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central3

E46 Makeover

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2 years into ownership and time for a makeover

Brought a set of BBS CH 18x8.5 rims off Bimmersport member Sammy J (thanks Sam). They were fitted with 245/40 tyres which I knew would be too large (diameter 25mm increase over OEM) but I fitted them to check clearances as I intended to lower the car and wanted to stay with 245’s on the rear. I was worried about the 35mm offset and sure enough the fronts and rears fouled when the suspension loaded up. Not surprising considering that my standard offset was 41mm (front) and 50mm (rear). To overcome this I decided to use a fix as viewed on E46 Fanatics.

Bolt holes drilled out to 22mm and then countersunk using a 35mm countersinking tool

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Carbon steel bolt seat inserts sourced ex a set of 300ZX rims.

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4mm machined off rim mounting face. New centre locating rings machined and fitted

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View of machined face, back side of steel inserts and centre locating ring.

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Inner side of rims repainted

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Rim lip repainted (damaged during tyre removal)

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Dunlop Sports Max tyres fitted 225/40/18 (front) and 245/35/18 (rear)

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Wheels fitted up with brake callipers detailed and a bit of chrome added (anti-rattle clips and wheel bolts)

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Bilstien shock absorbers and Eibach Pro-Kit springs fitted all round

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Had Auto Interior (Newmarket) fit a leather interior, very well priced and quick.

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Last job was a thorough clean and detail. Car washed, paint surface decontaminated using an Elasti-Clay clay bar, machine glazed using Farecla Gold Top glaze and waxed using Meguiars NXT.

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Car height and stance is exactly what I was after and no tyre fouling even with the car loaded

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Now thats dedication-love it

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Very pretty. I like alot

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nice dude! .. looks really good aye.

The whole package really suits.

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How much was the offset changed? And where did you source the eibachs from?

Just like everyone else is saying, you e46 looks mint

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Looks really nice man, keen to have a chat about the interior at some stage. =D

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Ahh perfect in so many ways. Way to go!

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How much was the offset changed? And where did you source the eibachs from?

Just like everyone else is saying, you e46 looks mint

The offset changed from 35mm to 39mm. Not a lot but the tyres were only just fouling on the rear. For the front the offset change on its own wouldn't have been enough hence fitting 225 tyres instead of going wier.

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Looks great. Love the wheels, a guy I know has them on his Golf GTI

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How much was the offset changed? And where did you source the eibachs from?

Just like everyone else is saying, you e46 looks mint

The springs were purchased for $300 from Euro_One in Otahuhu. They were unused German springs but the box looked like it had been sitting around for years. The paper work said they were made in 2005.

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