Ashe too
09-09-2004, 05:40 PM
I'm considering the Fikse FM5 wheel (click here (http://www.fikse.com/fm5.html) or here (http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?threadid=103770)) in 17x8.5 with 255/40/17s (roughly same diameter as stock) on all four corners of my 2004 330i (zhp). My objectives are to dial out understeer (hence the even tire size front & rear), improve handling and responsiveness (hence lighter weight wheels), yet preserve some ride quality (hence 17s instead of 18s), and have a relatively unique look (Fikses are rare). My questions deal with fitment issues.
The FM5 is the wheel that the Dinan 17" wheel is based on and it comes in offsets of 38, 44 (the Profil 5) and 49. Dinan says we can run 255/40/17s on all 4 corners with their wheel if we use a 3/8" (~ 10mm) spacer in front. The Dinan 17" wheel has an offset of 49. So, with the spacer in front, the Dinan wheel would have a net offset of 39.5.
Also, Bimmerfest member “Andy” has posted that he runs 265s (for autocross) and 255s (for street) in front on factory 8” rims with offset of 47 with no rubbing. Prior to using this configuration, he tested his stock 8.5” rear wheels with 255 tires and offset of 50 and found minor rubbing on the shock towers under hard cornering. I did the same test last weekend and went to an empty parking lot to do a little “autocross” testing to load up the suspension to see if the tires rubbed. I determined that under very hard cornering, both front tires would rub the shock towers - but just barely.
So, it seems like if you can run 255 or 265s on the front on an 8" wheel with an offset of 47 (wheels/tires set way in) and if you can almost run an 255s on an 8.5" wheel with an offset of 50 (wheels/tires set way in), and if you can run 255s on Dinan's 8.5" wheel with an offset of 49 and a 9.5mm spacer that nets out to an offset of 39.5 (wheels/tires set way out), then the acceptable range of offsets for a 255 tire on an 8.5" wheel would be between 39.5 and 50, right? If that's right, then it would seem that an 8/5" wheel with an offset of 44 would be a good compromise (help me with my logic here), right?
So...
1. has anyone run an 8.5” Fikse or Dinan wheel with 255s or know of anyone who has?
2. has anyone run 255s in front on any 8.5” wheel and what offset did you use?
3. what are your thoughts about the viability 255s on the 8.5 X 17 Fikse's with an offset of 44? Anyone with actual experience with this offset/tire size on any wheel?
4. how would you feel about running a 255/40/17 (~25” diameter) in the rear and a 245/40/17 (~24.7” diameter) in front (this is the "abundance of caution" mode)?
5. Since you've really got to drive it to know if the fitment works (which means I can't return the tires if they don't fit)...would the most prudent course be to order two wheels with an offset of 49 and 255 tires and also get some 5mm and 10 mm spacers. If the combination works w/o spacers, then great. If it needs spacers, then I’ve got two sizes on hand - depending on the problem, I'd probably start out with the 5mm spacers. If one of the spacer sizes works, then great. If none of the combinations work up front, then, when I order the next two wheels, I'll order them with 245 series tires for the front and I'll put the 255s on the back. So, if I went with the 245s up front, would you think that it would be a problem that my rear tires would be .2 - .3" larger than the fronts?
Any experience, insight or advice would be welcome.
The FM5 is the wheel that the Dinan 17" wheel is based on and it comes in offsets of 38, 44 (the Profil 5) and 49. Dinan says we can run 255/40/17s on all 4 corners with their wheel if we use a 3/8" (~ 10mm) spacer in front. The Dinan 17" wheel has an offset of 49. So, with the spacer in front, the Dinan wheel would have a net offset of 39.5.
Also, Bimmerfest member “Andy” has posted that he runs 265s (for autocross) and 255s (for street) in front on factory 8” rims with offset of 47 with no rubbing. Prior to using this configuration, he tested his stock 8.5” rear wheels with 255 tires and offset of 50 and found minor rubbing on the shock towers under hard cornering. I did the same test last weekend and went to an empty parking lot to do a little “autocross” testing to load up the suspension to see if the tires rubbed. I determined that under very hard cornering, both front tires would rub the shock towers - but just barely.
So, it seems like if you can run 255 or 265s on the front on an 8" wheel with an offset of 47 (wheels/tires set way in) and if you can almost run an 255s on an 8.5" wheel with an offset of 50 (wheels/tires set way in), and if you can run 255s on Dinan's 8.5" wheel with an offset of 49 and a 9.5mm spacer that nets out to an offset of 39.5 (wheels/tires set way out), then the acceptable range of offsets for a 255 tire on an 8.5" wheel would be between 39.5 and 50, right? If that's right, then it would seem that an 8/5" wheel with an offset of 44 would be a good compromise (help me with my logic here), right?
So...
1. has anyone run an 8.5” Fikse or Dinan wheel with 255s or know of anyone who has?
2. has anyone run 255s in front on any 8.5” wheel and what offset did you use?
3. what are your thoughts about the viability 255s on the 8.5 X 17 Fikse's with an offset of 44? Anyone with actual experience with this offset/tire size on any wheel?
4. how would you feel about running a 255/40/17 (~25” diameter) in the rear and a 245/40/17 (~24.7” diameter) in front (this is the "abundance of caution" mode)?
5. Since you've really got to drive it to know if the fitment works (which means I can't return the tires if they don't fit)...would the most prudent course be to order two wheels with an offset of 49 and 255 tires and also get some 5mm and 10 mm spacers. If the combination works w/o spacers, then great. If it needs spacers, then I’ve got two sizes on hand - depending on the problem, I'd probably start out with the 5mm spacers. If one of the spacer sizes works, then great. If none of the combinations work up front, then, when I order the next two wheels, I'll order them with 245 series tires for the front and I'll put the 255s on the back. So, if I went with the 245s up front, would you think that it would be a problem that my rear tires would be .2 - .3" larger than the fronts?
Any experience, insight or advice would be welcome.
