, or at least be able to dial it in from there. That is the beauty of adjustable shocks, it's not like having Monroes on the front and Billy sports on the rear.
--dennis

Well there ya go.

classic garage said that exact thing. one click ahead on the front for even valving.