Help on E36 fitment...

[suspenceful]

I just picked up a set of staggered 18s and I want to know if they will rub at all, on the fender or on the strut. The car is at stock ride height right now, but I'll be lowering it a decent amount next week. I sits on 17x8.5" ET40 with 245/40/17s at the moment with no rubbing at all.

The new wheel specs:
Front 18x8 ET38 with 235/40/18
Rear 18x9 ET38 with 255/35/18

The fronts came with 225/40/18 but the insides were torn apart, so that makes me wonder i the 235/40/18s will fit since I have them laying around.

I'm not new to fitment, just new to these cars.

Appreciate any help. Also, pictures of similar setups would be awesome.

[motocaddy]

it will fit fine, but those are very large tire sizes and sunken specs. you won't be able to go low

[suspenceful]

Why wouldn't I be able to go low?

My understanding is that if they fit fine, I should be able to go low, it'll just be sunk (which I'm okay with, until I get smaller tires and spacers).

[motocaddy]

Why wouldn't I be able to go low?

My understanding is that if they fit fine, I should be able to go low, it'll just be sunk (which I'm okay with, until I get smaller tires and spacers).

just comparing them to my 215/40/17s (common size on low e36s), your front tires would be 1.75" taller and rears would be 1.25" taller.

[DopeStep]

^^
This.

Also, et38 is pretty high for an e36. I imagine coilovers will be making contact with tyres/wheels without spacers for sure..

[Zic]

If you run coil overs, you will need a 5-10mm spacer in the front.

[suspenceful]

Just got the 235/40/18's mounted... yep they're fat. Stay tuned for pictures of the wheels installed this week. Gonna try to go for a meaty stance.

[suspenceful]

I'm such a tease. by Jake Spence Photography, on Flickr


Lippage by Jake Spence Photography, on Flickr

[motocaddy]

pretty much as suspected, tucking tire and still 3-4" off ground. some 215/35s are definitely in order here.

also, how bad is the rust on your car?! never seen an e36 door that bad.

[suspenceful]

pretty much as suspected, tucking tire and still 3-4" off ground. some 215/35s are definitely in order here.

also, how bad is the rust on your car?! never seen an e36 door that bad.

Yeah, but it's my daily. I want to be able to comfortably get places and the extra cushion from the tire will be nice. They need a small spacer to clear the front coilovers and a nice fender roll before I'll be able to drive it. I'll be swapping my winter setup when the snow falls (225/45/17's all around) and then next spring I'll probably grab some 225/40/18's for the fronts.

It's really rusty. It's been in the midwest for it's whole life, driven through winter every year. I'll be fixing most of it and spraying it after this winter unless it breaks down for some reason.

Here's a picture of my boosted Miata. Low enough for me, I don't need two cars that are 2" off the ground.


Swerve by Jake Spence Photography, on Flickr

[amoneylol]

miata needs to be lower too.

[suspenceful]

I hope you're kidding.


Keyed by Jake Spence Photography, on Flickr