What is Wheel Offset?

[carydwars]

First off what is wheel offset? Secondly, I know my car (e36) has a +40 offset, but I found some wheels that I want that have an offset of +20. Would I use wheel spacers to minimize this offset or what? Please help!

[MrBoss]

google:what is wheel offset

[C Sean Watts]

First off what is wheel offset?
It's the longitudinal center line of rotation relative to the axial, or hub, outermost plane of revolution contact.


Secondly, I know my car (e36) has a +40 offset, but I found some wheels that I want that have an offset of +20. Would I use wheel spacers to minimize this offset or what? Please help!

Spacers will not change the offset of the wheel, itself, however they will increase the distance of the longitudinal line from the axle center (IE: wider track)

[carydwars]

So could I put the lower offset wheels on my car without a problem or what?

[MrBoss]

no, lower offset wheels will mean the wheel will stick out farther. if you roll/pull your fenders you can run lower offset or alltogether wider wheels. You should reallly do some research. There is alot of stuff on the web about this topic.

[E36 Phantom]

Cary, this is by far the best explanation of everything to do with wheels and tires: http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible_pg2.html
Read through that and you should have a good idea of how everything works, and they've got some good diagrams on there.

And no, you can't easily run a +20 without some fender work. I would be surprised if just rolling them would do it, you'll probably have to pull them or cut and fill them. It can be done, but not easily.