5 lug vs 4 lug

[z31maniac]

The rear trailing arms after selling the subframe cost me $700.

I didn't but pads or rotors front or rear. :)

Aww, I guess I'm too much of a snob to not at least buy new rotors/pads and rebuild the calipers while they are off. I HATE doing things twice, despise it. That's why I did so much extra stuff once I had the M20 out.

I'd love to go 5-lug just for the wheel availability. 17 x 9 TRM MT1-R with 235/40s would be awesome. And the wheels are only ~16lbs.

[Aptyp]

Aww, I guess I'm too much of a snob to not at least buy new rotors/pads and rebuild the calipers while they are off. I HATE doing things twice, despise it. That's why I did so much extra stuff once I had the M20 out.

I'd love to go 5-lug just for the wheel availability. 17 x 9 TRM MT1-R with 235/40s would be awesome. And the wheels are only ~16lbs.

+1, but those are the expenses you'd have either way. I rebuilt all my calipers and got new rotors and pads.

[Gooch]

I remember reading that 5 lug wheel bearings are more heavy duty which may (or may not) help with pad knockback. There's also that the E30M hardware allows bump steer spacers (and easier suspension installations for those who don't like separating ball joints), not sure about E36 hardware.

God those knuckles helped me out so much the other day...I needed to tighten the collar nut so instead of separating the ball joints I just took that bottom piece off the strut. I had the entire strut out of the car in about a half hour.

[87-325ic]

what is this easy way of taking struts off you all talk about? ??

i remember there being some sort of bolt on piece that comes off with the 5-lug stuff, whereas the e30 you have to remove the two ball joints and the stuff on top , plus the caliper whatever you do with it.

is this right?

[Aptyp]

3 bolts... you can swap between coilovers and regular suspension in 30 minutes... Amazing advantage. Today I am on Eibachs, earlier today I was on H&Rs. I can pretty much try all suspensions in 1 day, hehe.

[Gooch]

what is this easy way of taking struts off you all talk about? ??

i remember there being some sort of bolt on piece that comes off with the 5-lug stuff, whereas the e30 you have to remove the two ball joints and the stuff on top , plus the caliper whatever you do with it.

is this right?

Yeah, for the e30 m3 stuff, you take off the wheel, caliper, rotor then all you have to do is disconnect the bottom steering knuckle with 4 bolts (picture stolen from the internets, but you can see the removable knuckle) and then the top three nuts inside the engine bay on top of the strut tower.



The regular e30 strut housings don't have the removable bottom knuckle, so you HAVE to pop the ball joints out to remove the strut assembly.

[Aptyp]

BUT e36 is even easier, because strut itself disconnects from spindle and you can add camber this way... So if compared e30 to e36, e36 is still better design.

[e30s52]

But you have to run a higher ET so less choices in good looking wheels.

[Stephen]

But you have to run a higher ET so less choices in good looking wheels.

This. Why i decided against 5 lug honestly. Unless m3 stuff were to fall into my lap. I love me some low offset

[MR 325]

Aww, I guess I'm too much of a snob to not at least buy new rotors/pads and rebuild the calipers while they are off. I HATE doing things twice, despise it. That's why I did so much extra stuff once I had the M20 out.

Only reason I didn't replace them is everything was almost new and the front has some fancy drilled and slotted rotors. :)

[z31maniac]

Nice deal! Sounds like you lucked out!

[Aptyp]

But you have to run a higher ET so less choices in good looking wheels.

Less choices of stock wheels, when it comes to aftermarket your statement has NEVER been true. By far more people are racing e36/e46 and those models also sold a lot better. After market is filled with wheels for 3ers. More choices of different designs, performance and pretty much anything you can imagine.

Also, 5x120 in high offset is becoming an industry standard (Acura, GM, and some Fords) so finding wheels is a breeze. Going with e30 m3 setups has lost all advantages due to wheel availability a looooong time ago.

[etxxz]

honestly... rims aren't like some people's shoes collection. you usually get one and you don't change it.. wth..

[e30s52]

Less choices of stock wheels, when it comes to aftermarket your statement has NEVER been true. By far more people are racing e36/e46 and those models also sold a lot better. After market is filled with wheels for 3ers. More choices of different designs, performance and pretty much anything you can imagine.

Also, 5x120 in high offset is becoming an industry standard (Acura, GM, and some Fords) so finding wheels is a breeze. Going with e30 m3 setups has lost all advantages due to wheel availability a looooong time ago.

There still is alot of low offset wheels out there that look alot better then the higher offset wheels. I havent seen any e46 wheels that look good on e30's besides the e46 m3 csl wheels and yes that statement is true. Plus I like having my abs working and no e30 m3 is still a good choice. I dont know why you get so up tight about all of this. :roll:

[z31maniac]

There still is alot of low offset wheels out there that look alot better then the higher offset wheels. I havent seen any e46 wheels that look good on e30's besides the e46 m3 csl wheels and yes that statement is true. Plus I like having my abs working and no e30 m3 is still a good choice. I dont know why you get so up tight about all of this. :roll:

Because the internet is serious bidnass.