next upgrade

[Chip]

I'm thinking about 17" wheels for my next purchase. For those of you that have the RONDELL #58 are you satisfied with them? What size would work best 17x8, 17x8.5, 17x10? Is the offset correct or will I need spacers?

[Julius]

I might be up for flames,I'd personally go 18's, i don't understand why people don't go 18's aswell. It fits the car so much more to shape. I've got 18's and they look perfect aligned with the body and guards and not too big.

[scott540]

Chip, I've got 17x8.5 front and 17x10 rear. I got them from wheel exchange and they needed nothing.
Here's a link that might work to some pics

http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/scott540@sbcglobal.net/album?.dir=/bmw&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/scott540@sbcglobal.net/my_photos

[jplacson]

I'm running 18s...will post pics once my car comes out of the shop :)

[Bruno]

18" rims are heavier, more frigile and the tires are more expensive.

Looks better... but not worth the price increase in my case.

[jplacson]

Hey Bruno! :) Question regarding wheels, offset and spacers.... the E34 I bought came with 18" rims, and (to the best of my research and tracking) 15mm offset. What would be the best spacer to use for this? I read your site, and was a bit confused... do I use a 5mm spacer? Or a 10mm hubcentric? What do I tell the guys at the wheel shop? I'm having doubts that the original owner was out for performance, so I just wanna have it checked and in case it isn't set right...I'd like to know what to have done. Thanks again for all the help... you're site has been sooooooooooooo helpful!!!! :)

[DrewZ]

The 15mm offset will already put the tires near your fenders. Spacers will only push them further out, and will almost definitely cause rubbing. Find out for certain what width and offset the wheels are, and what size tires are mounted before doing anything about spacers.

Drew Zacharda
6-speed Touring with 17x8.5 15mm offset wheels and 245/45/17 tires
http://members.aol.com/apzjd/newavatar.jpg (http://www.bmwe34.net/ASP/DURegistry/RegDetail.asp?id=100)



Hey Bruno! :) Question regarding wheels, offset and spacers.... the E34 I bought came with 18" rims, and (to the best of my research and tracking) 15mm offset. What would be the best spacer to use for this? I read your site, and was a bit confused... do I use a 5mm spacer? Or a 10mm hubcentric? What do I tell the guys at the wheel shop? I'm having doubts that the original owner was out for performance, so I just wanna have it checked and in case it isn't set right...I'd like to know what to have done. Thanks again for all the help... you're site has been sooooooooooooo helpful!!!! :)

[jplacson]

Ok, thanks! Hmmm... I see you have 15mm offset wheels too! :P How does this affect handling? So far, I've been using 225/45 R18 tires on them. They do rub at full lock, so I just back off about half a turn... I lose turning radius. I figured something was wrong with the previous owner's setup... I just want to know if there's anything I can do about it without changing wheels (I can't exactly afford a new set)

Thanks again! :)

**PS... my wheels are BMW 745 Replica wheels 18" ... the wheels of this type that I've found online all have 20mm offset, but the shop that sold a set just like mine (I don't know where the previous owner bought the set that's on my car) say they are 15mm... Is there anyway for me to check the offset myself?

[Patrick]

I also have a 1992 535i 5 speed with the Sachs Kit and an EAT chip. I considered the Rondell 58 but found a good deal on a set of t-stars (17x8) with Yoko AVS db's. I was concerned about ride quality issues getting worse with the 17"s over the 15"s, as it seemed pretty harsh already. Everything is actually better with the 17"s re: ride, response, tracking, noise, etc.
Don't know about staggering but I think you'll be pleased with 17"s coupled with your setup.
Just fyi. Hth.

[BimmerKid]

Chip, I've got 17x8.5 front and 17x10 rear. I got them from wheel exchange and they needed nothing.
Here's a link that might work to some pics

http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/scott540@sbcglobal.net/album?.dir=/bmw&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/scott540@sbcglobal.net/my_photos

[Phil Sanderson]

Scott, the pics of your 540 show no front air scoops below the bumper, is this standard?

[DrewZ]

The offset won't noticeably affect handling.

225/45 is a strange tire size for 18s on an E34. Usually, they'd be 235/40/18 (and 255/35 or 265/35 in the rear if staggered). What are the tires rubbing against -- the sway bar, the strut tower or the fender? What width are the wheels?

Drew Zacharda
6-speed Touring
http://members.aol.com/apzjd/newavatar.jpg (http://www.bmwe34.net/ASP/DURegistry/RegDetail.asp?id=100)



Ok, thanks! Hmmm... I see you have 15mm offset wheels too! :P How does this affect handling? So far, I've been using 225/45 R18 tires on them. They do rub at full lock, so I just back off about half a turn... I lose turning radius. I figured something was wrong with the previous owner's setup... I just want to know if there's anything I can do about it without changing wheels (I can't exactly afford a new set)

Thanks again! :)

**PS... my wheels are BMW 745 Replica wheels 18" ... the wheels of this type that I've found online all have 20mm offset, but the shop that sold a set just like mine (I don't know where the previous owner bought the set that's on my car) say they are 15mm... Is there anyway for me to check the offset myself?

[jplacson]

You're telling me!!! They came with Dunlop LM tires... I know a good size is 235/40/18. I'm eyeing new Michelin Preceda for my next change. My tires are 8.5"

I honestly don't know what they're hitting... on full wheel lock, I heard a slight 'grind' so I immediately backed off... but I'm gonna check it in the shop tomorrow when I pick up my car... I can see everything better when the car is on the lift being aligned after the suspension repair.

I'm still not sure where my wheels came from, but I think this is one strong possibility:

http://www.mogroup.co.ae/wheel33.htm

It's the EVE 166 wheel (replica of the Style 95 of BMW)

[jplacson]

Ok, lemme see if I got this right... so now that my wheels have a 15mm offset, and the E34 has a 20mm, that means I'm now running 5mm negative?

Drew, you said that it won't affect handling that much... in what way would it affect it, if it were a larger value? Thanks! :)