I want to run a set of BMW Stlye 5's from a 540i. There are a ton of people on e30tech/r3vlimited who have had wheels filled/redrilled, but I dont want to have to ship anything out. Anyone in the area can do it safely? If not, I'll just call Wheeldude and get some Rota's.....

 

memoryfab... bout 75 bucks a wheel though... do a search there are other places however

 

Depends on where you are. Even these days, I can throw a rock in Santa Clara and hit a machine shop. There are a TON of shops that should be able to do it, but as mentioned, probably won't be cheap. I presume this is for the e30? My buddy has a nice track only e30, I'll check with him and see if he knows someone reasonable.

 

Is it safe? I guess you can technically get some of those really nice sti fitment wheels that wrx people want and get them done up for 5x100.

 

This isn't for a Subaru AFAIK. I don't think I'd really feel totally comfortable driving on wheels like this either.

 

Ever thought about getting conversion spacers? Probably cheaper?

 

Conversion spacers aren't a good idea either IMO. My buddy said the best way to go is a 5 lug conversion with e36/z3 hubs but he also said the offset is incorrect for those rims on that car.

 

Ok, that makes sense. BMWs have a different kind of lug used IIRC.

How so? Obviously they wouldn't be a good idea for aggressive driving/racing, but if you can get a hubcentric spacer, I can't see how's horrible. I mean, you have the usual low offset, wheel bearings, handling, wear/tear that's associated, but safety wise for a daily driver, how bad is it really?

 

BMWs don't have studs in the hubs, just threaded holes - the lugs are the studs. IMO, the problem is, if you are looking at spacing the rim out by 1" extra, you are changing the suspension geometry by a fair amount, adding unsprung weight to each corner, and it is an additional bolted connection (the simpler the better in my book). In this case, the 540 rims have a much different offset than the e30, so a spacer might end up being a slight benefit, if they make them. I don't mean it is totally unsafe to do, it just isn't ideal.

 

Ya, that's what I meant, that they're lugs are also the studs.

Ok, so pretty much the standard issue with the spacers.

I'm going to be running a 17mm conversion spacer soon. If it's just like any other spacer than i'm fine with that.

 

So, Im just getting Rotas.......