Need to roll my arches?

[BMW330d]

I have decided on the wheels and tyres that I am going to fit to my 330 saloon and I think that I will need to roll my rear arches.

Can anybody tell me how far it is possible to roll them without cracking the paint or creating any other problems? Will it be possible to gain 15mm of room?

Thanks for your help

[peppernick]

'rolling' the rear arches DOES NOT involve the outer surface of the wheel arch at all. The term is a misnomer, at least on E46 BMWs. All that is involved is the plastic weather stripping behind and inside the wheelarch is heated and melted away. You'll gain 1cm clearance. Then the inside of the wheelarch is protected with a layer of silicon to prevent the exposure of bare metal to the environment. Your paintwork will not be touched at all.

You'll only stretch the paintwork when you 'flare' the rear arches, but still there's plenty of 'give'.

[BMW330d]

Thanks for the quick reply nick, I dont think I explained myself very well, it is the inside edge of the arch return lip I was thinking of rolling I do not want to 'flare' the arch

The three bodyshops that I have spoken too today all said there was a risk of the paint cracking along the bottom edge, just to clarify are you saying that I do not need to touch any of the metal arch lip, not even the internal edge that returns up at 30degrees? Is it just the plastic arch liner that is the problem?

If I am understanding you correctly then they must just br trying to panic me or take some extra hard earned from me!

[adood84]

Nick this is the best time to have a pic and show us the plastic thing your talking about :)

[peppernick]

Yes just the plastic bits are removed. Some bodyshop press the inner edge down against the inside of the arch till it's flushed. Even then there's no risk of the the paint cracking. This has been tried and tested on plenty of E46s over the years and I have first hand experience with my 330. No problem with paint cracking.

Just make sure your bodyshop knows what they are doing, as this kind of work is only as good as the people doing it.

A lot on here has used Rtec (http://www.r-tecautodesign.com/main.html) and the quality of their work is to 100% satisfaction.

http://www.r-tecautodesign.com/images/arch5.jpg

http://www.r-tecautodesign.com/images/arch4.jpg

http://www.r-tecautodesign.com/images/arch3.jpg

http://www.r-tecautodesign.com/images/arch6.jpg

[MistaSmiff]

Peppernick, just what i'm looking for!, I need to do mine and have decided to go to R-Tec instead, those pics show everything, nice one!

[Doc Matt]

Smiffy I'm going to R Tech in a few Saturdays time to get my exhaust done, why don't you book your car in and come with me? Let me know and i'll get the date out my diary.

[Raj]

Smiffy I'm going to R Tech in a few Saturdays time to get my exhaust done, why don't you book your car in and come with me? Let me know and i'll get the date out my diary.

What ya gettin' done with your exhaust Matt?

[RDG 40]

nice pics looks very professional there.

[BMW330d]

Yes just the plastic bits are removed. Some bodyshop press the inner edge down against the inside of the arch till it's flushed. Even then there's no risk of the the paint cracking. This has been tried and tested on plenty of E46s over the years and I have first hand experience with my 330. No problem with paint cracking.

Just make sure your bodyshop knows what they are doing, as this kind of work is only as good as the people doing it.

A lot on here has used Rtec (http://www.r-tecautodesign.com/main.html) and the quality of their work is to 100% satisfaction.

http://www.r-tecautodesign.com/images/arch5.jpg

http://www.r-tecautodesign.com/images/arch4.jpg

http://www.r-tecautodesign.com/images/arch3.jpg

http://www.r-tecautodesign.com/images/arch6.jpg


Nick

Do you think I will get away with just the plastic mod when I fit my BBS ch's even though the rear will be a 9.5j x 19" et 40 rim, I am thinking of using a 255/30/19 tyre to help my cause.

[peppernick]

Should get away with it. Don't use 255. Stick to 265. You'll clear with an ET40.

[Doc Matt]

What ya gettin' done with your exhaust Matt?


Now you know what its like to be not told secrets ;)

[Nickleback]

Now you know what its like to be not told secrets ;)

Nice one Doc :D

[uberbmw]

Had mine done by R-tech did an awesome job! even thought now im going coilovers might need that lip cut off!

[MistaSmiff]

Smiffy I'm going to R Tech in a few Saturdays time to get my exhaust done, why don't you book your car in and come with me? Let me know and i'll get the date out my diary.Doc, Don't think I can wait that long, I know when I drop my car it's going to rub so want to get this done before I drop my car. I need to get to R-Tec early next week.

[BMW330d]

Nick

Are you saying the 265 tyre will be OK even on a saloon?

[peppernick]

Nick

Are you saying the 265 tyre will be OK even on a saloon?
As far as I know from other forums. But like all things, you can never be 100% until the wheels and the tyre you choose are on the car. But I would say 98% certain, if you stick to ET40 and Eibach Pro-Kit.

Try avoiding tyres like Yokohama AVS Sport and Pirelli P-6000/7000/Zero, they are very heavy shouldered.

[Raj]

Now you know what its like to be not told secrets ;)

Unfair, as you knew about everything I have done :( . And your the only one who knows about possible future plans ;)