5 Lug worth it?

[motorsports_3]

I am having a hard time seeing what should be done next on my car. I am in the final stages of my m50 swap.
I was considering buying brakes, the rx-7 4 piston 280 mm kit as my next mod, but as I think deeper into it that may be a waste of money. I need to get coilovers for my car soon. So I was thinking I may go 5 lug. I already have stock e36 control arms with offset power flex bushings installed, and a set of e36 hubs, spindles, brakes that I took off of my donor car, sitting in my garage. All that I would need to buy additional is the 318ti rear trail arms (which isnt so bad because I wanted to change my rear bushings anyway.) I would obviously have to buy the e36 coils, but they are cheaper and have a wider selection over the e30, I also get upgraded brakes all around, dont I? The problem Is I already love the wheels I have now, but I may want to change them in the future.

What my dilema is if I stay 4 lug, upgrade the brakes and coils, would it just be better off to spend a tad bit more and go 5 lug?

[D-rock]

I think if you find nice wheels in 4 lug keep it. And do bigger brakes and coils, you lose abs with 5 lug.

[Jean]

e30s are light where 5lug or bbk is not really needed unless you track the car where you are into triple digit speeds lap after lap after lap. you see guys in spec e30 running with stock rotor calipers.... Good fluid/lines/pads/rotors go a long way.

5 lug does give you more options with wheels, but really that's pretty much it. you have to do it right and not ruin your suspension geometry.

my 2cents.

[motorsports_3]

Sounds good guys. I think I have decided against 5 lug. It does not seem worth it, plus I lose ABS. Thank you.

[Aptyp]

I think if you find nice wheels in 4 lug keep it. And do bigger brakes and coils, you lose abs with 5 lug.

You don't lose anything with 5-lug...


Personally, I've gone through 4 sets of wheels and love possibilities. There's no way I could switching up wheels and tires for next to nothing and making money back on every set. Big brakes feel amazing, and is quiet possibly the best reason for the swap.

Cons: for the price I could have picked up BBK and a set of 4-lug wheels. I tried doing cheap swap the first time, but penny by penny, after all set and done it still runs you a grand. Cost even more if all you're good at is buying parts.



Bottom line, it's a cool swap and you need to weigh pros and cons on your own.

[bimmer630]

you said you need to get coil-overs and then said you will have to get E36 coils. explain? if you are getting a coil over kit its gonna BE e36 in the front. you can also just order the 318ti setup like i did from ground control, and that already has what you need since a 5 lug e30 is essentially a 318ti

[MikeDE]

^^True...I'm doing mine for the bigger brakes, to get TUV on a swap you basically need matching brakes and suspension(from donor/aftermarket) to handle the extra power. So I need to do this before I do my M50. It'll keep me entertained till then.

[hoveringuy]

I like my 5 lug swap, but there's a few things I miss about the 4 lugs.

I LOVE the stopping power. The car looks great. Handling is much improved. Much better choice of rubber. Can't buy shit in 14".

Downside is that the wheels are heavier.

I would be almost as happy with a nice 16" 4 lug wheel and BBK.

[Adrian_Visser]

^^True...I'm doing mine for the bigger brakes, to get TUV on a swap you basically need matching brakes and suspension(from donor/aftermarket) to handle the extra power. So I need to do this before I do my M50. It'll keep me entertained till then.

Unless you are tarbowing your m50 you don't need bigger brakes to handle the extra 10hp you will be addin over an m20.

[motorsports_3]

you said you need to get coil-overs and then said you will have to get E36 coils. explain? if you are getting a coil over kit its gonna BE e36 in the front. you can also just order the 318ti setup like i did from ground control, and that already has what you need since a 5 lug e30 is essentially a 318ti

Sorry, I meant that I am going to buy coil overs. I already have the e36 spindles and everything that attaches to the strut. I also plan to upgrade my current e30 brakes. So before I do all of that I need to decide if I am going 5 or staying 4, so I dont have to buy everything twice. I was saying that If I am going 5 lug, all I need to buy are the coils and rear trail arms.

[D-rock]

You don't lose anything with 5-lug...


Personally, I've gone through 4 sets of wheels and love possibilities. There's no way I could switching up wheels and tires for next to nothing and making money back on every set. Big brakes feel amazing, and is quiet possibly the best reason for the swap.

Cons: for the price I could have picked up BBK and a set of 4-lug wheels. I tried doing cheap swap the first time, but penny by penny, after all set and done it still runs you a grand. Cost even more if all you're good at is buying parts.



Bottom line, it's a cool swap and you need to weigh pros and cons on your own.

Trust this guy he know what he is talking about!

[xwill112x]

i think it's silly unless you just want to run baller 5 lug wheels. otherwise, 4 lug ftw.

[Aptyp]

i 5-lugged my trailer today :-)

I'm bring 30 lugs to vintage this year.

[xwill112x]

nice. im only bringing 16 :-P

[HellzMindPlaya]

I can tell you that on the front stretch of Portland International Raceway that when I stabbed the brakes (front e36 M3) the car slowed from 100 to 30 really nicely, and I did it quite repeatedly.

Just remember the best way to do it is to use M3 stuff up front, the e36 325i stuff just isn't the correct way to do it... Odds are if you go that rout you will end up doing it the correct way later down the road, which will set you back even more moneys.