[Feanor]

I know there have been threads about this before, but they seem to come to vague conclusions. I realise it's a question of offsets etc but one thread mentioned different offsets between front and rears, which makes no sense to me.

According to this website, the E90 and F30 wheels are the same:

PCD - 5x120
Center bore - 72.5
Offset - 34
Mounting - 12 x 1.50


One thread somewhere mentioned that the F30 is using M14 bolts instead of M12, but if the "mounting" figure is referring to the bolt then this doesn't appear to be correct.

Can anyone confirm that this website's information is correct and that E90 wheels are compatible with the F30?

Or if not, can anyone provide references to sources that say otherwise?

*looks hopefully for E90Fleet*

[remmib]

Originally Posted by Feanor

PCD - 5x120
Center bore - 72.5
Offset - 34
Mounting - 12 x 1.50

PCD - Same

CB - Same

Offset - Different offsets on different OEM F30 wheels
16x7 ET31
16x7.5 ET35
17x7.5 ET37, 17x8.5 ET47 rear if staggered
18x8 ET34, 18x8,5 ET47 rear if staggered
19x8 ET36, 19x8.5 ET47 rear if staggered
20x8 ET36, 20x8.5 ET47 rear if staggered

Mounting - 14x1.25

And F30 has taller tyres.

[Feanor]

Originally Posted by remmib

PCD - Same

CB - Same

Offset - Different offsets on different OEM F30 wheels
16x7 ET31
16x7.5 ET35
17x7.5 ET37, 17x8.5 ET47 rear if staggered
18x8 ET34, 18x8,5 ET47 rear if staggered
19x8 ET36, 19x8.5 ET47 rear if staggered
20x8 ET36, 20x8.5 ET47 rear if staggered

Mounting - 14x1.25

And F30 has taller tyres.

Thanks.

I'm a bit puzzled about the offsets being different though - I thought they had to be the same?

Or do the offsets differ depending on the wheels that the car comes with? To be honest though I don't really understand what the offset measurement really means.

Regarding the mounting specs, it sounds like you're saying that the info on the website is wrong?

As for the tyres being taller, do you mean the profile is bigger? IE the /xxR figure? (eg /45R or /50R)

[remmib]

Originally Posted by Feanor

Thanks.

I'm a bit puzzled about the offsets being different though - I thought they had to be the same?

Or do the offsets differ depending on the wheels that the car comes with? To be honest though I don't really understand what the offset measurement really means.

Regarding the mounting specs, it sounds like you're saying that the info on the website is wrong?

As for the tyres being taller, do you mean the profile is bigger? IE the /xxR figure? (eg /45R or /50R)

The offset of a wheel is the distance between the centerline of the wheel and the plane of the hub-mounting surface of the wheel, and is measured in millimeters.

The F30 has bigger wheel bolts, 14x1.25 (14mm thread diameter) vs 12x1.50 (12mm thread diameter) on the e90. But I'm pretty sure M14 bolts fits through the holes on e90 wheels.

Yes, the profile is bigger, e.g 225/45/18 on f30 vs 225/40/18 on e90, so the profile is "5 more" on the f30 on same width tyres.

[tiltmode43]

Originally Posted by Feanor

Thanks.

I'm a bit puzzled about the offsets being different though - I thought they had to be the same?

Or do the offsets differ depending on the wheels that the car comes with? To be honest though I don't really understand what the offset measurement really means.

Regarding the mounting specs, it sounds like you're saying that the info on the website is wrong?

As for the tyres being taller, do you mean the profile is bigger? IE the /xxR figure? (eg /45R or /50R)

In simple terms, the offset number determines how far in or out the wheel will sit on the car. A lower offset will have the wheel sticking further out, a higher offset will have the wheel sunk in.

The offset number will differ from car to car. Some cars require a higher offset up front + lower offset in the rear while other cars require similar offsets front and rear. Wheel width is also a number to take into consideration. An 18x8 ET35 & 18x9 ET35 will have differing outer and inner positons - the proper front outer position and rear outer position will differ from car to car. Thus there are no universal requirements such as the offset being the same front and rear.

Profile number does not necessarily determine the thickness of a tire. Let's use a 225/45/18 for example. The thickness of a tire is the section width (225mm) multiplied by the profile number as a percentage (.45). Thus the tire thickness of a 225/45/18 would be 101.25mm (about 4") thick.

So by stating taller tires he means the thickness would be greater, creating a larger outer diameter. E90 18" tire thickness would be 225*.40 = 90mm while 18" F30 tire thickness would be 225*.45 = 101.25mm. So yes, F30's require larger/taller tires

[scott@bmwhn]

We had a E90 come through the shop with the F30 style 397 (18" sportline wheels).

They seemed to mount up fine with no clearance issues even with the taller F30 tires (looked a bit silly with those tall tires though).

[MrRager]

e65s are 14mm and i had them on my e90 with no issues whatsoever

[adamsclubs]

The above posts both seem to say it is fine to put F30 wheels on E90 cars, but what about the other way around?

I have a set of Forgestar F14 wheels custom made for my 11' 328i, if they can go on an F30, that will make me more inclined to get an F30 in the future.

The F14 wheels do need hubcentric rings, but I don't think this is an issue, I am more concerned about the bolts fitting through the wheels. The F14s require thin wall socket to install the lugs.

And of course the offsets. My front is 18X8.5 E32, rear 18X8.5 ET26. What do you guys think?

Taller tires should not be an issue.

And one more thing, is it true that the F30 with M-Sport will have larger disc brakes even for the 328i? Is this true for the E90 also or it is new for F30?

[cardnation]

The fronts should fit, however thats a pretty low offset on the rears so it will be hard to say until we get more real world data to go on.

My best guess is that it will fit in the rear simply because you can get 9" OEM wheels.

[adamsclubs]

Originally Posted by cardnation

The fronts should fit, however thats a pretty low offset on the rears so it will be hard to say until we get more real world data to go on.

My best guess is that it will fit in the rear simply because you can get 9" OEM wheels.

Basically my rear wheel will come out 14mm compared to the OEM 18x8 at the rear.

[Rossifumi]

Originally Posted by adamsclubs

And of course the offsets. My front is 18X8.5 E32, rear 18X8.5 ET26. What do you guys think?

People are fitting 9.5 ET38 in the back without rubbing.
And that is 1mm more aggressive so it should be fine.

[E46M54325Ci]

any info on whether the M14 F30 bolts will fit through factory spec e9x wheel holes? I am assuming it wont be a problem but would like to confirm.

[cardnation]

Originally Posted by E46M54325Ci

any info on whether the M14 F30 bolts will fit through factory spec e9x wheel holes? I am assuming it wont be a problem but would like to confirm.

Both are 5x120.

[martinf79]

As always ... go this this site ... plug in the OEM size and put in the specs for the new setup ... will tell you whether the rim/tire setup will work ... no point asking on here, as its dependant on MANY variables ... and sometimes people will give you the wrong info as well (as they are misinformed themselves).

http://www.rimsntires.com/specs.jsp

[martinf79]

Originally Posted by martinf79

As always ... go this this site ... plug in the OEM size and put in the specs for the new setup ... will tell you whether the rim/tire setup will work ... no point asking on here, as its dependant on MANY variables ... and sometimes people will give you the wrong info as well (as they are misinformed themselves).

http://www.rimsntires.com/specs.jsp

and FYI - you'll be fine upfront w/ a 34 +ET (as OEM is +35). The rears, you'll be 13mm farther out to fender (which may look a bit "off"). Might stick out too much. I'm going w/ a 37+ET, and I'm 9mm out to fender (which a few folks on here have done), and is probably as far out as you would want to go.

[E46M54325Ci]

Originally Posted by cardnation

Both are 5x120.

I know that, my concern is whether the actual holes on the wheels are big enough to accommodate the 14mm wide M14 bolts vs the e9x 12mm M12 bolts. it's just 2mm so I am assumings a no brainer yes. but BMW is so uber precise about some things that you just never know.

[cardnation]

Originally Posted by E46M54325Ci

I know that, my concern is whether the actual holes on the wheels are big enough to accommodate the 14mm wide M14 bolts vs the e9x 12mm M12 bolts. it's just 2mm so I am assumings a no brainer yes. but BMW is so uber precise about some things that you just never know.

Whoops, it seems my reading comprehension was off this morning.


I wouldn't chance it without being 100% sure first, 2mm is a big difference.

[E46M54325Ci]

^ that's what I was thinking

[swszolek]

Originally Posted by E46M54325Ci

any info on whether the M14 F30 bolts will fit through factory spec e9x wheel holes? I am assuming it wont be a problem but would like to confirm.

Yes, they will fit with no issues. I have BMW style rims (162) which are from E9X and intend to use them as my winter set on my F30. Given that I was able to measure the hole size and compered to bolt size of F30 (M14) vs E90(M12)

M12 Bolt - 12mm (0.472")
M14 Bolt - 14mm (0.551")

BMW Rims Style 162 Hole size 16.13mm(0.635)

Given the above this will give you bolt clerance of 1mm or 0.042" which is planty. The clerance with M12 bolt is 2mm 0r 0.0815".


Hope this helps

[E46M54325Ci]

Originally Posted by swszolek

Yes, they will fit with no issues. I have BMW style rims (162) which are from E9X and intend to use them as my winter set on my F30. Given that I was able to measure the hole size and compered to bolt size of F30 (M14) vs E90(M12)

M12 Bolt - 12mm (0.472")
M14 Bolt - 14mm (0.551")

BMW Rims Style 162 Hole size 16.13mm(0.635)

Given the above this will give you bolt clerance of 1mm or 0.042" which is planty. The clerance with M12 bolt is 2mm 0r 0.0815".


Hope this helps

hey, thanks! that's great news!

[getman3d]

And what about the angle of the "cone" of the bolt? There can be free play of the rim...

[E46M54325Ci]

Originally Posted by getman3d

And what about the angle of the "cone" of the bolt? There can be free play of the rim...

I wonder about that too.