Newbie tire/suspension question

#1

I’m in the process of begining to upgrade my E30 to the SpecE30 standards, a step at a time. I don’t know if I’ll go the entire way, but my thinking is if I want to sell the car, at least I have given someone a head start.

My E30 currently has 205/60/14 size tires. I’m thinking of installing the SpecE30 suspension setup: Bilstein Sports with the H&R race springs.

Does anyone know if this tire size will work on a daily driver with the lowered setup? Or must I change the tire size to 205/55/14 to prevent the tires from hitting the wheel wells?

#2

The difference is negligable, you should be fine.

#3

That’s what I had for tires on basket weaves with the spec suspension. I put a couple thousand miles on it like that. I found the higher profile will give you a better ride on the street because the flexing sidewalls of the tires do most of the suspension work. I had max camber as well with no ill affects. The tires did not wear a bit.

A bit of caution: make sure your front sway bar is connected so that the race springs stay seated. They are several inches shorter and do not require a spring compressor to install.

I used just a pinch of toe out. Well, actually when I put on the race suspension I ended up with a pinch of toe out and I smiled at my fortune. The car tracks exactly where pointed on the street and doesn’t feel darty.