How to change to newer style wheels?

[EURO M3 CSL]

Hey guys, im sorry if this has been discussed before. I want to upgrade my wheels to something wider as my stock wheels (195 series) is not really giving me much grip after installing stiffer spings, sways bars, and shocks. I know the center part of the hub is different then the newer cars. I forgot the dimmensions but i heard its a little thicker (or bigger diameter) on the newer ones. Anyone know where to get these spacers? I plan onto upgrading to wider stock bmw factory wheels.

Also anyone know where to get extended studs? Might need to get slightly longer ones as well.

Thanks guys!

[T.Hanson]

Visit Tire Rack or Google wheel fitment sites for explanations of back spacing. Basically, looking at the brake hub from the rear, the inside edge of the wheel bolts to the hub face.

The spokes position the wheel, where over that hub / inside surface the tire will be rotating. Pretty easy to grasp the concept if you've got a wheel and tire. Mount the wheel, no hitting on either the inside or outside fender, cool.

Don't forget the suspension is engineered for the stock wheels and tires. Radical fender flares to get fat rubber,...etc., will change lots of moment arms.

[EURO M3 CSL]

thanks for the info!

i know ill probably need hubcentric rings, just curious to know if the e39er wheels are 74mm? Do you guys know if the stock hubcentric is at 72.5mm?

[Pierre]

You can find lots of wheels off E28s, E34s, E23 and even E36s to fit the E12. The E39 hub is bigger. You can get the hubcentric rings available at BMP and other outfits but it's a hit and miss. I know people who have used E39 wheels on E28 and E23s, some are very happy, some can not get rid of the vibration and had to replace their wheels.
If you must get the E39 wheels, make sure you get the mental hub centers, not the plastic ones. And don't use spacers.
If you have wheel studs, you must have an early car. The later E12s came with lug bolts. You can upgrade with the later style struts and you will also end up with vented disks. You can then use different length bolts with different wheels. It beats replacing the studs.
I have a pair of late struts you can have cheap if you're local to So Cal.

[Pete K]

There's a list of what'll fit in the FAQs http://www.firstfives.org/offsets.html

I've had some bad experiences with hubcentric rings (that someone else fitted to a car I bought). It's not worth the risk or expense of fixing the problems. There are lots of great wheels out there for the e34 that look stock (or are stock) with a much more modern look.

Cheers

[Mike W.]

E12s and E28s are very, very similiar in what fits. Not perfect and exact, but very close. The link is for E28s, but with few exceptions it will work.

http://www.scrappycrow.com/e28wheelstir ... tires.html

[tacomagabe]

Or.....http://www.ichibausa.com/icbmwwhadco5.html
There are a few different companies offering something similar. Anyone changed their bolt pattern before? Thoughts?
Also apart from changing some suspension dynamics, Any other cons for running quality spacers?

[Pierre]

BMW wheels are hubcentric. The center hole of the wheel fits EXACTLY on the hub of the car and centers the wheel.
Spacers push the wheel out. The hub have a slight taper, and if the wheel is not sitting flush, the hub is no longer centering the wheel.
Some people use spacers with no issues, even on track cars. Others have all sorts of problems. Spacer believers claim that those who have spacer problems are blaming the spacers when in fact, there are other issues causing the shake, vibration, wobble or other negative symptom.
I personally don't run spacers. I try to avoid them. There are plenty of wheels out there that work without them.

[tacomagabe]

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthr ... ht=spacers

Spacers may still be an option with these guys. Not trying to say anyone in this thread is wrong or right because I really don't know as much as a lot of people here. I'm going to be asking this same question later in my build so just trying to gather people's thoughts.

[GripGreg]

I just left that ridiculas r3v website!!! How can some of that smut be posted??!No class! I guess I'm zeroing in on that idiot from SoFlo? OK, I'm through.
Speaking of the spacers; all of my small shadetree career, I've heard that spacers are very n/g for the suspension. The factory, whichever factory, knows what the suspension can handle. But, if you don't mind re-doing your front suspension again & again, whenever that'll be, get your spacers. They'll do the job til your suspension gives out. Don't say you didn't know. Greg

[Jeff Dennis]

Greg, I sometimes feel the same about r3v but every now and then I get a good laugh...

[EURO M3 CSL]

curious, where to get extended studs for a 75' e12? Stock ones (steel wheels) arnt long enough. anyone know where to get extended studs? thanks