17x8 et20mm = fits e36 with a lttle fender rolling
then
17x9 et23

3 mm difference = 0.1181inches

I would have to roll the fenders .88 inch more than normal

Question:
Is it possible to roll an inch of clearance with out messing up the rear fender?

What if i did a light lower ex: eibach 1 inch drop(for got the name)?

I believe you'd lose only about .38 inch clearance on outside, (.5 inch minus .118 inch). The 1" increase in overall wheel width is .5 inch extra on each outer and inner half.

You should take the car to a perf/tuner shop or bodyshop that has experience doing fender rolling on Bimmers and has the proper fender rolling tool, uses a heat gun to warm the paint

Of course if you lowered the car your clearances would decrease. Hard to say by how much due to the many variables involved- i.e. how much drop, tire size, brand

Just pull out fenders a bit, you should get enough clearance then. If you mounting 5 series wheels on E36, you want it or not, you are getting European look, wheels are out of the fender, it is very hard to hide them under the fender.

how is pulling any differnt than rolling?

Different process? explain?

Fender rolling the proper way utilizes a fender rolling tool and heat gun to warm the outside of the fender/ lip area. Other methods to roll or smash lips in (that are not advisable) include using baseball bats, and wood 2x4's with hammer/mallet.

"Pulling" fenders also could use hammers/mallets, or also a hydraulic piston- type tool that an autobody shop would have. Usually "pulling" or pushing fender area involves actually creating more clearance in the area of the fender just above the lip, or where the fender lip and rear bumper meet. You do get a little bit of this effect when you roll fender lips.

If I over (more then bending the inner fender) roll the fender will the do the same as pulling?

Almost

Take your car to a shop that has done this before...that's the best advice

17x8 et20mm = fits e36 with a lttle fender rolling


Sorry for stealing the thread, but how would 17X8 et34mm fit an E36? Any need for fender rolling? Tires are 225/45ZR17, and the set sticks out of the front fender less than 1/2''

Put a proper offset wheel back there and put some wide tires on it buddy.

Put a proper offset wheel back there and put some wide tires on it buddy.

The wheels are on, I'm not buying one more set. et34 was the highest et# they had.

Plus, I don't want even wider tires on a diesel 318 E36.

The wheels are on, I'm not buying one more set. et34 was the highest et# they had.

Plus, I don't want even wider tires on a diesel 318 E36.I was referring to the OP. As for your setup, I think you'll be OK. Barely though. Hopefully the tires have a pretty straight (not so round) sidewall.

Cool that you got a diesel btw!!

I was referring to the OP. As for your setup, I think you'll be OK. Barely though. Hopefully the tires have a pretty straight (not so round) sidewall.

Cool that you got a diesel btw!!


Oh ok thanks. They don't round too much, because they are on a 8'' wheel opposed to the more common 7,5'' wheel (so they have a micro streach :) ).

Yeah, diesels are the most common ones here in Europe (48mpg FTW :D ), as isthe torqueless 316i.