New to the site, and just bought a 2003 M45.....wheels and suspension questions

[sangholee76]

Hello everyone. New to the site, and just bought myself a black 2003 M45, and what a great vehicle it is! Engine is perfect as is, but I was considering purchasing new wheels and suspension to lower the car a few inches. Do you guys have pictures, or suggestions on good options? Thank you in advance.

[auditech10]

From opinions Ive seen, most like dished wheels or fat spokes, not skinny spokes because they seem to compliment the car a little bit more. There are so many wheels you really should just go to a wheel shop online and pick the ones that catch your eyes to most. You can fit 20x8.5 or even 9 in front and 20x8.5-20x10.5 in the rear, offsets being around 35-40 tires being 245/35/20 in front and 245/35 or 275/30 in the rear.As far as suspension goes you will not find anything that fits this car as of right now, Eibach discontinued their production of springs for this car and cakedaddy on this forum claims to have gotten one of the last sets.

[auditech10]

Oh and I see you are new to the site, please dont get offended but feel free to use the SEARCH button for anything you might want to know about. cheers

[szh]

Welcome to NICO!

Z

[eskay]

You will WANT Eibach Pro Kit Springs and you will NOT find them. I located and purchased the last earthly set a few weeks ago, and was extremely lucky. 6371 Eibach's were discontinued several years ago. Some sites will list them on their site, but will tell you that they have to order from Eibach when you call, which has none. Check out this Ebay auction # 290094938461. These went for nearly $500 total! I was going to bid, but I was VERY lucky to find a new pair sitting on a shop's shelves for $225 shipped! To be completely honest, I would have eventually sold this car if I were not able to locate Eibach's for it. This car NEEDS it. Cars from the factory look unfinished and need at least a 1" drop, w/ all the benefits in handling and performance w/o ride sacrifice. You can only get that w/ Pro Kit.

Good Luck!

[CakeDaddy]

I scored mine back in Jan 2006 from Shox.com I believe and was told that this was the last set. Since then I've seen a set on ebay go for nearly $500 and just last month Eskay scored a set from......... ?? but anyhow, they are nearly impossible to find. We have all beat this topic to death and we've all come to the same conclusion. Everyone here has exhausted every option and we are still un able to fime those 6371.140 Eibachs. Good luck and welcome!

Foose SpeedStarsEibached 1.0 in. all around with no rub or fender roll Fronts 20x8.5 34mm offset 245/35 Rears 20x9.5 40mm offset 265/35

[eskay]

I got my Eibach's a few weeks ago at Adolph's dealer supply in CA. I literally called 30 some odd websites to see if they had them in stock. Nobody did. Then I called Eibach again and the rep there is the one that saved me. He looked at the last 5 dealers that purchased these springs from Eibach and gave me their phone numbers to see if they still had them. (obviosuly a HUGE long shot, but I called anyways). But to my surprise, the third shop I called had a set on their shelves!!!!!!!!

I assume a customer ordered them and did not pick them up. I'm not too sure how or why, but I DID NOT CARE!!! I got them for $225 shipped. They had no box, just manual, sticker and springs. I had the rep check to make sure they were 6371's. He even called Eibach to make sure they are for an 03-04 M45. They were!

I haven't installed them just yet. When I have time, I plan to do some warranty work, then install w/ wheels. I will post pics as soon as I do. I do like to tell this story b/c I was lucky as hell, and crazy fortunate I got a set! Hopefully somebody else who needs Pro Kit's will have a story to tell like mine. Peace

[loans4homes]

Yes ...Eskay got lucky, even before his attempt to locate I spent some time looking as well..NONE Found...numerous shops/distributors and websites called, I already called Eibach twice for differnet distributors and no luck...

But I do have some good news...Intrax is develpoing a 1.2" drop spring for our 03-04 M45 cars that will be out this summer. Not sure if early or mid-summer...but they are in "prototype pre-production phase" and ARE going to be availible soon...they already have a part number for them.

So good things come to those who wait...a little extra drop. Plus for me, just enough time to wear my tires out ..then I can justify buying new rims and tires as well as the drop springs. Yahoo!!

The tough decision is the 20" wheels I will go with...I am up in the air still but the TSW -Thruxtons are so far my #1 choice..saw them on another 03/04 Black M45 with Eibachs and it look kick arss...

I do like the look of my "stock 18" chromers" though, it is starting to grow on me and with a drop and lower profile tires maybe I will stick with them...

[auditech10]

na forget the 18 stockers, grab a set of fx 20 in chrome and you will be set, I think

[szh]

I do like the look of my "stock 18" chromers" though, it is starting to grow on me and with a drop and lower profile tires maybe I will stick with them...

Warning: OPINION ahead!

To everybody considering changing wheels: I would strongly recommend sticking with the stock wheels and spending the money on outstanding tires instead! Something like the Michelin Pilot PS2 will give you way better performance and handling and you will be happier in the long run.

Yeah, the stock rims do not "look as good" as some of the stuff you can get, but short of buying some expensive low-weight rims (like Ray's) and tires, it ain't worth swapping really!

Z

[auditech10]

On a sports car I would worry about wheel weight but we are already starting off with a 4000 beast, an extra 10 or 15 pounds aint going to hurt us very much at all, though.Oh and PS2s are the dogs balls when it comes to tyres! I can and will vouch for those.

[szh]

On a sports car I would worry about wheel weight but we are already starting off with a 4000 beast, an extra 10 or 15 pounds aint going to hurt us very much at all, though.

Static weight, yes, you are correct. But, when spinning, that weight of the wheel and tire can and does have a small impact on acceleration, albeit not enough to matter for most people. Which is why I recommend sticking with the OEM wheels in general!

Oh and PS2s are the dogs balls when it comes to tyres! I can and will vouch for those.

Good to know!

Z

[maxnix]

On a sports car I would worry about wheel weight but we are already starting off with a 4000 beast, an extra 10 or 15 pounds aint going to hurt us very much at all, though.

If one is interested in performance or ride, one should be very concerned about unsprung mass and any increase over stock, as that is what the suspension is calibrated to. Also, the spring rate of the tire's sidewall will have some affect on the suspension tuning also.

Think about the tire first, then work back to the best (lightest and strongest) wheel that will fit on the car and allow the tire to operate at its optimum. If you want a driveway queen, then be very concerned about how your "rims" appear. When you are using your vehicle (i.e.- the wheels are moving) looks are totally immaterial.

PS2 are the nueces. Get a very good alignment and they will last if your suspension is up to new OEM standards.