5-Lug Conversion

This is a detailed parts and information guide on converting an E30 to a 5-lug setup. You may have to devise your own strategy for doing labor.

Read the whole guide before attempting this project. I and a lot of E30 enthusiasts across the country worked very hard to compile this information and have it available here. Make sure you understand, what you're doing all this work for, whether it's brakes, wheels, or just something to keep you occupied.

If you are doing this swap purely for selection of wheels, STOP. Regardless of which option you go with, it will be cheaper to find and buy any wheels your heart desires in 4-lugs, even filling/redrilling.

There are several ways of doing this conversion:

M3 Bolt-On

This conversion requires no imagination, as it is a bolt-on. Literally, bolt on suspension and brakes and you are good to go. Many people consider this to be the "right way" to do this swap. In a perfect world, if finances allow, you'll be going this route.

Pros: ability to run stock-offset wheels 15" and up. A slight improvement in brakes. Untouched ABS system.

Cons: expensive and rare. Only a slight improvement in brakes.

FRONT:

REAR:

E36 Options

This guide focuses on these swap options. There are a few ways of doing this and I will cover all of the ones I have attempted on several cars. I recommend to have a basic understanding of what you're working with and understand basics of your Suspension. A lot of knowledge here has been compiled from dozens of swaps from many members of the E30 community, and information in section is correct.

Pros: wide selection of wheels from street to racing applications. A significant improvement in brakes. Depending on how resourceful you are, this swap will cost significantly less.

Cons: You must run wheels 16" and higher. More reading and work involved. It's very easy to lose count and spend more money than your E30 is worth.

Front Setup

Front is very simple, but due to use of E36 M3 parts, it is the more expensive part of the build. It is not unlikely to score all of the parts used fairly cheap.

Parts List: Very important to find a '96+ E36 M3 to source parts from, but if you can't find all of these parts in one place, put this kit together.

E36 M3 Parts

Part	Application
Spindles, Brakes, Struts, ABS Sensors	1995-98 M3, Z3 M-Coupe/M-Roadster
Control Arms	1996+ E36 M3 #31-12-2-228-461/462*
Control Arm Bushings	Offset E30/E36/Z3
Brake Lines	E30
Springs	E30
Strut Mounts	E30

• If (like me) you've sourced used arms, remember that MZ3 models came with control arms stamped 465/466, and they are exactly the same as E36 M3 control arms. Very important to have right control arms for front caster to be correct.

Spindles and Brakes

You definitely want to use E36/Z3 M-spindles. Make sure spindles you're getting have good bearings and donor car hasn't been smashed in the front. Bent parts are no fun to work with, not to mention, potentially dangerous. Makes sure rotors and calipers are in good shape, if you're installing used parts.

• I originally used standard E36 spindles and brakes, but caster just does not work out. Wheel sits too far back and very often rubs. However, you may use standard E36 spindles and brakes, I did for a good number of months, but you HAVE to figure out caster. I used camber plates to fix caster just enough to reduce rub. Personally, if you're going through this conversion, do it right the first time.

This is one of the solutions that I have seen. Notice camber plate and where shock is mounted. If that camber plate wasn't so awful and functionless, I'd recommend people to do this on the cheap. The way this works is, that it moves entire strut assembly over outer ball-joint forward. I've seen people drill new holes for strut mounts right in the strut tower. This method can be used as resolution for using standard E36 spindles OR using stock E30 control arms, BUT NOT BOTH.

Struts

If you’re planning to reuse your current springs, you MUST have E36 M3 struts or, at least, strut housings. New ones are expensive. Prices on these start at $170 for Bilstein Sports each, and that’s “STARTING AT” on eBay.

I was able to come up with a more affordable solution and at the same time allow affordable strut insert replacement in the future. Link bellow will take you through my E36 M3 strut build. http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=139412

I've made two sets, one is for DD/Eibach Pro-Kit and one for coil-overs. Gave me versatility to switch between suspensions, whenever I feel like, because swaps don't take more than 30 minutes up front.

• Warning of wisdom: I have yet to receive/find a set of stock E36 struts that aren't blown. You better have a very good relationship with the seller if buying used. You've been warned

Control Arms

This is a very specific set of parts. You MUST use 96+ E36 M3 control arms and offset CABs (Control Arm Bushings). Note the year, this is a very important bit of information. E36 M331-12-2-228-461 (left) and 31-12-2-228-462 (right) or MZ331-12-2-228-465 (left) and 31-12-2-228-466 (right)

These are standard E30/E36 control arms compared to proper E36 M3 control arms. You can easily spot the difference in the shape around outer ball-joint. E36 M3 control arm doesn't only move wheel forward, but it also moves wheel outward by a few millimeters

E30/ silver - E36 M3/ black

Please refer to the Spindles section.

$100 Control Arm Solution

Prices on these control arms aren't low. I couldn't imagine spending $170+ per side on control arms, so I looked for other possibilities...

Parts Needed: 1. Used '96+ E36 M3 control arms from your local BMW shop's scrap bin. 2. e30 Ball Joints. I spent $72 on Lemforders at Carquest (WorldPAC).

Tools Needed: 1. Press and a good large socket selection to use with the press.

Save $200 and keep original equipment on your car.

WARNING:

Do not buy Chinese or off-brand control arms. This is a very crucial part of your suspension and you do not want to take chances. BMW and factory control arms are forged, but it is very common with Chinese knock-off to be cast. Cheap imitations appear to have forge line, but then you can easily see cast mark running through the forge mark. This happens, because counterfeiters use mold of a forged control arm to cast theirs. A lot of those brands mislead by using "OE" in their names. Don't fall for that trap. This applies to all suspension parts.

USE: BMW, Lemforder, Meyle or TRW.

When sourcing your parts, make sure you get all of the hardware: brake caliper bolts, strut/spindle bolts, caliper rattle clips, etc... There's nothing more frustrating, than trying to find all this hardware while your car is already taken apart. Get all these bolts with your parts, because all of these bolts are high strength and cost a pretty penny from dealership. You don't want to try and find parts at a great price, just to have to spend over $100 on bolts. Think smart, think ahead.

Rear Setup

You have three true and tried options.

318ti/Z3(I4) trailing arms

This is a quick and easy bolt-on using nothing, but trailing arm assemblies. Pros: cheap, $250 gets you in. As easy as replacing trailing arms. Cons: smaller rear wheel bearing.

To answer all basic questions about this option: You Need: trailing arms, brakes. You DON'T Need: anything else.

Hubs and brakes

Quick and easy and gets my nod for being a slightly better option.

Pros: Do not have to remove trailing arms or disconnect parking brakes. ABS is untouched. Proper size rear wheel bearing. $300 is still a fair buy-in.

Cons: same size brakes as 318ti.

Here are two different setups depending on your model year. Combine "Universal Parts" list with your model application list for full parts list.

Universal Parts

Qty	Part	Part Number	Model
2	Brake Carrier	34-21-1-162-436	E36 318ti or any z3
2	Brake Caliper	xx-xx-x-xxx-xxx	any non-M E36/7
2	Brake Pads	34-21-6-761-239	any non-M e36/7
2	Rotor Screw Set	34-21-1-161-806	any e36 or z3
2	Axle Nut Lock	33-41-1-124-945	E30

84-85 325e (small bearing)

Qty	Part	Part Number	Model
2	Wheel Bearing	33-41-1-124-358	e36 318ti OR z3(I4)
2	5-lug Hub	33-41-1-095-768 or 33-41-1-095-770	e36 318ti or z3(I4)
2	Brake Rotor	34-21-6-758-552 or 34-21-1-164-399	e36 318ti or z3(I4)

86+ 318/325 (factory bearing)

Qty	Part	Part Number	Model
2	Wheel Bearing	33-41-1-130-617	z3(I6) (stock e30)
2	5-lug Hub	33-41-1-095-772	z3(I6)
2	Brake Rotor	34-21-1-164-399	z3(I6)

Legend:

e36/7 - e36 (3-series) and e37 (z3 chassis)

z3(I4) - 4-cylinder Z3 (1.9L)

z3(I6) - 6-cylinder Z3 (2.5L, 2.8L and 3.0L)

Use MZ3 parts

Converting to M-Roadster/M-Coupe rear 5-lug = MONEY. Aside from being the best swap option, it is also by far the most expensive.

Pros: complete bolt-on. Enormous rear brakes. Improved rear wheel bearings. reinforced trailing arms.

Cons: expensive (easy $1000) and rare to find. Have to splice-in ABS sensors.

Parts List: Trailing Arms w/hubs and ABS sensors Brakes (same as e36 m3) including Parking Brakes CV Axles Differential Output Flanges

Trailing Arms and Hubs

Not all trailing arms (TAs) are created equal. There are some fundamental differences in trailing arms and hubs.

1984-85 325e

These TAs use small 72mm bearings (like 318ti and Z3(I4)). Plugging in 318ti hubs or Z3(I4) and brakes is a great plug and play. ABS sensors wouldn't have to come out, and

84-85 318i models had drum brakes and had no provisions for calipers.

1986+ 318 and 325

These TAs use standard 75mm bearing, that's used on BMW 3-series for nearly 2 decades and Porsche's. Plugging in Z3(I6) hub with brakes, is quick and easy.

318ti/Z3(I4)

TA's themselves are identical to 84-85 325e with one exception: ABS bung is shaved down to fit E36 ABS sensor. From this point on, if you use trailing arms that are non-e30, you will have to wire up e36 ABS sensors.

Z3(I4 and I6)	318ti
23.2mm wider than e30	18mm wider than e30

As you can see, there's a difference in height of the rotor. That difference is due to the height of the hub itself. Very often, you see people debate on what offset wheels they car run, and this debate is largely due to this very significant difference. Vice of Z3 hubs: you have to do a lot of rear quarter work to fit ET20/23 wheels. Bonus of Z3 hubs, you can easily run many e36/e46 staggered wheels and not shy away for putting a lot of meat (tire) on them. 245/40-17 comfortably fits under rear quarter panel on wheels ET41-ET50. 318ti hub is 5mm shorter, than Z3 hub. This is a hidden advantage/disadvantage of running 318ti TAs/hubs. On one hand, you are able to run lower offset wheels, and some run offset as low as ET20 (most ET23) with stretched tires and rolled fenders. Some even resort to running higher offset wheels with spacers.

Z3(I6) 2.5L, 2.8L and 3.0L

Putting legends to rest with logic: Z3(I6) models are wider, than their 4-banger counterparts. Z3(I6) received wider rear arches for that aggressive look, BUT along with that, trailing arms and CV axles were also widened. These trailing arms are a whopping 20mm wider per side. That added to hubs also being 23.2mm wider, you've officially moved e30's ET20 perfect offset to ET63.2.

Personally, I don't know of any BMW or aftermarket wheels in that offset and still be 5x120. This setup is simply not plausible without doing wide-body conversion.

MZ3

Geometrically, these TAs are exactly the same as Z3(I6) from previous section. They're 20mm wider, than all other trailing arms. Unlike all other trailing arms, MZ3 got giant wheel bearings and M3 hubs and brakes. Significance of getting M3 hubs is, that hubs are same height as standard e30 hub, which results in ET0 additional offset. Do quick math and you'll see that final offset of using MZ3 rear results in ET40 final result. ALSO, these TA's are reinforced with A-support beam, and extra support at shock mounting and bearing housing.

Unlike Z3(I6), you can use this option. Along with trailing arms, you must also use: CV axles and Diff Flanges from MZ3.

I strongly recommend using trailing arms that you have on the car. Not having to remove them, saves you a lot of time and aggravation. On top of that, you also get to keep your ABS sensors in place, simplifying this conversion.

Brakes

This is a very important part of the project, as there's no point to have larger brakes and have worse stopping distance.

We're going to cover only standard non-M e36/7 calipers:

From "Universal Parts" chart above, you see that all non-M e36/7 rear brakes use same pads and all caliper carriers that bolt up are also the same.

NOT ALL CALIPERS ARE THE SAME

Model	Info
318ti	Bolts right up. Uses 32mm caliper piston.
Z3(I4-I6)	Bolts right up. Used 34mm caliper piston. Improvement.
325i/328i	Because on e36's brake lines come from under the CV axle, these calipers have to be flipped over. Right to left and left to right, makes them bolt right up. 34mm caliper piston. Very easy to find and to bleed.

ABS

E36 use 3-wire ABS sensors, while e30's use 2-wire. That is because e36 used ABS sensors as ABS and speed sensors for brakes and traction control. Color-match the wires and cap off extra wire.

Brake Lines

Use E30 brake line.

Parking Brake Cables

Use stock E30 cables.

Wheels

http://r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=132194 http://r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=139231

FAQ

What else can/should I do while there?

Depends on how much you're spending...

1. Urethane subframe, diff, trailing arm, control arm bushings

2. Stainless steel brake lines

3. Sway bars

4. Adjustable toe/camber weld-ons

5. Camber plates and shock mounts

6. E36 steering rack

7. Upgraded master cylinder.