Shock sizes and wheel fitments?

[TAG-TIMER]

Hello everyone

I am new on here and first time I have owned a BMW so please excuse my ignorance but have a few questions and hope you guys/ girls could help.

I have BMW 325i touring with 51mm shocks and want to run 9j wheels on the front as-well-as the back, and was wondering what is the highest offset wheel I could go to without arch mods?

and is it worth while converting to the thinner 45mm shocks to allow the wheel to tuck more?

and finally is there a disadvantage to doing this?

Many thanks in advance

[/img]

[motormanmick]

Hello Tag-timer, I would stick with the 51mm shocks, the e30 wiki says these are std on the 325 touring and bmw did that for a reason, it will have to do with engine weight and the shocks ability to absorb bumps, so going to a smaller shock will upset that balance, so stick with them.

Your looking at putting some serious rubber on that car, I have 8j all round in 17in rims with 225/35/17 front and 245/30/17 on the rear and love that look, I have to roll my rear guards, the wiki pages have some info (link below) that may help, cheers.

http://e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/index.php/Wheels

[TAG-TIMER]

Thanks that really does help, I understand what you are saying about the front shocks, however just thought it might be ok as the four door and coupes seem to run the thinner shocks.

However I do agree with what you are saying, the link is also very helpful and will have a look and decide.

Thanks for the advice much appreciated.