I have a chance to pick up a set for $1,000 US. Does anyone have these on your car? I know about the hubcentric ring, but what tire sizes are you using? 235/40/18 with 265/35/18 rears or 245/40/18 and 275/35/18? Finally, does anyone have a good pic? I know about Levinson's touring. Responses will be greatly appreciated!
The E34 M5 on 18" wheels uses 245/40 zr 18 tyres all round, I believe 265/35 18 can be fitted but this set up will only make the car understeer more, the handling is more balanced on 245 all round.
235/40/18 is almost identical to the 235/45/17 original front fitment.
255/35/18 is almost identical to the 245/40/17 that I run up front with no problems.
245/40/18 is a centimeter taller than original, so I`d find a 35 profile.
Rear.
265/35/18 is only a little bigger than 255/40/17 stock wheels, and identical (actually 1mm shorter) than the 265/40/17 I run at the rear.
275/35/18 is 3mm taller than my 265/40/17 so should be ok.
The above information is only concerned with diameter comparisons, not actually fitting them and not hitting any metal.
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Important -
IIRC Rob Levinson uses spacers front and back, as not only are the E39 wheels different hub sizes, hence the hubcentric ring, but also different offsets.
I think he`s on 10mm units, which you will definately need to clear the struts at the rear, and most probably at the front too.
He`s a nice guy, so an email to him will get the 10% correct answer in one hit. Remember to post it back here for future reference.
I don`t know whether he has them, but someone did mention replacement bump-stops fro the front steering controls, as really big wheels will rub at full lock.
Let us know how you get on.
$1000 is very cheap if all four match shades of silver-grey and they haven`t been kerbed to *****.
Make sure they`re real, see the M5 they came from!!
Ivan.
__________________
"Never enter Karussell when on the brakes! I have gone round there on the roof, I know what I'm talking about." ~ Sabine Schmitz
Last edited by IvanDias; 29th August 2003 at 18:58.
The offsets are 20 and 22.5 so I shouldn't need spacers, right? The rims are 8x18 and 9.5x18. So the question is: with the wider tires, will I have clearance/rubbing issues?
The wheels you are looking at are exactly the same fitment as the E39 m-parallels that i have on my car, i have 245's at the front and 265's at the rear with no rubbing at all.
Originally posted by Brad Simpson The offsets are 20 and 22.5 so I shouldn't need spacers, right? The rims are 8x18 and 9.5x18. So the question is: with the wider tires, will I have clearance/rubbing issues?
From Robs previous post;
"These non-spec offsets also limit tire size. Not so much of a factor in the front, although a 13 front may cause rubbing with 255s or larger with the wheel turned to one extreme or the other. In the rear, let's face one simple fact: E34 M5s do not have enough tire (tire sizes are always a factory-made compromise, balancing performance, mpg, cost, and noise - performance usually suffers). Using the BMW E34 M5 17x9 or E39 M5 18x9.5 rears (both et22 offset) allows the use of 275-section tire, usually without spacers (due to eccentricity of the subframe mounting, some cars may require 5mm spacers to avoid slight contact with the inner fender liner). When using the E38's rear wheel (et25), you will most likely need a spacer no matter what. Under ideal circumstances, the spacer would be avoided - I can feel the difference in the rear with vs. without the spacer.
There is also the issue of wheel bearing wear. BMW wheel bearings are sloppy under the best of circumstances (already responsible for degraded brake feel, suspension sloppiness/shudder, and play that causes other components to wear faster). Chaning the load point is not doing these bearings any favors."
So, some E39 wheels are 13mm front offset.
If the E39 M5 wheels are 22mm offset at the rear, then as above, you might need 5mm spacers.
What are the fronts, `cause I thought they were 13mm, and need spacers.
Ivan.
__________________
"Never enter Karussell when on the brakes! I have gone round there on the roof, I know what I'm talking about." ~ Sabine Schmitz
E39 M5 wheels
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