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[Thunderguts]

Ever since I saw the Blue M2CS with gold wheels I've been obsessed with gold wheels for my Montego Blue 1er.

I've always wanted BBS wheels which are basically custom made for virtually every BMW in history EXCEPT FOR THE E82!!!

Lo and behold, BBS makes a gold finish on the RI-A wheels which will supposedly be offered in a 18X8.5" size with 34 mm offset. With 7.5 mm spacers, this would be perfect for a square setup on my 128.

I know I could fit 225 mm tires because I have them now on a 17X8" wheel with a 40 mm offset. I just don't know if I could wedge 235s under there.

Am I crazy or should I just get my OZ HLTs powder-coated in gold?

[Esteban]

You are not crazy to get the BBS wheels, if that's what you want. YOLO! Do it!

[$iriu$black]

Thunderguts Wait, can’t you fit 245/40s w your 17in wheels? I have the same 17x8 ET40 wheels (forged from BW) and plan to install 245/40 or just transfer over my 225/45s.

Sorry to thread jack mate! Those gold BBSs are marvelous, probably cost half the car to buy though!

[Thunderguts]

Originally Posted by $iriu$black

Thunderguts Wait, can’t you fit 245/40s w your 17in wheels? I have the same 17x8 ET40 wheels (forged from BW) and plan to install 245/40 or just transfer over my 225/45s.

Sorry to thread jack mate! Those gold BBSs are marvelous, probably cost half the car to buy though!

I haven't tried, but I don't see how I could fit 245s in the front. I really need to measure my gap precisely, but I know I had trouble getting a finger between the sidewall and the strut and I don't have giant Paul Bunyon hands. I'm almost sure 245s would rub, but it would depend on the profile of the tire and the struts you're using. I think I could pretty much forget about ever using Ohlins.

The good news is, you could probably do it with a 3 mm spacer. Personally I would want 8.5" wheels with a 245, or it might be a little pinched.

Originally Posted by $iriu$black

Those gold BBSs are marvelous, probably cost half the car to buy though!

Values have shot up on the 128. They would only be 1/3 the car's value right now. I don't care though. I've put close to $10k in it since I got it with no end in sight. At some point I'll need to get a special insurance rider to cover the added value.

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by Thunderguts

Ever since I saw the Blue M2CS with gold wheels I've been obsessed with gold wheels for my Montego Blue 1er.

I've always wanted BBS wheels which are basically custom made for virtually every BMW in history EXCEPT FOR THE E82!!!

Lo and behold, BBS makes a gold finish on the RI-A wheels which will supposedly be offered in a 18X8.5" size with 34 mm offset. With 7.5 mm spacers, this would be perfect for a square setup on my 128.

I know I could fit 225 mm tires because I have them now on a 17X8" wheel with a 40 mm offset. I just don't know if I could wedge 235s under there.

Am I crazy or should I just get my OZ HLTs powder-coated in gold?

This is going from memory so good chance I'm wrong, but, I think the 34mm offset is pushing the wheel outward by 6mm. Spacers push it a further 7.5 so you will rub.

There used to be a good tire wheel offset calculator on the E90 page but it's gone. I'm sure you can find one online to prove me right or wrong.


BTW if you go for the BBS, I might be interested in your current wheels.

[Thunderguts]

Originally Posted by gjm120

This is going from memory so good chance I'm wrong, but, I think the 34mm offset is pushing the wheel outward by 6mm. Spacers push it a further 7.5 so you will rub.

There used to be a good tire wheel offset calculator on the E90 page but it's gone. I'm sure you can find one online to prove me right or wrong.


BTW if you go for the BBS, I might be interested in your current wheels.

Ahh, you're totally right. I never did fully understand offset, but now it's a little clearer. I'm probably screwed then because the only 8.5" size in a 5x120 bolt pattern is +34 and I think that would be very close to the fender, even with a 225 mm tire, but then again it might be perfect with no spacers. I better start measuring!

If I can't get the BBS, I think I'm going to get these powder-coated in satin gold and try to mount square 245 mm tires with some thin spacers.

[gjm120]

Originally Posted by Thunderguts

Ahh, you're totally right. I never did fully understand offset, but now it's a little clearer. I'm probably screwed then because the only 8.5" size in a 5x120 bolt pattern is +34 and I think that would be very close to the fender, even with a 225 mm tire, but then again it might be perfect with no spacers. I better start measuring!

If I can't get the BBS, I think I'm going to get these powder-coated in satin gold and try to mount square 245 mm tires with some thin spacers.

Yea there's a reason everyone gripes about finding wheels for these cars.

[Thunderguts]

I've heard of extreme owners who machine a few mm off the inside of the wheel hub in order to make them fit, but there's no way I'd do that to an $800 wheel.

[$iriu$black]

Originally Posted by Thunderguts

Sorry to thread jack mate! Those gold BBSs are marvelous, probably cost half the car to buy though!

I haven't tried, but I don't see how I could fit 245s in the front. I really need to measure my gap precisely, but I know I had trouble getting a finger between the sidewall and the strut and I don't have giant Paul Bunyon hands. I'm almost sure 245s would rub, but it would depend on the profile of the tire and the struts you're using. I think I could pretty much forget about ever using Ohlins.

The good news is, you could probably do it with a 3 mm spacer. Personally I would want 8.5" wheels with a 245, or it might be a little pinched.



Values have shot up on the 128. They would only be 1/3 the car's value right now. I don't care though. I've put close to $10k in it since I got it with no end in sight. At some point I'll need to get a special insurance rider to cover the added value.

Is that true? Calling in Suprgnat as we are both planning to upgrade to 245/40/17 tires when our current 225/45 tires wear out. The only differentiating factor w all of us is suspension. I run Öhlins R&Ts w the higher Swift spring rates upfront. But as an aside, you should not even think twice about upgrading to them Thunderguts , worth it for sure!

Did we just get upgraded to E30 status now w our 128s? Seems like a lot are looking into getting into them. I’m w you, my mods are probably worth the value of the car. I actually listed mine here a while back but still can’t seem to let it go.

[Thunderguts]

Originally Posted by $iriu$black

Is that true? Calling in Suprgnat as we are both planning to upgrade to 245/40/17 tires when our current 225/45 tires wear out. The only differentiating factor w all of us is suspension. I run Öhlins R&Ts w the higher Swift spring rates upfront. But as an aside, you should not even think twice about upgrading to them Thunderguts , worth it for sure!

Did we just get upgraded to E30 status now w our 128s? Seems like a lot are looking into getting into them. I’m w you, my mods are probably worth the value of the car. I actually listed mine here a while back but still can’t seem to let it go.

Oh, we are absolutely the new E30. I looked down on the E30 M3 as slow and grossly overpriced when it was current. How stupid I was in my younger years! It's not always about speed. Now that I have my 1er, I can appreciate the drive for what it is.

It's almost time for me to get new tires anyway so I'm planning to try 245s. Other people have fit them so worst case scenario, I have to run 3 mm spacers to clear the strut. I've got -1.1° camber in the front and the 245s are actually slightly smaller diameter so I should be able to fit them with a little work. I would prefer to mount them on 8.5" wheels, but 8" may be sufficient. I'm going to talk to a few shops about powder coating my existing wheels.

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by Thunderguts

...I don't see how I could fit 245s in the front...I'm almost sure 245s would rub, but it would depend on the profile of the tire and the struts you're using.

Originally Posted by $iriu$black

Is that true? Calling in Suprgnat

Currently Koni/Swift, 17x8.5 ET40, MPSS 225/45-17, ~323mm from wheel center to fender lip, ~2.75° camber. Clearance is good to the fender. Clearance is good to the strut and perch.

YMMV

Awkward perspective photo:

[Thunderguts]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

Currently Koni/Swift, 17x8.5 ET40, MPSS 225/45-17, ~323mm from wheel center to fender lip, ~2.75° camber. Clearance is good to the fender. Clearance is good to the strut and perch.

YMMV

Awkward perspective photo:

Wow! That's a TON of clearance. I'll need to jack up my car this weekend and give mine a more thorough inspection. I'm only on 17X8, but you have a lot more camber. Maybe, just maybe a 245 is possible. Any idea what your ride height is? I've got T1 BMWP springs which are a lot softer than Swifts. I think it's supposed to sit 20 mm below the M-Sport suspension.

[$iriu$black]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

Currently Koni/Swift, 17x8.5 ET40, MPSS 225/45-17, ~323mm from wheel center to fender lip, ~2.75° camber. Clearance is good to the fender. Clearance is good to the strut and perch.

YMMV

Awkward perspective photo:

Thanks for chiming in Suprgnat! Weird perspective indeed, from that pic, it looks as if the 225/45 PSS is too “narrow” for the 8in BW wheel.

Now if only anyone can show pics of anyone who is running Öhlins coilovers w a 17x8 wheel with 245s, that would help a lot our OP.

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by $iriu$black

Thanks for chiming in Suprgnat! Weird perspective indeed, from that pic, it looks as if the 225/45 PSS is too “narrow” for the 8in BW wheel.

8.5 inch. It's the maximum approved width for that size Michelin tire per Michelin. Also, the BW wheels have beefy inside lips (and yet weigh under 17 pounds).

[$iriu$black]

Originally Posted by Suprgnat

8.5 inch. It's the maximum approved width for that size Michelin tire per Michelin. Also, the BW wheels have beefy inside lips (and yet weigh under 17 pounds).

Oh yes correct, 8.5in. I should know since I have the same wheels (but haven’t used them yet). I stand corrected.

[iminhell1]

But 8.5" is not the maximum rim width you can run in the front (with no body work).
I'm on a 9" front with no work. Fits tight but no rubbing.

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1606248

[PcarDefector]

Originally Posted by Thunderguts

Ever since I saw the Blue M2CS with gold wheels I've been obsessed with gold wheels for my Montego Blue 1er.

I've always wanted BBS wheels which are basically custom made for virtually every BMW in history EXCEPT FOR THE E82!!!

Lo and behold, BBS makes a gold finish on the RI-A wheels which will supposedly be offered in a 18X8.5" size with 34 mm offset. With 7.5 mm spacers, this would be perfect for a square setup on my 128.

I know I could fit 225 mm tires because I have them now on a 17X8" wheel with a 40 mm offset. I just don't know if I could wedge 235s under there.

Am I crazy or should I just get my OZ HLTs powder-coated in gold?

34mm offset is going to be a tough fit as the wheel itself will extend out another 28mm from stock and even more when you factor in the width of the tire. see this wheel offset calculator and enter 7.5 / 49 for stock and 34 / 34 for new. https://www.1010tires.com/Tools/Whee...et-Calculator#

Here's general guideline as to what works for our E82 fender wells. You will notice that our cars need work best with more offset in the 40-50mm range. Even with 40mm and 8.5" wheels, we will likely need some negative camber (>-1.25*) in the front.
https://www.bimmerworld.com/About-Us/Wheel-Info-Tech/

Apex wheels has a good fitment guide by wheel width and offset.
https://support.apexraceparts.com/hc...-Fitment-Guide

And keep in mind that some tires are wider than others despite having the same sectional width. For example, Toyo RA1 were probably 10mm width than Hoosiers.

[PcarDefector]

Originally Posted by iminhell1

But 8.5" is not the maximum rim width you can run in the front (with no body work).
I'm on a 9" front with no work. Fits tight but no rubbing.

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1606248

You are using a 45mm offset wheel with a 10mm spacer, rolled fender and likely more negative camber.

The OP will have more problems with a 245 tire as the BBS uses 34mm offset. While he will not need a spacer as he has 7mm more inner clearance, he will have 5mm less outer clearance than you. (Note clearance calculated on rim width).

[PcarDefector]

Originally Posted by $iriu$black

Thunderguts Wait, can’t you fit 245/40s w your 17in wheels? I have the same 17x8 ET40 wheels (forged from BW) and plan to install 245/40 or just transfer over my 225/45s.

Sorry to thread jack mate! Those gold BBSs are marvelous, probably cost half the car to buy though!

245 might be a tough fit depending on your tire selection, drop, camber fender setup. 235 will fit.

Have a look at my reply to the OP for some fitment links.
https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show...6&postcount=17

[iminhell1]

Originally Posted by PcarDefector

You are using a 45mm offset wheel with a 10mm spacer, rolled fender and likely more negative camber.

The OP will have more problems with a 245 tire as the BBS uses 34mm offset. While he will not need a spacer as he has 7mm more inner clearance, he will have 5mm less outer clearance than you. (Note clearance calculated on rim width).

I am not rolled.
I'm running a tire that on the ground is wider, contact patch.
I'm not running any more camber that stock parts can facilitate, stock arms and pulled strut mount pins,,, so -1.5 'ish camber.

[Thunderguts]

Well shit on me! I just realized my wheels are 17x8 with a 45 mm offset. No wonder Suprgnat's gap looked the same as mine with a narrower wheel. Well, at least that means I can add some narrow spacers to get more strut clearance if I need it.

Here's a chart I made with some common tire choices available for 17X8 or 17x8.5" wheels. I highlighted my current size in yellow with gap pictures below. Section widths are estimates based on my 8" wheel. 8.5" wheels should add another .2". My side tire profile shot is a little misleading since it just came off the jack. It sits a little lower than that.

PS4S are some of the narrowest summer tires available. You're really widening the section width with 245s, but not gaining much in tread width. Contrast that with the Direzza Z3 which must have a practically square profile because it would have the same strut clearance as my 225s with a massive 1.2" wider tread. That makes me fear they would rub on the fender.

[Thunderguts]

Originally Posted by iminhell1

I'm not running any more camber that stock parts can facilitate, stock arms and pulled strut mount pins,,, so -1.5 'ish camber.

You got that much? I have M3 arms and pulled pins and the most I could get was -1.2�°.