I am facing a decision. The 1990 318i is presently on stands with the entire suspension and drivetrain pulled. I just picked up pretty much everything I need for a five lug swap for cheap (318ti trailing arms, e36 M3 front suspension and brakes, etc.) I have the stock M3 struts, but would need to get some bilstein sports. I have not pulled rear e36 brakes for it yet. Also, I am debating on whether to get new control arms, since these are showing some wear.
I also have everything to really upgrade the car with a 4 lug set up. IE twin piston front bbk, new billy sports, new H&R sport springs, new bushings in rear, new strut mounts, e30 control arms, etc.
Some of the parts I have are usable in both applications- Treehouse racing lollipops, H&R Springs, new strut mounts, e36 steering rack, e30 tie rods. I also have 15 mm drop hats.
The car is getting an M30, which will likely be turboed at some point. I like the idea of a brake upgrade for all 4 corners, but the IE setup is probably sufficient. How much of an upgrade are e36 rear brakes over e30 rears?
I am looking at some borbet b's 16 x 9 et 15 in 4 x 100. In general, I tend to favor old school style wheels. The trick is finding them in 4 x 100. But there are some sweet wheels in 5 x 120 such as the style 5 16 x 8 e38 fitment, and I am sure I could find some goodness in 5 lug. Still, it seems difficult to find old school wheels in 5 x 120 in higher offsets to run on a 5 lug swapped car. I don't mind fender rolling, but there is a limit.
So, in summary- should I buy the borbet b's, slap on the 4 lug upgrades and call it a day, knowing it will all fit and be easy, or go the 5 lug route, knowing there may be some snags, but some cheaper wheels also? Would I be cutting myself out on the old school wheels in 5 x 120 because they tend to have low offsets? Also- there is the brake setup difference question mentioned above.
I would probably sell the parts I don't use.
Opinions? Thanks in advance. This is my first e30 build (e28 and e34 guy).
I also have everything to really upgrade the car with a 4 lug set up. IE twin piston front bbk, new billy sports, new H&R sport springs, new bushings in rear, new strut mounts, e30 control arms, etc.
Some of the parts I have are usable in both applications- Treehouse racing lollipops, H&R Springs, new strut mounts, e36 steering rack, e30 tie rods. I also have 15 mm drop hats.
The car is getting an M30, which will likely be turboed at some point. I like the idea of a brake upgrade for all 4 corners, but the IE setup is probably sufficient. How much of an upgrade are e36 rear brakes over e30 rears?
I am looking at some borbet b's 16 x 9 et 15 in 4 x 100. In general, I tend to favor old school style wheels. The trick is finding them in 4 x 100. But there are some sweet wheels in 5 x 120 such as the style 5 16 x 8 e38 fitment, and I am sure I could find some goodness in 5 lug. Still, it seems difficult to find old school wheels in 5 x 120 in higher offsets to run on a 5 lug swapped car. I don't mind fender rolling, but there is a limit.
So, in summary- should I buy the borbet b's, slap on the 4 lug upgrades and call it a day, knowing it will all fit and be easy, or go the 5 lug route, knowing there may be some snags, but some cheaper wheels also? Would I be cutting myself out on the old school wheels in 5 x 120 because they tend to have low offsets? Also- there is the brake setup difference question mentioned above.
I would probably sell the parts I don't use.
Opinions? Thanks in advance. This is my first e30 build (e28 and e34 guy).
Comment