Battle of the BBS - 15" or 16"?

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andrew_baran
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Post Wed May 09, 2012 11:50 pm

Trying to make a decision - do 15"s look too small on lowered (see "stanced") e30's? Wondering if I could gather some pictures please -

Looking for E30's of any body style lowered on either 15" or 16" split rims - BBS RS, RMs, O.Z Turbos, Lenso BSX, eBay RS reps, doesn't matter. As long as they are dishy and low! Would love to know the specs of the wheels too if you wouldn't mind sharing?

Andrew.
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harry_p
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Post Wed May 09, 2012 11:57 pm

15in split rims look too small on an e30. because of the dish, the basket area is smaller than on a standard 15in bbs, which visually shrinks the wheel.

add to that that splitrims look daft with high profile tyres, so you fit smaller profile tyres which leave an arch gap, so you have to lower the car even further, but it's already closer to the ground because of the smaller tyres.

it's a vicious circle, and in my opinion means 15in split rim wheels never quite work.
cheers,

harry
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Post Thu May 10, 2012 12:10 am

I think they do with moderate lowering and proper sized tyres.

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Last edited by Blitz on Thu May 10, 2012 3:21 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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george101
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Post Thu May 10, 2012 12:11 am

14" bbs looks good on a lowered e30 with low pro tyres.
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verde
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Post Thu May 10, 2012 12:25 am

who cares aslong as theyr deep
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Kos
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Post Thu May 10, 2012 1:01 am

george101 wrote:14" bbs looks good on a lowered e30 with low pro tyres.
no they dont

15's are about a small as you'd want on a lowered e30

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8 and 9 x 15's

195 45's and 215 40's, some coilovers = win

16's would be better though
Last edited by Kos on Thu May 10, 2012 2:13 am, edited 1 time in total.
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harry_p
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Post Thu May 10, 2012 2:05 am

dips' touring is about the only car i can think of which just about pulls them off, even then i think it would look better another 1/2 an inch lower at the front to even out the arch gaps, but at that height it would already be a nightmare to drive, which is why after it was sold it was raised to a useable height with a massive front arch gap to match :(
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Post Thu May 10, 2012 2:12 am

agree 100%

we did drop it a bit more on the front one day when we tool it the No Rice meet in guilford

it was stupid low, you could scape chewing gum remains of pavements if you wanted. i'm amazed we didnt trash the sump, but fuck me did it get some looks riding that low.
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Post Thu May 10, 2012 6:05 am

16's are the only way to fly, and no silly deep dishes with stretched tyres...standard 7inch RS003's all the way on 205/45.

Problem is they cost more than most E30's if you can even find an original set......which i happen to have :roll:

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Post Thu May 10, 2012 8:44 am

15" just if you do it right, 14" is a no-no as it looks a bit daft, 16" best all-round 8)
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Post Thu May 10, 2012 8:53 am

I've never quite been able to decide if the 15"s work on Dips' car. Maybe 16"s are the way to go - cheers guys. Please do keep the images coming though, would love to see more :)
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Post Thu May 10, 2012 8:55 am

andrew_baran wrote:I've never quite been able to decide if the 15"s work on Dips' car
Just!!!
Yes 16" all the way, don't have to go stupid low to fill the arches properly. Saying that, some 15's do look good if you get the ride height/tyre/wheel combo bang on! :thumb:
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Post Thu May 10, 2012 9:00 am

mrLEE30 wrote:16's are the only way to fly, and no silly deep dishes with stretched tyres...standard 7inch RS003's all the way on 205/45.

Problem is they cost more than most E30's if you can even find an original set......which i happen to have :roll:

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You should be wearing 205/50/16's Lee :cool:
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Post Thu May 10, 2012 11:10 am

Rav335uk wrote: You should be wearing 205/50/16's Lee :cool:

205/45 were free!! so I wear em!
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Post Thu May 10, 2012 12:36 pm

Blitz wrote:I think they do with moderate lowing and proper sized tyres.

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WIN!

Much better than all that stretched stanced undersized nonsense!
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Post Thu May 10, 2012 2:42 pm

bss325i wrote:
Blitz wrote:I think they do with moderate lowing and proper sized tyres.

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WIN!

Much better than all that stretched stanced undersized nonsense!
I couldn't agree more. Thats a nice looking Chromie!
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Post Thu May 10, 2012 4:04 pm

Lots of very pretty, but almost OEM+ cars. So what about going towards the other extreme then? Are there many "stanced" e30's about on the zone? Also, are there many E30's about running OZ Turbos? Google throws me no good results.
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Post Thu May 10, 2012 4:22 pm

Dezzy wrote:
bss325i wrote:
Blitz wrote:I think they do with moderate lowing and proper sized tyres.

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WIN!

Much better than all that stretched stanced undersized nonsense!
I couldn't agree more. Thats a nice looking Chromie!
I dont care if they are the right size tyres for them wheels,they look shit,a lower profile would and does look much better.
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Post Thu May 10, 2012 4:51 pm

Lower profiles are for more modern cars. They look shit on E30s. Check out the arch gap you get on 205/50/15.
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Post Thu May 10, 2012 7:20 pm

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MattTheHat325
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Post Thu May 10, 2012 7:35 pm

Embrace the arch gap! Mine is slammed but still has a hefty gap on the front. It's more obvious on a facelift as the rear looks low anyway. I quite like large profile tyres on wide wheels, very 80's, and a very retro way of hinting at some proper power! I think I will be going down this route when I get my turbo done :D
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Post Thu May 10, 2012 7:46 pm

macas wrote:I dont care if they are the right size tyres for them wheels,they look shit,a lower profile would and does look much better.
They look great!

It's an 80's BMW not some wanky jap turd or french hatch!
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Post Thu May 10, 2012 7:49 pm

bss325i wrote:
macas wrote:I dont care if they are the right size tyres for them wheels,they look shit,a lower profile would and does look much better.
They look great!

It's an 80's BMW not some wanky jap turd or french hatch!
+1!
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Post Thu May 10, 2012 8:17 pm

Blitz wrote:
bss325i wrote:
macas wrote:I dont care if they are the right size tyres for them wheels,they look shit,a lower profile would and does look much better.
They look great!

It's an 80's BMW not some wanky jap turd or french hatch!
+1!
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Post Thu May 10, 2012 9:39 pm

Mr LEE , those are maginificent! I would love to get my hands on some of those
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Post Thu May 10, 2012 9:51 pm

GooneriC wrote:Mr LEE , those are maginificent! I would love to get my hands on some of those
/Would you really winkeye
I may have a set coming to me in a few weeks :D
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Post Thu May 10, 2012 9:58 pm

Shameless hijack Rav - but yeh everything depends on condition / ££ hehe
PM me , shipping to Bdos may not be a problem anymore , i'm looking to get a freight forwarder in Middlesex by the end of the month.
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Post Thu May 10, 2012 10:02 pm

Will do.
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Post Fri May 11, 2012 4:40 pm

Well you can have some nice Ac shnitzers then! Very nice and 80's!!
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Post Sat May 26, 2012 6:31 pm

what is better option...standard BBS 15'' vs BBS RM 7,5x15/8x15?
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Post Sat May 26, 2012 6:44 pm

mine's on 15" with 205-55s still cant decide if i like them or not lol

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Post Sat May 26, 2012 7:41 pm

Its totally subjective as to what looks better.

Personally I think anything over 45 profile looks bad on any car except maybe a 4x4 and they certainly don't feel good to drive. So unless you are ultimately concerned with disconnecting yourself from the car and the road go up a rim size and go down two tyre sizes :)
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Post Sat May 26, 2012 7:56 pm

I want to see a set of 16" splits with 8j at the front and 9j at the rear. If you can fit 16x9. Borbet As under an e30s rear arches then you must be able to get some serious split rims too... :cool:
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Post Sat May 26, 2012 7:57 pm

I just got these today, 15" 7j RH Germany. Quite an old school wheel but much nicer and lighter then my old 17" alpina replicas.

What do you guys think?

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Post Sat May 26, 2012 8:16 pm

mcbonio wrote:I just got these today, 15" 7j RH Germany. Quite an old school wheel but much nicer and lighter then my old 17" alpina replicas.

What do you guys think?

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Looks great :thumb:
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