Rim and tire size help?

Hello everyone im new to bmw's and im looking looking for some new wheels to replace the original 14in bottlecaps for my 87 325i. I was wondering what were the tollerences i know the car has 4x100 bolt pattern but what does the offset need to be i have found some 17x7.5in rims with 42mm or 45mm offset will these work?

Originally Posted by Dave003

Hello everyone im new to bmw's and im looking looking for some new wheels to replace the original 14in bottlecaps for my 87 325i. I was wondering what were the tollerences i know the car has 4x100 bolt pattern but what does the offset need to be i have found some 17x7.5in rims with 42mm or 45mm offset will these work?

I don't think so, that's a real high offset.

17s are too big for an e30 anyways. Find a nice set of 16s they will fit better

Originally Posted by bimmeupscottiee

17s are too big for an e30 anyways. Find a nice set of 16s they will fit better

Not true. It depends if you're going for low-ness or not. 17"s fill the fender well perfectly. 16"s do fill it very nicely if you're going low. Anything bigger than a 17" is too much. I'm putting 17x8 style 19's on my car in the spring so, i'll have more insight about it then. Steve had 17" TSW imolas on his e30 when he first got it, rims were ghey but they fit nicely.

Yeah I guess ur right its all in what you like I guess. 17s just make the car sit up too high IMO.

thanks for the input guys i think im just gonna go with some 16's

those wheels are right on the lower boundry. I had 17x7.5 et42 and they fit 45mm (318i and 320i) struts but not 51mm (325i) struts.

doubt they will fit without spacers. i had 17x7 et40 that wouldnt even bolt on due to rubbing the strut tubes. Ethrty is talking about a non-abs car which you dont have. your car has the bigger struts so they will rub.


as for the 16" vs 17" debate. 16 wins all around. would i own a set of 17's ? sure, if they had a real deep dish so it gave the illusion that it was smaller then it really is.

+1 to most likely needing spacers..

The best way to understand which size spacer you need, is to simply measure from the top outside edge of your tire to the inner lip of you fender. This will give you the best idea on how much size you have to work with, and to decide on how much your wheels need spaced.

Once you know that let us know and I will be able to recommend which size will be the best fit for your application.

Here is a diagram that might help as well.


We have a complete line of spacers available specifically for your vehicle below...

Click HERE to order or for more information.

Please let us know if you have any questions! Feel free to shoot me a PM or email.

Best,
Joe

Originally Posted by fcsteve

Ethrty is talking about a non-abs car which you dont have. your car has the bigger struts so they will rub.

Are you saying that 318i and 320i with ABS have 51mm struts? learn something every day!

Originally Posted by Ethrty

Are you saying that 318i and 320i with ABS have 51mm struts? learn something every day!

dont know about euro land. but in the US only non-ABS cars have the 45mm strut housings. anything with ABS has 51mm struts.