M3 spindle with e36 brakes?

[willo]

Here's an odd question. Can I use e36 rotors, calipers, and bracket with an M3 spindle?

I have a complete E36 for parts and it'll be easier on the budget if I can wait to pick up M3 brake parts for a month or two.

I know that the hub is the same on the M3 and the E36 from checking part numbers. I'm after the wheel offset from the M3 spindle for now.

Thanks!

[psyber_0ptix]

iirc the caliper carriers of the non-m are not compatible with the m hubs.

[willo]

dang.

That's what I suspected, but not the end of the world.
The hubs are the same, so I'm assuming that you mean spindles aren't compatible...

[Aptyp]

correct, caliper doesn't line up... Massive Lee had the exact difference measurements. Posted somewhere in this section as well under a thread name very similar to yours.

[E30-323ti]

IIRC the carrier mount is offset ~3mm on the M3 spindles.

So in your case, a spacer (washer even) could make up that difference to mount the non-M carriers.

[willo]

that is interesting...

Maybe I'll take a whack at it, I've got a lathe and a mill for just that kind of situation.

[E30-323ti]

Sounds like a plan.

I know someone on here (or maybe E30tech) put M3 caliper/carriers on to non-M spindles but had to mill the ~3mm out of the carrier.

Are you not wanting to run M3 brakes because of wheels size (sticking with 15's say) / $$$/availability / weight ??

[Massive Lee]

You can put the e36 carriers and calipers on the M3 spindle using spacers between the carrier and the caliper mounts on the spindle. But it doesn't mean the circumference of the rotor will line up with the top of the pads.

The difference in offset is 6mm give or take 0.1mm, that's a tad thinner than 1/4" (6.35mm)

The M3 and non-M hubs/bearings are the same.

[Shaun K]

You can put the e36 carriers and calipers on the M3 spindle using spacers between the carrier and the caliper mounts on the spindle. But it doesn't mean the circumference of the rotor will line up with the top of the pads.

The difference in offset is 6mm give or take 0.1mm, that's a tad thinner than 1/4" (6.35mm)

The M3 and non-M hubs/bearings are the same.

What about doing the opposite, using non-M struts with M spindles and brakes? Is that possible?

[Massive Lee]

Guys, please let's be serious. Next question will probably be about fitting used Kia rotors with scrap Firefly calipers on VW struts and fit them to an e30?

[Shaun K]

Guys, please let's be serious. Next question will probably be about fitting used Kia rotors with scrap Firefly calipers on VW struts and fit them to an e30?

Actually it was a pretty serious question. I am gathering parts for my 5-lug swap now. My rear shocks are Koni STR.T units, and I'd like to use matching front struts. However since Koni doesn't make an STR.T for an M, I would just use standard E36 STR.T struts and M3 calipers/brackets/spindles/rotors. So far I haven't seen any mention of M3 spindles not working on non-M struts; in fact Bimmerworld sells the M3 brake kit as an upgrade for non-M's. Just thought I'd ask here, but I guess I can make another thread.

[bimmer630]

all e36 struts work with all e36 spindles. makes no difference in that area. the spindles themselves are different in geometry and caliper mounting

[Mossman]

True but non M (and 95 M) struts take larger diameter springs. So e30 diameter springs won't sit nice. I love my e36 m3 koni inserts in stock 96-99 m3 struts, gotta say.

[M-technik-3]

all new parts..They did have them on sale for awhile for under 900.

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=325toM3brakes

[Shaun K]

True but non M (and 95 M) struts take larger diameter springs. So e30 diameter springs won't sit nice. I love my e36 m3 koni inserts in stock 96-99 m3 struts, gotta say.

My understanding is that you can use Z3 springs up front. Their lower diameter is the same as E36 non-M and the upper diameter is the same as E30.