E30, E36, E46 Front wheel bearing/hub heights

[Supafly]

Hi,

I'm converting to 5 stud using the epytec sleeves but would like to maintain a balanced brake system by using a complete e46 328i braking system.

The epytec adapters increase track width by 7mm. The e46 328i front discs are overall 16.5 mm greater in height.

I don't want to be in a position where the front wheels(style 5 16"x8" et 23) are poking out from the bodywork.

So does anyone know what the heights are for the E30, E36 and E46 front wheel bearings/hubs?

Or has anyone already done this conversion?

The common methods are to run e46 M3 front discs and calipers or E36 M3 discs and calipers with 540i caliper brackets. Both of these options shift the balance forwards and this isn't something I would like to do.

Thanks in advance

For the rears, I plan to use z4 hubs with the e46 328i rear brakes.

[Supafly]

Quoted from HairyScreech

"Are the E28 bearings the same width as the E36/46/34/32 etc bearings?
If so they are about 6mm wider, which is enough to mean you only have about 3 turns of thread holding the bearing on, a standard lock nut is then too long to pinch over properly and does not really contact enough thread.
To make it worse the E30 lock nut is not big enough to hold the bearing on properly due to the larger inner diameter of the 5 stud bearing (37mm bearing inner).

Yes the offest comes out about the same as an E30, but all the 5 stud BMW disc have deeper "top hats" than E30 4 stud discs.
This means either aftermarket disc or you have the issue of the disc being too deep for the hub and contacting the lower wishbone joint.

With that said, using stock e30 front callipers and Z3 rear calipers combined with 300mm front and 270mm rears the brake bias is within a couple of percent of the standard bais.

One further thing to think about is that the front offset is wrong and actually results in a 10mm narrower front track with Et41 wheels.
Throw in lowering and the associated roll centre issue and I have to question if this route is worthwhile as a performance upgrade.

If you are only after looks then fine and the performance you will get is still much better than stock e30 bits, but considering the pain involved probably not worth it.

Personally I am looking at converting some other struts to take E30 style lower joints, this will give me control of the castor and roll centre, allowing correct front geometry in a manner similar to the M3 but at much less cost and with greater stiffness."

I'm off to find his thread now.