Advantages of 17in wheel on 5 lug?

[graphikg]

I am going 5 lug and I have been searching high and low for a good 16x8 wheel I like. I havent been seeing anything I like.

I came up on a decent deal on a set of LTW e36 M3 wheels. I am thinking of going with these but what are the advantages?

Are they light?
Will they fit M3 brakes without spacers?
Will it rub?

I am planning to be on Variant 1 coilovers... so will these wheels even work?

[Farbin Kaiber]

So, you are asking if e36 wheels will fit on e36 front suspension with coilovers installed?

Yes, absolutely.

The only concern will be what you use on the rear for the 5lug conversion.

[Poorboyz]

Just remember that when you go 5 lug with E36 components you will have to use wheels that have the same offset as E36 wheels. Wheels with +20 offset or less will not fit as the E36 suspension components push out the wheel hubs out a little compared to a stock 4 lug E30 hub.

[graphikg]

Well - I'm using a rear 318ti setup and non-M e36 front.

I'm planning to use the LTW e36 wheels but want to make sure it fits, doesn't rub, and it's not too heavy.

[MR 325]

Yes they will fit. Are they staggered?

[graphikg]

Yes. 17x8.5 rear. 17x7.5 front I believe.

[MR 325]

Yes. 17x8.5 rear. 17x7.5 front I believe.

You'll need to run smaller tires than they originally came with though.

A friend is running 205/45/17 front and 235/40/17 rear with his 5 lug E30.

If you wanted a more low profile look and don't need it to be meaty you could go 205/40/17 front and 215/40/17 rear.

[graphikg]

So I probably will be rubbing with the 245s? I don't mind rubbing on full lock of the steering; just not when going straight.

And I will also be on coil overs; so I will be able to adjust height.

[graphikg]

I found out that:

Front LTW Wheels: 17x7.5 - 225/45/17 tires
Rear LTW Wheels: 17x8.5 - 245/40/17 tires

I am hoping they wil fit...


And I hate to add another topic to this, but I have some curiosities since I have never done this before.

My coilovers are Variant 1s and I have a full non-M front setup (brakes, spinles, CAs, etc). Am I going to need M3 spindles to make everything to e30 alignment specs?

I have been reading around, and it seems like I am going to need M3 spindles and CAs on the coilovers to make sure everything is at e30 specs.

[Farbin Kaiber]

96+ e36 m3 control arms but yes, to get close, you'll want the m3 stuff, and the e30 upper strut mounts, and this is the reason people go 17's because it's easier to find 17's that clear than it is the 16's out there. (In most cases)

[graphikg]

Oh man...

Now I have to source out some M3 spindles and buy new 96 M3 control arms?

Gees, I thought I had it all. This is going to cost more time and money than I thought.

Once I go with the 96 M3 control arms, what can I do with sway bar link? I have an e30 sway bar with the short link. How do I work out the sway bar and the link situation with the 96 M3 control arms?

[IronFreak]

I have about $2700 in my 5-lug swap.

all 98M bits
z3 rears
GC coils and camber plates
Konis in all four corners
Eyeball CABs
New rotors/pad and caliper rebuild kits.

5-lug isn't cheap homie

[Farbin Kaiber]

Once I go with the 96 M3 control arms, what can I do with sway bar link? I have an e30 sway bar with the short link. How do I work out the sway bar and the link situation with the 96 M3 control arms?

Buy m3 specific coilovers, and buy adjustable links.

[graphikg]

You guys can flame me all you want. I bought the wrong things. I think I'm just gonna fix my GE coil over stuff and stick with 4 lug. :/

[Farbin Kaiber]

Dude, neither of our posts were flames. You didn't buy the wrong things, you just didn't buy the right ones. No problem.