E85 Front Hub/knuckle change to Z4M setup

[Seal3.0]

Hi Folks,

I've had a search around the forum and 'how to' pages but can't find anything relevant. Apologies though if I've missed it.

My poor 'Anna-Nicole' (my E85C nicknamed by a mate at work because 'she's gorgeous but expensive! :lol: ) has been stuck in the garage for a few years slowly being neglected due to life events. I'm finally giving her a bit of love to get her back on the road. She's in great shape thankfully but the original M Sport suspension, after 94k definitely needs a refresh. Last year I ordered a set of KW V3. Finally got round to fitting them, having not checked them like a muppet :headbang:, and they've sent the set for Z4M which has a different knuckle setup.

Anna runs this setup (which is the e46 knuckles)
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BT53-USA-01-2004-E85-BMW-Z4_30i&diagId=31_0646

Versus the Z4M setup (which, I think, is actually the setup from the e36)
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=BT91-EUR-11-2004-E85-BMW-Z4_M32&diagId=31_0758

So sadly, the set I recieved doesn't fit. KW UK and Chris Pratt at All Square have been great and were happy to swap the set but KW Germany are refusing as they're over 3 months old. They're well within their rights of course, not helpful, but I should have double checked when I recieved them.

Anyhow, rather than faffing around trying to sell the set I have and ordering a new set, I wondered how easy it would be to change the knuckles to the E36/Z4M hubs/knuckles???

Has anyone done this already? If so, could you please share your experience?

I should add that I upgraded to the bigger front brake setup a few years ago so already have the bigger caliper carriers, which, at this stage is the only thing I think might be the issue. Everything else looks the same to me.

Thanks for reading and any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Jakg]

I should add that I upgraded to the bigger front brake setup a few years ago so already have the bigger caliper carriers, which, at this stage is the only thing I think might be the issue. Everything else looks the same to me.

I'm not sure what brake setup you have, but the 325mm 330i setup isn't the same as the Z4M calipers. I'm not even sure the bolt spacing is the same.

 

[Seal3.0]

Thanks for the reply Jakq.

I' am running the 325mm front setup and so you're right. Looking at RealOEM, the caliper part numbers differ to the Z4M. That said if the carrier bolt spacings are the same and so my carriers fit, then my current setup should still work. Right? :-?

 

[Jakg]

Thanks for the reply Jakq.

I' am running the 325mm front setup and so you're right. Looking at RealOEM, the caliper part numbers differ to the Z4M. That said if the carrier bolt spacings are the same and so my carriers fit, then my current setup should still work. Right? :-?

You cant swap the Z4M calipers on the regular Z4 so logic stands the reverse doesn't work, either.

 

[Mister T]

I'm pretty sure it's possible, I vaguely remember a Driftworks video on youtube about them putting the Z4M setup in Phil's V10 E46

 

[Seal3.0]

Thanks chaps for the replies.

I've found a pair of Z4M hubs on fleebay and gone for it. The chap measured the caliper carrier bolt spacings and they match so fingers crossed.

I intend to get them powered coated and new bearings whilst I'm there so I'll post an update in a few weeks.

I'll either have a working setup or sparkling set of front hubs for sale. :?