Replica rims

[pcrispy]

I need to buy new tires and I have been toying with the idea of buying new rims at the same time. It doesn't seem like there are very many pics out there of X3's with different rims other than X3 rims. I was just looking around and considering something like the ZHP or M3 rims like below or maybe even a CSL style (only BMW styles):

http://www.vortextuning.com/Info/html/VT208.html

http://www.vortextuning.com/Info/html/VT902.html

http://www.powerwheelspro.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=206

Some of the vendors that I have sent emails to always question whether my 2005 X3 3.0i Sport actually have 72.5 center bores because they say that they thought it should have the 74.1 bores. According to previous posts as well as everywhere on the web it says that all X3's and the older style X5's (E53) both have the 72.5 and the newer X5's have the larger bore. So, can anyone that has changed to anything other than another X3 rim confirm this?

Has anyone by chance fitted the rims above onto their X3?

The offsets do not seem to be an issue at all while staying with a 18" rim.

Any info or pics that you can supply would be great.

[onodon]

These are nice rims. Are the prices shown for each rim or per set. I really want the 19" staggered 191M rims that are an option on vehicles with the sport package. They are quite pricey however. Have you checked out BMW Wheels.com? They have a few nice styles in both 18" and 19".

[pcrispy]

Those prices are all prices for sets of 4. Obviously, they are replicas which is what I want. Factory originals would be great but for the price, I'll take the replicas. The factory rims scratch and curb rash just as easy as reps and I could buy 3-4 sets of these for every set of factory originals.

[03Bimmer325ci]

You want to put M3 rims on an SUV? mmm dont think they will fit sorry

[pcrispy]

You want to put M3 rims on an SUV? mmm dont think they will fit sorry

Why would they not fit? Also, FWIW, both of these manufacturers have since emailed back stating that they indeed do fit fine.

The X3 and M3 or almost all BMW's except the newer X5 have the same center bore, bolt pattern and spacing. It is the same rim height and width. The only difference is the offset of 35 compared to 46, which will push the rim toward the outside of the vehicle 11mm (well less than half an inch).

Have you not seen pics of X3's with 22" rims on them? That would be a tight fit, and not my cup of tea, but they still fit.

What information can you give us that will show that an M3 wheel would not fit on an X3?

[surgtech72@yaho]

Check out Velocity motorings csl type rims. I think they look great, but haven't seen 'em on an X3 yet. They are around $700 a set on jlevi or european auto source.

[Supercourse]

The X3 and M3 or almost all BMW's except the newer X5 have the same center bore, bolt pattern and spacing. It is the same rim height and width. The only difference is the offset of 35 compared to 46, which will push the rim toward the outside of the vehicle 11mm (well less than half an inch).

The wheel bolts are the only other difference (17mm. vs. 19mm. hex head). Not sure if it is better to see how well 19mm. bolts seat on a wheel designed for 17mm., or buy a set of the 17mm. ones to use on an X3 instead of the O.E. 19mm. ones.

On the offset difference, that would increase the track of the X3 by just under an inch, which shouldn't have a noticeable effect on handling. Of course, if your new tires were a touch wider, that could put you back to stock track - but thinking about offset hurts my brain.

[pcrispy]

I have talked to 3 different manufacturers and all of them said that the X3 wheel bolts 14mm (19mm hex head) will work just fine in a rim specified for a car with 12mm (17mm hex head). So, I guess that the wheels bolts are also a non issue at this point too.

[X3-terrestrial]

You want to put M3 rims on an SUV? mmm dont think they will fit sorry

Mmmm X3's don't exactly fall in a SUV category....Do you even have one?

OP: If they fit go for it! I think they'll look awesome! :thumbup:

[pcrispy]

Mmmm X3's don't exactly fall in a SUV category....Do you even have one?


Great point! That's why they are called an SAV! We also have a new Acura MDX which feels like a beast compared to the X3. I don't like how low cars are to the ground but the X3 is perfect.

Too bad that Velocity Motoring doesn't make these in 18".

http://www.velocitymotoring.com/links/wheels_v710.htm

I am still tempted to get them in 19". They look really nice.