Ready to do the 5 Lug

[JoeMadoo]

I just have a couple questions about the 5 lug swap, front portion. I'm going the e36 route. I bought it from someone who said they had it bolted to their e30 for quite some time.

I have currently:
92 e36 Bilstein Struts with BavAuto Springs (The ones with the tab for the sway bar link, VNE-4418)
e36 (i think) Spindles 187/
MZ3 Control Arms 455/456 (need offset bushings)
e36 non-m Brakes BMW 54/22

My questions are:
1. Would it be advantages to mount my 21mm sway bar to the strut using the e36 links? OR should I stick with the short CA links?

2. I've read conflicting articles on whether or not the Non-M spindles will work correctly, even with the later M control arms and offset CABs. I have a set of the later M3 spindles, and all the mounting points seem extremely close to what I have but I've read the caster is different as well as the caliper carrier mounting. I would love the M3 brakes but the standard e36 ones are still an improvement, and if I can run them I will.

Thanks for your help!

[JoeMadoo]

Also, I am going to drill new strut mount holes to match up to the e36 strut mounts. I've seen it done before by a few people, does the r3v community think it's a good idea? I don't mind drilling and I already have these struts ready to go.

[Farbin Kaiber]

Just use e30 mounts!

[JoeMadoo]

I would but my springs require the larger e36 top mounts. Aren't the E30 springs smaller like the E36 m3?

[Farbin Kaiber]

Use some e30 springs then? Sell the Bav ones. I have a set of e36 m3 stock fronts if those would work for you?

[mulletman]

I wouldn't feel good about drilling additional holes in my shock tower... Get the right springs and use the right mounts.

[JoeMadoo]

Use some e30 springs then? Sell the Bav ones. I have a set of e36 m3 stock fronts if those would work for you?

Yeah I could do that, I just thought they would be too small on the bottom of the e36 strut. I have a set of Eibachs I could use I suppose.

I wouldn't feel good about drilling additional holes in my shock tower... Get the right springs and use the right mounts.

Ok. So e30 springs and strut mounts?

[Farbin Kaiber]

Yes, I have 1998 e36 m3 front struts, with e30 H&R Sports topped off with OE e30 strut mounts.

[MR 325]

Whoa whoa whoa... slow down!

You CAN use E30 strut mounts with non-M E36 front struts/springs. I have done it. Please do not drill extra holes in your car.

You NEED to run the E36 M front spindles AND the 96+ E36 M (or M Coupe) control arms with offset bushings. This is how to do it correctly.

[JoeMadoo]

You NEED to run the E36 M front spindles AND the 96+ E36 M (or M Coupe) control arms with offset bushings. This is how to do it correctly.

Thanks for your response, Matt. I know you know your 5 lugs, but I am still looking for evidence on whether or not its necessary to run the M3 knuckle. I've seen plenty of people, mainly in the "Share your 5 lug setup and wheels" thread, that have good results without the use of the M3 knuckle. In comparing the two, I see no difference in the location or position of the control arm bushing on the knuckle, it seems to be a myth as far as I can tell.

I'm just looking for some hard evidence that I NEED to use the M3 knuckle. So far, it's only been people saying yes you need or no your don't need it.

Edit: I would like those big 315mm M rotors though...

[Vtec?lol]

I've helped and seen a regular e36 front knuckle on a 5lug swap. I insisted that he used the m3 but he didn't want to pay extra. Even with m3 arms and treehouse high offset mounts, the caster was off.

It's not just where the control arm meets the spindle, the strunt ount is angled further back which gives you the proper caster for the swap. I'm your hard evidence

[JoeMadoo]

OK, sounds good. I have a free pair of m3 spindles so I will use them. Thanks for the advice guys.

[JoeMadoo]

Just ordered E30 strut mounts, early E36 swaybar links, and new wheel bearings to put on my M3 spindles.

[MR 325]

There is absolutely a difference in control arm mounting points between M and non-M spindles. I attempted to do a 5 lug swap on the E30 pickup without using the M3 spindle and the caster was terrible. The M3 spindle is an absolute must.

[JoeMadoo]

There is absolutely a difference in control arm mounting points between M and non-M spindles. I attempted to do a 5 lug swap on the E30 pickup without using the M3 spindle and the caster was terrible. The M3 spindle is an absolute must.

It makes sense now, thanks for steering me away from using the wrong parts. Am I still ok to use the 92 e36 struts with the long sway bar links? That would be the only non-M part I am still using besides the springs and strut mounts.