5 Lug Conversion

[Leon.stt]

Hello guys,

I'm going to ask a question that has been discussed quite a few times. But I believe my situation is a little different. So please hear me out first before shooting flames on me.

I have an E30 318i MY 1990 with M40 engine and I'm planning to convert it to 5 lugs and rear disc brake. I know that many of you would suggest me to use M3 rear suspension parts or from ti models. The problem with that is those models were not sold in my country (Indonesia). So as you would imagine, these parts are almost non existence.

Is there any other solution I can look into? Here we have e30 sedans e36 sedans, e46 sedans.. These are pretty much all the models BMW officially sold in here.

Here's what I have in mind:
I can source e30 325i trailing arms and change the hub and disc brake assembly using e36 parts. As for the front setup, change the hub and disc assembly using e36 parts.

Is my solution possible?

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[somecarguy]

I am not conversant in the rear brake set up between the different models - is there no rear disc set up that bolts onto your current hubs? I struggle to see what benefits a five bolt setup offers a relatively stock E30.

[superj]

Just gives wheel options, i imagine

[richardodn]

There used to be a site called extradrei.com that detailed all of this. It appears to be gone. But if I recall correctly, there were some other options. Up front you could use the E36 M3 struts. In back you could use the either E36 ti or Z3 arms. There are many considerations to take into account that can make or break your swap. But that should get you started in your research for the specific parts you'd want. However none of them are simple bolt on changes.

With that said, I'd be curious to know why you want a 5 lug swap. There may be other paths to your goal that are simpler and cleaner.

[Leon.stt]

I am not conversant in the rear brake set up between the different models - is there no rear disc set up that bolts onto your current hubs? I struggle to see what benefits a five bolt setup offers a relatively stock E30.

Just gives wheel options, i imagine

There used to be a site called extradrei.com that detailed all of this. It appears to be gone. But if I recall correctly, there were some other options. Up front you could use the E36 M3 struts. In back you could use the either E36 ti or Z3 arms. There are many considerations to take into account that can make or break your swap. But that should get you started in your research for the specific parts you'd want. However none of them are simple bolt on changes.

With that said, I'd be curious to know why you want a 5 lug swap. There may be other paths to your goal that are simpler and cleaner.

Ok. Why 5 lug setup? Yes you are right..more wheel option. But to me the most important bit is the rear disc brake

[323i E30]

This site usually has some good info. Didn't read through it, but here you go: https://www.e30zone.net/e30wiki/inde...Lug_Conversion

[superj]

If you only wish to have rear disc brakes, any 6 cylinder e30 has rear discs. Just find some 325i or 325e stuff to swap over

[323i E30]

(...) any 6 cylinder e30 has rear discs. (...)

Except for the 320i.
Not sure if all of those have rear drums, but the one I owned did.

[somecarguy]

I don't know anything about wheel selection but I do know that the factory brakes are quite good on the cars with four wheel discs (4 lug) and can't see needing much more, even with a Sxx conversion.... for a road car. Great balance of pedal feel / parts cost / lack of noise. If you have track/dual purpose ambitions obviously there are other considerations.