e12 coilovers on e3

[Gpdenver]

The weather is finally getting nice here in Denver, and the time has come to upgrade the Bavaria suspension. The current plan for this summer is:

Coilovers with adjustable camber plates
Upgrade sway bars
Replace all bushings
Limited slip differential
Install 16x9 wheels with 225/45zr16 Toyo Proxes R1R
Install wilwood big brake kit

My question is how different is the e12 suspension to the e3. IE will build a coilover kit, but the ground control kit is much better suited to what I am looking for.

Will it bolt up? If not, how much modification will be required. I am fine with moderate fabrication, but if they require much I think I am better off getting a custom set fabricated from the beginning.

Thanks in advance

 

[Mike Goble]

I have E12 struts on my E3, they bolted right up.

Why the short 225/45's stretched out on a 9" rim? The recommended rim size is 7-8.5", and the specs are derived using a 7.5" rim. I had some 225/45/16 KDW's on 16x8's for a while, and they are really short.

Will the big brake kit fit under a 16" rim?

 

[Gpdenver]

I may end up going 225/50 16. I have a set of hoosier R6 race tires that I might mount up to test the size.

I do not want to go wider than 225 on the tire because my current wheels are 16x9 et0 for aesthetic purposes. I also am in negotiation for these which would end up being 16x9.5 et0:

The BBK from IE may or may not fit, but I will measure. If it does not, I will build a custom BBK with either AP racing, Wilwood, or Brembo calipers. A 295mm rotor with a 4 piston caliper should have no issues fitting under a 15" wheel, and I should be able to fit a 315mm rotor and 4 piston caliper no problem under a 16" wheel.

 

[Mike Goble]

A 9.5" rim with no offset will stick out past the fender. I have 8" et20's on mine, and a 9.5" et0 will have the outer lip of the rim 1.5" further out than mine. Here's a pic with a 2x4 (1-1/2" thick) held up to the rim. It started to pour as soon as I started snapping pics. The rear would require rolling the fenders and some really tight bushings in the rear to keep from rubbing.

 

[Gpdenver]

I have already test fit the wheels, and I will have no problem fitting them.

If I have to massage the fenders I will, but at this point I will not need to.

I will take some pictures of the car test fitting the wheels when I get back in town in a couple weeks.