rim and tire question for 1994 540i

[tjk009]

Bought 540i this summer with 17" rims (not original rims I think) and now want to find some rims for winter. I have some 15" Michelin Ice tires from my Audi and wonder if I can get 15" rims. What rims can I use, which can't I. Will M3 or rims of 3 series work? How about 17" aftermarket wheels, will they work? Any help appreciated.

[jfs356]

I would look for the 15" "bottle cap" wheels for winter use, just saw a set on CL, cannot remember where, for $200. See link for pics:
Cars for Sale: 1992 BMW 525i Sedan in Greenville, MI 48838: Sedan Details - 326438177 - AutoTrader.com (http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=45415&endYear=1995&modelCode1=5_SERIES&showcaseOwnerId=343071&startYear=1990&makeCode1=BMW&searchRadius=200&listingId=326438177&Log=0)

[tjk009]

I would look for the 15" "bottle cap" wheels for winter use, just saw a set on CL, cannot remember where, for $200. See link for pics:
Cars for Sale: 1992 BMW 525i Sedan in Greenville, MI 48838: Sedan Details - 326438177 - AutoTrader.com (http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=45415&endYear=1995&modelCode1=5_SERIES&showcaseOwnerId=343071&startYear=1990&makeCode1=BMW&searchRadius=200&listingId=326438177&Log=0)

Is the hole pattern different between models, different model years? What works together, what doesn't?

[Tiger]

If you want to use 15" snow tires from your Audi, you need to buy 15" BMW wheels. 5 and 7 series are the same size and offset. You might be able to buy cheap 15" wheels from Tirerack or tires.com. ALot of the used 15" rims are not worth it if it need refurb or damaged un any way.

Tires.com will give you the hint of what offset you need depending on the rim width.

[Russell]

I would look for the 15" "bottle cap" wheels for winter use, just saw a set on CL, cannot remember where, for $200. See link for pics:
Cars for Sale: 1992 BMW 525i Sedan in Greenville, MI 48838: Sedan Details - 326438177 - AutoTrader.com (http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=45415&endYear=1995&modelCode1=5_SERIES&showcaseOwnerId=343071&startYear=1990&makeCode1=BMW&searchRadius=200&listingId=326438177&Log=0)
I bought a set of 15" cross spokes for $150 a couple of years ago for my winter tires. The cross spokes seem more comon than bottle caps.

[genphreak]

Any BMW 15 or 17" rim from 5 or 7 series, avoid e39 however as they had 75.6mm hubs so will fit but will shake... there are things such as hub-centric rings but you don't want to use them if you can avoid it.

As Tiger says, 5 and 7 series wheels interchange as BMW use a medium offset for both, eg 20mm standard (look for 'ET20' marked on the rim). Rule of thumb w offset is that the wider you go, the less offset you need:

Standard: 6.5", offset 20mm
M-SportL 7", offset 19mm
8", offset 15mm
8.5" offset 13mm

Any lower than 13mm is pushing it.

Of course the rim width really depends on the width of the Audi snow tires...

Just avoid 3 series rims as these have a high offset (eg 36mm)- they will fit but upset steering geometry, handle like **** and cause accidents in the snow.