Your opinion on these wheels for Track Day

[HJ1981]

Hey guys,

so when i purchased my 1990 325i, they came with the standard 15x7 BBS basket weaves, as well as some nice and rare-ish MSW 1962a style 15x7 ET12 wheels.

I had both wheels completely re-done by a professional shop, both sets got stripped down, checked for straightness, cracks etc and repainted.

The problem here, is that i was planning to use those MSW wheels for track days (either Nankang AR-1 semi slicks, or the more expensive dunlops, still unsure). Sadly, as i mounted the wheels, i got nothing but vibrations.

We re-balanced the wheels, everything is spot on, then found out that two wheels have a very strange bore. One wheel has a 60.9 mm bore and the other wheel has a 61.1 mm bore.

It is strange, because MSW only produced this specific wheel for the E30 (back in the 80s) and with KBA 41147 (57.1 mm bores only). So either someone messed around with them or, there was a production issue.

I managed to find some 60.1 mm rings, that made them fit a lot better, but it is still almost 1 mm off and since 61.1 mm is not "standard" ring size (60.1 and 63.3 is the more common) i am unsure what to do now with those wheels.

I have contacted a ring seller, asking if they can make me custom ring(s), but i am unsure of his reply.

With that said, i am unsure which direction i should go for those wheels. Keep them and find someone who can custom make some rings (maybe take the wheels to a machine shop and let them perfectly make new rings) or sell them and get some money out of them and get a different set of wheels for the track (maybe even 15x8 sizes instead).

Here are some pictures of the finished wheels, i think they look great, but finding a reliable machinist locally to make custom rings will be a hassle.

What would you recommend me to do? they weigh in at 7.2 kgs each. I had to use other caps (not shown) from ebay, to get the right size (again a uncommon size of 54 mm outer and 52 mm inner)

[DanThe]

Shouldn't be difficult to get some spigot rings made, its the only solution really

[Dlb26]

I'm manager of a machine shop, the rings will be very simple to make with the wheels at hand to accurately measure the bores. Could even get all 4 matched first if they are different. Find one close to you i'm sure they'll be happy to help.

[HJ1981]

Thank you both for your feedback.

Dlb26 i measured all 4 wheels as best as i could with calipers, and two wheels are 57.1 mm, it is the other two that are with bizaar bore sizes.

Nevertheless, i shall take all 4 wheels to a machine shop and have them take accurate measurements.

Appreciate your advice.

[flybynite]

Could even get all 4 matched first if they are different.

That would be my way of doing it, get the wheels machined to a standard size then use any old spigot ring. Means you don't have the same agro if you ever bend or damage a spigot ring they are readily available without getting another custom one made.

[HJ1981]

Could even get all 4 matched first if they are different.

That would be my way of doing it, get the wheels machined to a standard size then use any old spigot ring. Means you don't have the same agro if you ever bend or damage a spigot ring they are readily available without getting another custom one made.

Measured all the wheel bores a few times, two are bang on 57.1 mm, i'm still trying to understand how two other wheel bores are 60.9 mm and 61.3 mm

Wait, are you saying to have the wheel bores themselves machines instead of getting custom rings? In this case, it would be better to have those two uncommon wheels bored/machines to 63.3 mm, since rings in that size are common.

[Dlb26]

If there's enough metal to go out to that size and not weaken the wheel then that would be the way to go. You need to look how close 63.3mm will take the bore to the bolt holes for example.

[HJ1981]

If there's enough metal to go out to that size and not weaken the wheel then that would be the way to go. You need to look how close 63.3mm will take the bore to the bolt holes for example.

That is exactly what concerns me.

I am also considering getting some aluminum or harder plastic 63.3 mm rings and slowly sanding them down (by hand) to make them "fit" the wheels instead.

That would probably be the quickest and easiest method, and no structure of the wheels would need to be compromised.

[HJ1981]

I guess this is the problem with living in a small town.

Everyone is telling me, it is not worth the time or money to repair those wheels. No one wants to bore them out, due to fear i recon.

All the same recommendations, is to basically list them for sale, and say "as is" and not to mention the bore "issue".

I am not sure about that, but i can not sleep at night, knowing i sold wheels without revealing all the information.

I guess i need to get some 63,3 mm rings and slowly sand them down to make them fit, or send the wheels to Db and see what he can do to them.

[DanThe]

Not being able to find anybody that can make something so simple is pretty sad.

The only problem to overcome in order to enlarge the bore of the wheels is holding them, you would need a big old lathe and somebody competent enough to clamp them without damaging anything. Making an interference fit spigot ring is a doddle to anybody that understands basic machining, its no more than a couple of hours work.

Sanding down plastic by hand is not going to result in a perfectly round insert, its needs to be 100% perfect otherwise the wheel wont be located centrally to the hub

[steve_k]

if you want custom made interference fit spigot rings then try this place

https://www.pcdbolts.com/spigot-rings?f ... 6midQH0z8c

it's run by a lad named zack, could be worth a try.

[HJ1981]

Not being able to find anybody that can make something so simple is pretty sad.

The only problem to overcome in order to enlarge the bore of the wheels is holding them, you would need a big old lathe and somebody competent enough to clamp them without damaging anything. Making an interference fit spigot ring is a doddle to anybody that understands basic machining, its no more than a couple of hours work.

Sanding down plastic by hand is not going to result in a perfectly round insert, its needs to be 100% perfect otherwise the wheel wont be located centrally to the hub

I know, but thats what i have to deal with.

Either find someone to bore the wheels, custom rings or sell them "as is".

if you want custom made interference fit spigot rings then try this place

https://www.pcdbolts.com/spigot-rings?f ... 6midQH0z8c

it's run by a lad named zack, could be worth a try.

I shall re-measure all 4 wheels once more, take pictures and contact them, thank you i appreciate it.