18x9.5 ET33 - YES WE CAN!!!

[Dotpage]

Want a very aggressive look? After suffering thru 1/2 done solutions and dangerous ones(like spring braces), with the forum's help(thank you!) and input from my indy, the car now runs like a dream and looks like a BEAST!!!

Here is the recipe:

- front wheels: 18x8.5(no brainer here) w/ 235/18/40 tires
- rear wheels: 18x9.5 et33 w/ 255/18/35 tires
- 15mm Rear Spring Pads (http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-4213-15mm-rear-spring-pads-pair.aspx) - Thanks FiveNine
- Bilstein Heavy Duty (HD) Rear Shock - http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-2040-bilstein-heavy-duty-hd-rear-shock-for-bmw-e46-323iciit-325iicit-328ici-330ici-1999-2005.aspx

My fenders are rolled, but I did that before finding the correct solution, I do not believe you should have to do it, but it MAY be needed... Oh, and the ride is soooooooo much better with the Bilsteins...

Result(edited with today's pics):

http://gallery.me.com/eduardocesconetto#100618/DSC_4510&bgcolor=black

http://gallery.me.com/eduardocesconetto/100618/DSC_4511/web.jpg?ver=13037761790001

http://gallery.me.com/eduardocesconetto/100618/DSC_4512/web.jpg?ver=13037761800001

http://gallery.me.com/eduardocesconetto/100618/DSC_4513/web.jpg?ver=13037761810001

http://gallery.me.com/eduardocesconetto/100618/DSC_4514/web.jpg?ver=13037761820001

[az3579]

Your car doesn't appear to be lowered. I'd imagine this would pose a huge problem for someone with a setup like mine, for example... (not even 1/2" fender gap).

Looks much schmexier than before though! Good job.

[Dotpage]

you are correct, not lowered. it's technically 10mm taller in the rear, since the original pad for the 325i is 5mm.

[az3579]

Looking at it now, the gap seems a lot smaller from the side view. For a non-lowered car, that is looking pretty low. Probably because of the huge wheels. lol

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Moving this to the wheels forum.

[Dotpage]

hah, thanks Marcus, I shouldn't use ADD as an excuse..

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Eduardo, no worries. You know I have your back.

[Mike V]

Looking at it now, the gap seems a lot smaller from the side view. For a non-lowered car, that is looking pretty low. Probably because of the huge wheels. lol

I noticed that too. The rear end is noticeably sitting higher in the top two pics. Maybe the pics were taken shortly after the jack was lowered and removed?

[Dotpage]

will post new pics soon

[Dotpage]

here we go, just took these:

http://gallery.me.com/eduardocesconetto#100618/DSC_4510&bgcolor=black

http://gallery.me.com/eduardocesconetto/100618/DSC_4511/web.jpg?ver=13037761790001

http://gallery.me.com/eduardocesconetto/100618/DSC_4512/web.jpg?ver=13037761800001

http://gallery.me.com/eduardocesconetto/100618/DSC_4513/web.jpg?ver=13037761810001

http://gallery.me.com/eduardocesconetto/100618/DSC_4514/web.jpg?ver=13037761820001

[MasterC17]

Looks good, those wheels are very cool!

[az3579]

Wow, now it looks like the gap is gotten significantly larger. What is going on here????

[mimalmo]

Needs moar leaux.

[Hornung418]

Looks hellaraked...maybe it needs to settle? :dunno Methinks tomorrows pics will be lower ;)

[danewilson77]

Looks good Eduardo...

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW!

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Looks hellaraked...maybe it needs to settle? :dunno Methinks tomorrows pics will be lower ;)

Yes. Should settle a bit.

[Dotpage]

I like the way it looks, and it's parked on a small slope, also lowered the camera to take pics, this weekend I'll take it back downtown with the D5000 for some more pics. Thanks Dane & MasterC17!

[Johnmadd]

hah, thanks Marcus, I shouldn't use ADD as an excuse..

Really lol'ed at this. Your car looks better than my zhp right now.

[Mike V]

It's sitting like an Xi. Why is it sitting so tall? It shouldn't take that long to settle.

Just read the first post again. 15mm rear spring pads? Wow, I guess that explains the rear end sitting so high.

[Dotpage]

those are Xi pads, I can give the 10mm a shot, but I like the way it looks.

[Mike V]

those are Xi pads, I can give the 10mm a shot, but I like the way it looks.

If you like the way it looks, that's all that matters. :thumbup