E30 M3 5 lug swap...what can i get away with?

[Addissimo]

I got a quote of $80 each from Patrick at bma

-Addis

edit: My bad - that was for an m roadster.

[nefarious7907]

what can i get away with.....

Reusing springs can i reuse my bilsteins and H&R sports in the swap.

[Addissimo]

If you have the later style strut tubings, then yes.

-Addis

[static]

ok, i am a bit confused

i have a '91 325i. Can i get away with just hubs and brake components? i.e stay with my old strut housings?

or would that not be a good idea/not work at all?

Thanks
Alex

[Jordan]

You cannot put a e30 m3 hub/wheel bearing on the non-m spindle. Will not fit.

You need the complete front M3 strut housing/hub/rotor/caliper/etc

[gstuning]

What is the direct diffrence in the M3 struts and non M3??

pics if possible please.

[Jordan]

Many differences Gunni.

M3 wheel bearing/hub much larger.
5x120 vs 4x100 obviously.
M3 spindle is much larger
Same strut inserts as 51mm non-m housing
Same spring perch (thus could use all spring)
M3 housing has a detachable lever arm at the bottom (tierod and CA mount to this) non-m is part of the whole housing.
Geometry of said lever arm is different then non-m

I don't have any GOOD pictures comparing the 2 handy, but I can get some.

[gstuning]

I was mainly thinking about the possibility of machined parts to fit M3 hub on non m3 spindles(I´m assuming that is the part the hub goes on to).

but without M3 geometry

[Jordan]

Is is possible? Certainly.

Should you ever do it? No.

[1991 318is]

About the bars.

The M sway bar is smaller but the geometry makes it's effective rate stiffer and less likely to bind. The E30 pickup point is on the control arm and moves proportionately less than the road wheel. The M3 pickup on the strut is a 1:1 ratio with the road wheel. It's like a spring that is weaker but is compressed more. Same principle as adjustable bars.
This was noted recently by another poster - all I remember about him is the Buddy Holly glasses and maniacal gleam in his eye. See #2 below.
Main Entry: ma·ni·a·cal
Pronunciation: m&-'nI-&-k&l
Function: adjective
1 : affected with or suggestive of madness
2 : characterized by ungovernable excitement or frenzy :

[rede30]

I didnt know you just need to press in a new bearing and an m3 hub for the rear. Why dont people do this? whats the bad. Can you not fit fatty tires? can you not fit e36 m3 brakes? there has to be somthing.

[BahnE30]

because you need a press to put the M3 bearings in, if you have used parts 9 times out of 10 the hub comes with a trailing arm and it's just a simple swap then.....

[Borat]

are the brake mounts different between E30 trailing arms and MZ3 arms? Basically can E36 M3 brakes be put on E30 arms?

[Jordan]

are the brake mounts different between E30 trailing arms and MZ3 arms?

Yes.

can E36 M3 brakes be put on E30 arms?

No.