Need help with wheel size!

[tysoncode11]

Hey so I’m doing something a bit different with my e93 m3. I bought it from a salvage auction and plan to body swap it with a ‘64 Corvair considering the wheelbase is very similar. However I need help figuring out the smallest wheel I can fit on the m3. I’ve tried doing some research and I think there’s only one wheel made by apex that is a 17” and will clear the brakes. Are there brake kits out there that are smaller than factory? If not I will just be running the factory brakes. Does anyone know for sure of any 17” wheels that will clear? And id like to tuck the wheels in more if anything because the bmw is already wider than the Corvair so help with offset would be appreciated too. Thankyou!

[M3SQRD]

I don’t know of any specific 17” wheels that will but what’s listed below all have similar outspacing.

For the front, any 17x9et15, 17x9.5et20 and 17x10et25.

For the rear, any 17x9.5et20, 17x10et25, 17x10.5et37 and 17x11et30.

Have you compared weights? The s65 has a little trouble pulling the mass of an e93 around. More weight will put more strain on the small disp NA 4.0 L V8 which is best paired with the DCT (constant acceleration even on upshifts).
EDIT - Corvair nom weight is 2365 lbm vs 3900 for e93 M3. I was incorrect, Covair isn’t too far off from weighing 1/2 as much as the e93 M3. An s65 pulling around 2400 lbm would be a blast to drive! Good luck with your projects!

[S65Hunter]

Originally Posted by M3SQRD

I don’t know of any specific 17” wheels that will but what’s listed below all have similar outpacing.

For the front, any 17x9et15, 17x9.5et20 and 17x10et25.

For the rear, any 17x9.5et20, 17x10et25, 17x10.5et37 and 17x11et30.

Have you compared weights? The s65 has a little trouble pulling the mass of an e93 around. More weight will put more strain on the small disp NA 4.0 L V8 which is best paired with the DCT (constant acceleration even on upshifts).

I wouldn't be surprised if the e93 weighs substantially more than the Corvair

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by S65Hunter

I wouldn't be surprised if the e93 weighs substantially more than the Corvair

You are correct. Nominal weight is 2365 lbm vs 3900 lbm for the e93 M3.

[amrazM]

This is what a body swap means for anyone who is unsure and talking about weight

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by amrazM

This is what a body swap means for anyone who is unsure and talking about weight

Thanks for the video but I had pictured it correctly in my head. Sounds like a cool project but then that’s one less e9x M on the street. I like the car picked in the video as a better choose. Who’s going to miss a regular e9x 3 series

[pedro2u]

Wow, this is a time machine moment for me.... I'm older.... but my very 1st car as a 16 year old was a 62 Corvair coupe, and many, many (and many more) years later I'm driving a 2011 V8 M3 E93 6MT.... Heaven..

Car guys are car guys.... I'd call this a car guy's evolution. I'm in my 70's...

Personally, I'd love to see my M3 under a 65-69 Corvair body style instead, that would be my favorite. I had both a 62 and 64 Corvair, and based on that, my sister bought a '65 Corsa Spider, OMG.... what a car! Gimme that under an E9x M3

You'd have an unrecognized super sleeper!

[Three Pedal Steve]

Years ago, at the local autoX event, there was 1965 Corvair Monza with a 327 SBC mounted in the back seat. It was well sorted and the fastest thing on the track that day.

Corvairs were actually awesome and innovative little cars when introduced. Think about it- a rear mounted flat six with a turbocharger and four speed. Ten years before Porsche had such a car.

Corvair Trivia- The only car that Ralph Nader has ever owned is a 1962 Corvair. He still has it in the 'Ralph Nader Library'.