I want smaller rims

[ultimatebohab]

Do all BMW rims fit on all BMWs? (This could be a stupid question, but I would really like to know) because I have 19's on my e38 and I was hoping to get a set of 16 or 17" so my car would ride better. Every time I find a set I like on craigslist or somewhere they are all off 3 series would they work? If so I’m getting them tomorrow!<?xml:namespace prefix = v ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" /><v:shapetype id=_x0000_t75 stroked="f" filled="f" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" coordsize="21600,21600"> :D<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"></v:stroke><v:formulas><v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></v:f></v:formulas><v:path o:connecttype="rect" gradientshapeok="t" o:extrusionok="f"></v:path><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></o:lock></v:shapetype> If not bummer a set of whatever came stock on my car would be fine as well if somebody would be interested in trading I may consider that as well. I have 4 19" deep dish don’t know the actual size and 4 normal 19" I have two of the deep dish on the rear and two normal on the front. One of the sets I have has a flat spot the guy I bought it from wife ran over the curb with all four tires!There all either 2 or 3 piece rims I think they came off a M series. I’m going to try and post a picture of the car the rims would be the ones I may trade.<o:p></o:p>

[mryakan]

No, there are many variables deciding which rims fit on which model. Brake disk+caliper size would mandate what the smallest diameter rim you can have. Then you need to see if the wheel width and offset work on your car without rubbing on the suspension components or fender. And then there is the issue of compatible tire sizes and their availability.
I doubt any 3 series wheels would work on your car. Also I don't think 16" would clear the brakes, but not sure.

[sirius815]

First, you can lookup your norminal range of offsets (based on factory wide wheels) and the center bore here: http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f83/bmw-wheel-hub-sizes-hub-centre-bore-sizes-t7759/

Secondly, I'm probably 80% sure you can run down to a 17 on your e38.

Notice that your center bore is common between the 7 and the 3 series, just the offset if much less on the 7er. That means you *could* run a 3 series wheel, but use a rather large spacer to make up for the difference in offset.

Also, you can use the little center bore spacer thingies (don't know their actual name) that will convert 5er center bores to the center bore you have on the e38 for cheap and just run the wheels as the offset between the 7 and 5 series is close.

Hope that helps.