15" BBS look too wide.

[DA-BEAST]

Hi Guys,

I have an '89 325i SE Auto. I recently swapped out the 14" Bottlecaps for 15" BBS alloys with 205/55/15 Bridgestones SO2's.

My question is that on looking at the car the wheels seem way too big for the arches and the rim of the tyre seems to sit almost flush with the bottom of the arch. Also, the tyres rub the liners on full lock.

This doesn't seem normal to me

I thought at first that there were spacers fitted but there are not. Then I thought that perhaps the wheels look odd because there is no bodykit fitted? Having seen the wheels on vehicles with an MTech2 kit they look fine.

Any sugeestions? Is this just normal?

Cheers

DB.

[nasir325ic]

check the offset, they should be around et24,

the originals should not touch on a full lock.

they stick out more than the bottletops becasue of the lower offset.

[DA-BEAST]

HI mate,

Thanks for the speedy response. The rims are def genuine BBS (well, they are stamped BMW on the inside!).

I will check out the offset at the w/e...

Er, how do you do that

[Hyperion]

take the cap off it should have a stamp there that looks something like ET24 , or ir will be behind the wheel. If the wheels are only rubbing on the front you could change the front to 195/55 R15...just an idea

[nasir325ic]

take the centre cap of and in the middle there should be something which starts with ET followed by a number

[DA-BEAST]

Cheers all...

I'll check out the offset this evening.

Actually, I think the car looks better with slightly narrower tyres. It would be a shame to lose the Bridgestones though as they are practically brand new...

When I get round to swapping them I'll pop 'em on here for sale.

Cheers,

DB

[Geeman]

Bridgestone SO2's are a bloody good tyre. One of the best. Don't get rid of them... though if you do, punt them my way.

[DA-BEAST]

I do want to keep them, but i also want ot keep my wheel arch liners!

I'll keep all informed...

Cheers,

DB

[jmc330i]

Behind the cap you should see 'BMW e24' if its a genuine BMW BBS wheel, also the wheel size....

[jmc330i]

I swapped from 14" bottletops to 15" BBS (205/55/15) on my touring and had no rubbing issues - you can just see them in my sig pic.

[DA-BEAST]

OK... I'm on a mission now... I'll check 'em out this evening.

Great pic... always makes it easier when you can see what ppl are talking about.

DB

[Globulator]

My avatar shows my 15 BBSs - never rubbed but the suspension isn't lowered (much).

[kevin316i]

15" BBS alloys wearing 205-55-R15s should not give any rubbing on standard or MTEC suspension.

[Zayyan]

DB

Are you sure your suspension isn't lowered/shagged?

[Bob_S]

my 205's rub on the inner arch ever so slightly and on the front duct guide. both on standard is susp and lowered. I'm not worrying about it because it simply isnt worth it. I have seen a few e30's with 205's on and they have all had this issue

[DaveD]

mine have rubbed a bit after i put the eccentric bushes on

[DA-BEAST]

Wheels are offset e24 (and are original). Maybe it is that the suspension is shagged!

As if things aren't bad enough I was due to take the Beast up to Wales this w/e and it wouldn't start... had to take the g/f's MX-5! How embarrassing!

(Incidentally the engine is turning but not kicking in, not even a little bit - I think it might be a fuel issue).

It's in getting sorted today so fingers crossed it won't be expensive...