"Making" M3 wheels fit

[dc4fire]

I know that M3 wheels off an '04 are too wide in the rear to fit my '96 328is, so my question is what exactly has to be done to get both the front and rear's to work out. Would a certain spacing, tire sizing, and fender rolling be enough? Perhaps I would have to change suspension components? Please tell me if it is worth the trouble if I can get the wheels cheap.

[Gary@Tirerack]

I know that M3 wheels off an '04 are too wide in the rear to fit my '96 328is, so my question is what exactly has to be done to get both the front and rear's to work out. Would a certain spacing, tire sizing, and fender rolling be enough? Perhaps I would have to change suspension components? Please tell me if it is worth the trouble if I can get the wheels cheap.

Its the rear wheels that are the problem. They arent just too wide, but the offset on the rear is very low which pushes them even further out.

I moderate over at http://forum.e46fanatics.com/forumdisplay.php?f=6 and from what I've seen the vast majority of those that have bought these wheels to fit have had serious issues, even with extensive fender lip rolling. To make matters worse the E36 car has even less clearance then the non-M E46 cars where guys have had a very hard time with fitment of the lower offset E46 M wheels. Bottom line : I would not even try it on an E36. Better off to purchase four front wheels and use them all around.

[The HACK]

I know that M3 wheels off an '04 are too wide in the rear to fit my '96 328is, so my question is what exactly has to be done to get both the front and rear's to work out. Would a certain spacing, tire sizing, and fender rolling be enough? Perhaps I would have to change suspension components? Please tell me if it is worth the trouble if I can get the wheels cheap.
First of all, they're not too wide to fit. It's not the width but the offset that will cause the problem. The offset on the M3 is way too low, thus causing the wheel to be pushed way past the fender. I've seen a few E46 based chassis with OEM M3 rear wheels, and trust me, you're doing nothing but destroying the tire you're running on. Spacers won't help you, because they decrease offset on a BMW rather than increase.

You are better off:

1) use all 4 front rims off of an M3.

2) find a local body shopt that will either cut, modify, or drastically roll the fenders to accomodate the M3 rims.

3) Replace the rear fenders with M3 fenders.

Number 1 is the cheapest alternative.

[dc4fire]

Thanks, I was hoping to hear otherwise. Let me ask this question then, where is a good place to get 2 oem's cheap (new or used) and is ebay the best bet for getting rid of the rears?

[The HACK]

Frankly, NO ONE is going to want to buy those rears, unless it's another guy with an M3...And chances are he'll probably want the fronts too.

Makes absolutely no sense to buy OEM M3 wheels, when replicas from reputable vendors cost less brand new and fits perfectly.

[Arthur]

agreed

[Pinecone]

What kind of shape are the rears? I could use a set. :) Seriously.

[dc4fire]

I believe one of the rears has some curb damage, by no means perfect. I was just looking to upgrade my destroyed stock rims cheaply.

[Pinecone]

Send me some pics, if you have the set and want to get rid of the rears.