E31 vs E34 Wheel Offset

[dternst]

I purchased a set E31 8-Series M-System II "Throwing Star" Wheels for my '95 E34 5-Series. I assumed all "Throwing Star" Wheels were the same and didn't know about the difference in offset until I found this very informative post:

http://bimmer.roadfly.org/e31/messages/archive/msgsy2001w05/12223.html

My question:

The E34 5-Series: M-System II "Throwing Star" Wheels have a 20 mm offset in the front (8 X 17) and a 22 mm offset in the rear (9 X 17). The E31 8-Series M-System II "Throwing Star" Wheels have a 10 mm offset in the front (8 X 17) and a 19 mm offset in the rear (9x17). What do I need to have for the E31 wheels to work with my E34 BMW? What damage, if any, could I do to the tires if I install the E31 wheels on my E34?

Please help. These wheels were just refinished and I'd hate to have to sell them and wait for the opportunity for the E34 wheels, a rear commodity, to become available again.

Thanks in advance,

David

[darron525]

check this link: http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/upgrade/wheels_upgrade.htm

darron

[DrewZ]

Unfortunately I only have anecdotal information. I've had front wheels with offsets ranging from 23mm to 12mm. The 12mm offset wheels were 17x8.5 Alpinas with 235/45/17 tires. Since your T-stars are narrower (8" vs. 8.5"), but have a extra 2mm offset, they should be fine unless your car is lowered alot. I would recommend mounting them with 235/45/17 tires & trying them. If they rub the fender well, you can try to find an E31 owner who settled for E34 offset wheels, and try to trade.

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


I purchased a set E31 8-Series M-System II "Throwing Star" Wheels for my '95 E34 5-Series. I assumed all "Throwing Star" Wheels were the same and didn't know about the difference in offset until I found this very informative post:

http://bimmer.roadfly.org/e31/messages/archive/msgsy2001w05/12223.html

My question:

The E34 5-Series: M-System II "Throwing Star" Wheels have a 20 mm offset in the front (8 X 17) and a 22 mm offset in the rear (9 X 17). The E31 8-Series M-System II "Throwing Star" Wheels have a 10 mm offset in the front (8 X 17) and a 19 mm offset in the rear (9x17). What do I need to have for the E31 wheels to work with my E34 BMW? What damage, if any, could I do to the tires if I install the E31 wheels on my E34?

Please help. These wheels were just refinished and I'd hate to have to sell them and wait for the opportunity for the E34 wheels, a rear commodity, to become available again.

Thanks in advance,

David

[dternst]

I'm back after a long hiatus (since after the first change from the original board) and knew I could get the answers I was looking for here. Thanks again gentlemen.

[Phil Sanderson]

I know a guy in the local BMW Club who swaps the throwing stars off of his 840ci to his '91 535i for Show & Shine day and has no tyre rubbing issues at all.

[Phil Sanderson]

I know a guy in the local BMW Club who swaps the throwing stars off of his 840ci to his '91 535i for Show & Shine day and has no tyre rubbing issues at all. His 535i has been lowered slightly. Please excuse double post.

[mike wong]

there shouldn't be any problems. I have e38 m-parallels in which the front wheels are 18 x 8 with 13mm offset. 245/40 tires do not rub.

the rear m-p's are 9.5 wide with 25mm offset. makes the wheel more inboard than yours. however your dimensions are so close to the stock 17 x 8, 20 mm wheel, that there should not be any interference with the fender, unless you have a tire larger than 245. the OEM 18x9 22mm offset m-p can fit a 265/35 tire in the rear wheelwell without rubbing. beware of trying a 275/35 though.

you may be able to fit a 255/40x17 without rolling the fenderlip. note: different brands of tires will have size variations - even though they have the same size label imbedded on the sidewall.

you made a good find.

[bimmerd00d]

all of them are the same. i put the turbines on my car (see sig)`