Will larger wheels "lower" the car?

[chongasm]

I want to lower my car about an inch and half, but I was thinking if I get 17"s, would it still look lowered without the drop? And if I drop it and put 17s, will I need to get low profile wheels?

Or should I just upgrade the 15"s for performance?

[LAWLence]

It will not look lowered. The outer diameter of the tire will be about the same as your 15s. You'll need to run lower profile tires for 17's anyway... otherwise your car will look like a monster truck.

[GoodguyFly]

It will not look lowered. The outer diameter of the tire will be about the same as your 15s. You'll need to run lower profile tires for 17's anyway... otherwise your car will look like a monster truck.

+1. There is definitely a difference with a change in wheel size. The car itself will look more aggressive and I think it seems to have a lower stance even though it does not.

[chongasm]

Do you have to roll the fenders on 17"s without a wider wheelbase?

[Quailane]

Do you have to roll the fenders on 17"s without a wider wheelbase?

The M3 runs 17x7.5" and 17x8.5" stock with no problems. It will look very weird and out of place on a stock suspension though.

[ozbmw]

Wheels have no effect on lowering the body if you are using the proper overall diameter on a given wheel, only the ratio of rim diameter vs wheel diameter is changing when you go from 15 to 17 or 18 etc. Larger rim diameter therefore means there is less sidewall height required on the tyre, hence low profile tyres are used which reduce the 'slip-angle' which means you steering becomes more direct, but it also means the car has a tendency to follow road imperfections (tramlining) as the tyre is less able to absorbs these. The effect of using lowered springs is to lower the car's centre of gravity ( which will mean it will handle a bit better). The lowered springs are also firmer to compensate for the loss of available travel. This has the effect of harder ride but better and more predictable handling.

To put it simply: If you want great handling and looks on a 328i E36 BMW you should lower it about 25 - 35 mm and upgrade to 17 x 8 rims using 235/40 zr 17 tyres (Toyo T1R are good)
Springs llike H&R, Eibach, Racing Dynamics and Hartge are nearly identical (use the street not race versions) and are similarly priced and readily available. With a 25mm drop you do not have to change struts or shocks although further gains can be made by doing so.

Going to 18 and 19" rim diameters will cost much more with very little or no handling benefit and no real looks benefit either.

If you're budget doesn't allow doing all at once then I would get the 4 springs and the front struts first, the rear shocks and wheels later.

[BMW328MC]

ozbmw, if I wanted to lower my stock e36 25mm, what exact springs should I get? Thanks

[chongasm]

ozbmw, well I am getting new struts for the front and shocks for the back. if i go ahead and buy all the springs, should it cost any extra to put them on?

My mechanic says they dont do any aftermarket suspension work. But I dont see what the problem is if I just buy parts that fit and bring it in. What do yall think?

Also, would it be bad if I dropped just the front? I would like to have better cornering, and also for the front wheels to not look raised higher up than the rear if you know what I mean.

[ozbmw]

Eibach Prokit lowers about 25mm from standard fitment on an m3 maybe a bit more on a non M.

If you're having struts done anyway there should be no extra cost. The rear springs take about 1 minute per side to change once the wheel is removed and the shock bottom bolt is undone.

[jr1966]

if I wanted to lower my stock e36 25mm, what exact springs should I get? Thanks

H&R OE Sports. Lowers the car about an inch or 26mm.

[UT09]

h&r are the shit...had great experiences with them at least