E38 16x8 style 5 wheels inner rear fender rub late model

[mtech325]

Recently did the 5 lug swap with e30 m3 suspension on my 1991 318is and rolled the fenders, but can’t seem to get 16x8 et23 e38 weaves or 17x8 et20 e34 m-system wheels to not rub the rear inner fender/wheel well on heavy dips in the road. Both sets of wheels had 215 wide tires (215/45r16 and 215/40r17). Since the m3 hubs about 5mm wider it makes the effective offsets et18 for the e38 wheels and et15 for the m5 wheels.

I have the GC street coilovers rates in back (475lb), but do I also need to roll or hammer the inner fender tub as well? Seems like this is a late model problem where the inner fender has a bump where the tire contacts unlike the early model. Or does 205/50r16 not have this issue? Another option is to increase spring rates again but wondering if anyone else has run into this issue. Otherwise car drives normal without issue using 15x7 e30 m3 wheels.

[82eye]

maybe try crawling through the fitment thread to see what others ran in that size. sorry i can't help more.

[Mike36]

I ran into this problem when I was first figuring out wheel offsets and spring rates for my convertible. Us vert guys are heavier out back especially with the top down. I was running 16x9 et15 205/50/16 out back and had this issue because I was riding on softer H&R non vert sport springs 50406. In addition to rolling my fenders, I used a metal mallet on the bumps to give me a few extra MMs I needed in addition to running rear 10mm spring pads from an e46.

Like this one: https://www.grainger.com/product/2DBU3?gucid=N:N:PS:Paid:GGL:CSM-2295:K2UWC0:20500801:APZ_1&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0K CQjwna6_BhCbARIsALId2Z1GHq9A6Fu0VwaMRSgZJYBPxgCy6s wKQxooR7mRaHT4seNC3SzQZe0aAq8nEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.d s

Your options to fix this issue are:
Run 205/50/16 or 195/50/16 or 205/45/16
Thicker rear spring pads
Steel handled mallet
Stiffer rear springs

Any combination of that will work.

[mtech325]

This is very helpful, looks like I have more work ahead with a mallet! Did you just have to clearance a small area or most of the inner fender circumference? So far the rubbing looks like its
just a small area.

[Mike36]

Ah yeah I rubbed there too ha, it's difficult to roll that area with a roller. I tapped that area with the mallet.

[AWDBOB]

I ran filled/drilled e38 style 5s with a 15mm spacer out back with a 215/45. I rolled the rears with an Eastwood roller and all was well. Didn’t get crazy aggressive with the roll. GC coilovers set at a typical lowering spring ride height.

There was a “lump” in the wheel tub I had to hammer in that the tire was hitting after the roll.