how to switch up a typical swap to make 17" 41mm wheels fit?

[gazellebeigem3]

[clavinZERO]

I have ds2's on my cay with e30 M 5 lug. I used an 8mm spacer front and rear and am running 225/45-17 front and 235/40-17 in the rear. Im also using the 8.5 in rears. I have plenty of room in the back, but in the front there is only a few mm clearance between the tire and strut. I dont have any of the current set up, but i will soon if you want to see what it looks like.

pics please sir.

[gazellebeigem3]

I have ds2's on my cay with e30 M 5 lug. I used an 8mm spacer front and rear and am running 225/45-17 front and 235/40-17 in the rear. Im also using the 8.5 in rears. I have plenty of room in the back, but in the front there is only a few mm clearance between the tire and strut. I dont have any of the current set up, but i will soon if you want to see what it looks like.

[JPStrniste]

One on the front struts that i got off my z3 was bent. I'm looking into ordering the coil over conversion from bav auto for $700. It's a whole package that includes front struts, front and rear springs and shocks.... Plus the front is fully adjustable (height adjustable) which is great for balancing the car, too....

[PiercedE30]

We aren't really worried about the speedo being off, it is driven to/from events and occasionally around town. Not that big of an issue atm. We are still playing with springs and rates to bring the front down some. I'll get pictures of it tomorrow and post 'em.

(I work with Unleashed, sort of)

[Van Westervelt]

225/45-17 is too tall. That is an e36 fitment tire. Your speedo will be off, and lowering springs will be contradicted even more.

[Unleashed603]

I just put staggered e36 M3 M contours on my e30 running a e36 5 lug swap. they are all 4 running 225/45-17 's and the rears fit with no rubbing except if i smack a hard bump without rolling fenders or anything. The fronts rub a slight bit at full lock but that is inevitable. the fronts are 7.5 and rears are 8.5 if you get the correct control arms and bushings your swap should go smoothly and you should be able to run m-contours with little to no modification. I know for sure that there are no issues on 215/40 - 17's with rubbing. if anyone has questions just ask. i have been toying with my 5 lug with springs and wheels for about 5 weeks and have learned quite a few things

[FredK]

I would use the M3 / Z3M strut housings, because then you can use E30 springs. The normal E36 and Z3 strut housings use a larger diameter front spring than the E30 and the E36 M3 / Z3 M.

If you use the Z3 steering rack, it should come with travel reducing lockplates for the tie rods. The lockplates are around 3mm thick, and reduce the possibility of rubbing when you cut the wheel all the way in one direction. I am not sure if this will prevent rubbing on an E30, but hopefully it will!

[JPStrniste]

with 235-40/17s, do you think i'll rub in the front during full turn? It's actually "is" springs i'll be running, not "i" springs. not sure if there is a difference. <---- still learning

I'll actually be running the stock z3 springs now. I need the e36 front end for the 5 lug. <-- I learned this over the weekend.

I have at least 1 new strut tower because one of the two i have now is bent. I'm probably going to do both sides with bilstein strut towers from bav auto. they're only 165 a side. I'll just have to move the springs over...

[JPStrniste]

If you keep it stock ride height, your spring rates will be stock as well, so you will need to roll them, or trim them. Shorter and stiffer springs in the rear help to eliminate that as well. With 235-40/17's, it is possible to run them without any rear arch modifications if you get the offset perfect. I did it earlier this year.

225-45/17 is e36 size tire and TOO BIG for an e30. It will work, but its way too tall. Go with 235-40/17, or 215-40/17.

with 235-40/17s, do you think i'll rub in the front during full turn? It's actually "is" springs i'll be running, not "i" springs. not sure if there is a difference. <---- still learning

[Van Westervelt]

even if i keep stock ride height?...

If you keep it stock ride height, your spring rates will be stock as well, so you will need to roll them, or trim them. Shorter and stiffer springs in the rear help to eliminate that as well. With 235-40/17's, it is possible to run them without any rear arch modifications if you get the offset perfect. I did it earlier this year.

225-45/17 is e36 size tire and TOO BIG for an e30. It will work, but its way too tall. Go with 235-40/17, or 215-40/17.

[JPStrniste]

Well, I'd run 235/40 R17 tires, but you're going to have to roll the fenders.

even if i keep stock ride height?...

[FredK]

Well, I'd run 235/40 R17 tires, but you're going to have to roll the fenders.

[JPStrniste]

I have a similar setup that I'm trying to do. I've got rear trailing arms and front control arms from a 98 z3 that I'm using for my 5 lug. I bought 17x8.5 m-contours for all 4 corners. I'm wondering what size tire to run....

I'm most likely going to keep stock suspension height.

[sefb222]

im running staggered DS2s on my E30

fronts are 10mm spacers, rears are 12mm.

i'd like to go with smaller spacers in the rear if i can, or get rid of them altogether. my rear fenders DEFINITELY need to be rolled, as they keep biting my tires when i hit dips pretty hard.