In Need Of An E36 GURU! Fitment Questions..

[540iboy]

First off, every thread I have read and re-read has been horrible information regarding fitment. There is so much false information out there it is ridiculous.

Anyway, I recently acquired some 18" LM style rims. I need an opinion on tire sizes, spacers, and fender modification.

Car: 1998 E36 M3 Coupe
Specs of the wheels:
front: 18x8 et 35
rear: 18x9 et35

I have found a couple people running 18x9's in the rear but they never posted their offsets. I was thinking 25mm spacer with some 225/35's? Will that require fender work?

Any information is much appreciated!

[Dr.AK]

For reference, this here is my old setup:

8x18 Et20 front
9x18 ET22 rear
Both wrapped in 215/35s
Rear fenders rolled (had to be actually pulled very slightly because I kept hitting wheel lip on the fender on big bumps)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bochmannphoto/sets/72157624024822213/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bochmannphoto/sets/72157623794204722/

To put you at that fitment, you'd need 15mm spacers front and 13m spacers in the rear. If you go any wider in the rear you will definitely need to pull or you will rub heavily.

Personally, I would go with 195/40 or 205/35s for the 8s if you can find any and 215/35s for the 9s.

[540iboy]

Wow, thanks for the quick response!

I've seen your car plenty of times over on bf.c, thats an awesome touring.

I'm really not trying to pull the fenders, just for resale purposes. I will definitely be rolling them though.
I also was trying to stay away from the 195's, I know the 205 doesn't really stretch on an 8J rim, but I just dont want to run anything smaller than that.

So you think at 18x9 et25 with 225's would still rub in the rear?

[bmxspert]

i have had similar setups also you can get away with a good arch rolling on the rear front will be fine is the car on coilovers

if you get your arches done get them done by someone you trust to do a good job there have been horror stories