E34 lowered from 17inch rim -> 15in Wow!

[E34EuroTouring]

My 89 sedan had Mparallel 17 inch replicas (by Alpha of Taiwan) for some years and I swapped with my touring basketweaves that were 15inch (by 7 inch wide Euro stock).It had Eiback Prokit lowering spring with Bilstein Sports shocks, the ride comfort is Night & Day!. Now, really magic carpet ride on my sedan. Actually, the basketweaves looks ok with my Zender bodykit (and its loud exhaust...).On my 95 Touring, however, I can feel some roughness when pulling off but once the tires warmed up, its ok. All stock springs and boge stock shocks still (Bilsteins are on order for fronts first)... But the Mparallels looks real sharp on the touring. Now I can see my brake calipers and its new rotors I put in. I gotta do something with my tight steering....I still could not believe the level of confort the 15s gave to the lowered E34. When I got it, it had original BBS RK 18 rims. Beautiful wheels but the tires cost too much was I was tracking the car monthly and occasionally doing enthusiast races in the circuits. Those days are gone now...

 

[Iqlima]

Like the M-parallel but the ori only in 18 inch.Mind tell your experience on replica M-Parallel ?

 

[E34EuroTouring]

The original Mparallels comes in 18s only and are staggered. Meaning you put 225/40/18 front and 245/40/19 or 265/35/18 rear (damn expensive tires!).

I had BBS RK 18 inch originals when I got my sedan 4 years ago. It was wearing 245/40/18 Conti Sports Contact all round with standard spring and shocks. The ride was rather good for 18s in that configuration, then later I got EibackProKit lower spring and Bilstein Sports shocks. The ride becomes harsh but handling is superb. It corners like on rails.

4 months later, I decided that the 18in tires were costing me a fortune, so I traded for a set of Mparallel replica 17 (which I now has). These are ALPHA brand from Taiwan with ET18 and 7.5inch wide. First off was, Bridgestone G3 235/45/17 tires all round. Very good ride!. No harshness of the 18s and can corner just as well. My sway bars working harder to keep the body-roll down. It is the best compromise for E34 as it does look like 18s from about 4 feet away, especially using 225/45/17 tires.

Oh, those basket weaves on this car is just the Limo ride that I am after, now that my track days are over.

 

[Iqlima]

Hi,

Don't know if you know good place to ask for e32 lower spring ?

Iqlima

 

[GeeTRM5]

Iqlima,

Hehe... E34EuroTouring is a Malaysian who currently does not lives in Malaysia. Doubt he know parts shop here in KL???? However, he is a real sifu in UDM especially E34. Ask him anything, he will give you an answer.

 

[Iqlima]

rite ,tq :lol:

 

[E34EuroTouring]

Correct M-parallel Style 37 original BMW ones are only in 18 inch size and are staggered. 8 inch wide in front and 9.5 inches wide behind.

There were limited quantities of 17 inch Style 37 just distributed in Germany but these are very hard to find. The replicas took that form-factor to create the 17inch variant. They are cast rims not forged as in original, so cast rims are about 6-8 lbs heavier each.

For 17s, they are rather nice and looked decent while tire choices from 205 to 245 will fit. Offset tends to be ET15 or ET13. I think mine is ET 15, width is 7.5inch all round. I have fitted 235/45 , 225/45 and 225/50 tires on these rims. The 225/50 is very confortable as its profile is higher and sidewall a bit curved unlike the almost straight sidewall for 225 & 235 ZR-rated Bridgestones.

IF you have E32, I don't think using lower springs is a good idea. Best to replace shock abserbers with Bilsteins Sports (Yellow colour ones) and you get a firmer ride that the E32 feels much more sporty and can corner better if you have decent tires. To me, a 7-series is always more limo like than sporty sedan due to size and weight. Enjoy the space and nice ride, I would think. E34 rear seat space is a bit tight for my liking but we compromise anyway, the wagon (Touring model) has about 2 inches more leg room due to normal seats rather than buckets in sports sedan models. Good enough for me and that nice large trunk!.

 

[Iqlima]

tq for that opinion