Okay from what i understand BMW 5 series 18 inch rims use the 5x4 3/4 bolt pattern (120mm) and the back spacing is 13 on the fronts and 25 on the rears i belive i've heard that they fit DIRECTLY on a fourth gen but what would be required to make them fit properly on a thirdgen

has anybody done this and know for sure what i would need to do?

any guesses?

i really like the look of these and i can get them fairly inexpensivly


what do you think good idea or no

maybe a photoshop would be cool too

 

here's my crappy paint job (i really need to learn to use photoshop)

 

heres what i know:

the 5 and 7 series have almost the same backspacing that is needed for our 3rdgens.

the wheel is centered not by the lugnuts, but by the hole in the center.

the 120mm bolt pattern is 4.72. stock 3rdgen is 4.75

not all wheels fit. the center of our front wheels is angled... it gets bigger as it goes back.. on some wheels, the hole has to seat back so far that it hits it and they dont fit. others do fit, athought the center cap goes thru it.

some non confirmed info im getting:

they dont use lugnuts, they use bolts.

the nuts/bolts that hold ont he wheel seat flat, not angled because it centers on the center hole, NOT the wheel studs.

the holes are slightly oversize so that the center hole can center the wheel.





what needs to be done IMO to fit them (and i may do this)

you NEED a cyl in the center of the hub to center the wheel. having a machine shop turn a hub to the proper OD may do this. you may have to go undersize and press fit a proper size sleave though. and i donno if that should be done since you are taking metal away from whats supporting the weight of the car.

the back needs some kind of adapter... i only have a drum rear to look at, but i think a slip fit adapter could be made that slips over the nub in the center of the drum, you bolt the wheel on, and then take the adapter off, leaving the wheel bolted on in the center.



even though its close, i dont think these wheels are a bolt on affair..... but if you want to just bolt on a set and take her for a spin, let me know how it works out. my theory is that the wheel wont be centered on the hub and you'll get a vibration... but thats just theory... the only car ive seen on TGO with them has never been driven.

 

I can confirm all of those for you i've worked on several at work but i don't currently have access to my car to make measurements and test fit

 

if you have access to the rims, could ya tell me the exact size of the center hole?

looking online, ive found too many conflicting numbers, and i need one thats really accurate.

 

i'll get it for ya next time one comes in i usually get at least a couple a week (most seem to be the 3 series and i know those rims wont work they aren't the same at all)

 

i am doing the BMW rim now, it should be 5/7 series rim, the offset is closer to 3gen, my is 18's, 8.5J, 15mm offset.

go to the rim shop and you will know the different between 3gen rim and BMWs, the bolt pattern is 0.65mm different so you won't feel 100% right when you lock them up. you will need a custom hub to make the rim to set on the center, the center hole of BMW is bigger than 3gen, the 3gen is about 70.5mm, my BMW rim is about 80MM, so I need a 9.5mm hub (go check yours), I still waitting for the hub, I am not sure about the rear right now, but I will post the procedure after I finish it.

Without the custom center hub, there will be alot of play when you drive.

There are some Europe people done that and said it is OK.

Sorry about my English.

 

your english is fine

just take alot of pictures as you go along

 

I would feel like something is not right if I had my American muscle car rolling on german wheels.

 

thanks Joe that was much appreciated and don't worry your english is fine

i can get hub centric adapters at work free we always have extras or i could have a aluminum ring machined to the correct size

hey Joe can you post a pic of your rims maybe just sitting by the car if you can't put them on