E39 with a 40mm offset?

[Xeniczone]

Hi,
I'm looking at a set of rims for a E46, they are 8in wide and have an offset of 40MMs. I contacted the person with concern since most 8in wides on E39s have an offset of 20MMs. The guy said that according to the company they would fit. 20MMs is about an inch, so would they fit? Would it look bad to have the wheels recessed an inch?

BTW, my BMW is all stock. 1998 BMW 528i. It has brake vents (stock), stock suspension, and stock brakes.

Just wanting to know if they will fit.

[m3weaver]

No, these wheels will not fit... for TWO reasons....

One .. all BMWs except e39 have a 72.5mm hubcentric center hole, e39s have a 74.1, the smaller hole wheel will not fit on the e39 hub.

Two... a 40 mm offset pushes the wheel twords the car by 20mm (about .75 inch), a regular e39 tire (235) will most likely rub or at least look "skinny"


The only way to use this wheel is a 20mm hubcentric spacer adaptor and they run about $180 a pair. nixing any savings from not buying the correct wheels.

[98M3_4]

Another way would be to have the bore of the E46 wheel enlarged to 74.1mm by a machine shop and then buy the appropriate width spacer and longer wheel bolts.
IMO, not worth the effort and expense... look for wheels made for E39 unless you absolutely have to have a certain wheel and can get it dirt cheap

[Xeniczone]

They cost around 380 dollars, new they would have cost 750. For the amount of trouble you guys are spelling out, it doesn't seem worth it, and may even cost more then just buying the correct ones.

Thanks!