ASA AR1 Wheels on EURO E36!! WTF??

[deep throat]

After months of assuring me nothing would go wrong, here came the Tire Rack people to tell me that they cannot guarantee the ASA AR1 wheels fitting on my Euro E36!!! After I paid my tuner to ship it to his workshop!

They claim that most of their wheels have issues fitting on the Euro models! So I did my extensive research and compared the part numbers of the following between the two specs (US & Euro):

1) Rear axle components (identitcal)
2) Brake components (Identical)
3) Wheel specs are the same for both (BCD 5x120)
4) Rear panels (identical)

Yet they tell me that once shipped and found unfittable, they cannot be returned! I tried getting a hold of anybody at ASA itself, but they suck at costumer service and never replied to any Email or phone call!

My engineering sense tells me to go ahead and buy the rims, cuz honestly I'm fed up with the stupid 16s on the car, and I have done my research!! Yet, it's a gamble to buy something for a $1000+ to collect the dust!!

What to do??

[328 Power 04]

i dont see why it wont.

[motoracr22]

i dont see why it wont.

Why wouldn't they fit?

[ParadigmGuy]

You don't have a local tire shop in Dubai? :confused

[tomt30273]

what are the specs on your 16's. Wheel width and offset? And the same specs of the ASA's? I've seen cars with wheel widths from 7.5 to 8.5 inches, and offsets from 35 to 40mm, and no trouble. I know in some models the wheel well in back is bigger, but, unless you go really big with the tire choice, shouldn't be a problem.

[deep throat]

Why wouldn't they fit?

I think they should fit! But they keep warning me how they will have nothing to do with it if it doesn't!!!!! :mad



You don't have a local tire shop in Dubai? :confused

There are, but nobody knows about the ASA wheels. I'm doing the research myself and everybody at the tuner's garage is waiting for the results!!



what are the specs on your 16's. Wheel width and offset? And the same specs of the ASA's? I've seen cars with wheel widths from 7.5 to 8.5 inches, and offsets from 35 to 40mm, and no trouble. I know in some models the wheel well in back is bigger, but, unless you go really big with the tire choice, shouldn't be a problem.

The 16s are the OEM Z3 rims. The ASA I want are 8"x17" ET40 & 9"x17" ET44. But the problem is, putting myself in Tire Rack's incompetent position, probably a brake clearance issue. I don't know, I'll wait for the weekend to finish and have my tuner call ASA in Korea and inquire about this. HOPEFULLY somebody would pick up at least :confused

What a shame man....
They should fit no problem

[toddman35]

I don't see any reason they wouldn't fit. If the hubs have the same OD, the bolt pattern is the same, and brake clearance isn't an issue, go for it!

[KarlSpackler]

I don't see any reason they wouldn't fit. If the hubs have the same OD, the bolt pattern is the same, and brake clearance isn't an issue, go for it!
/thread

[mitchelrl]

I don't see why they wouldn't fit. But if you're not sure, just spend your 1,000$ on some LTW's and be even more happy.

[deep throat]

LTW??? Motorsport LTW???? You must be kidding man..They're almost double that number.

[Daved]

I don't see why they would think they do not fit...

[deep throat]

Update:

Here's ASA Wheels reply to my question:

"Hello,

If the hub diameter is same(72.6mm) as our products' spec.
These two type of wheel could be fitted on your car.

however, Only one thing, you need to check out is whether the hub ring is available.

Regarding ET(off set), our products is acceptable from 35.


Regards,

Yongkyu PARK"

Q1) On the REAL OEM catalog, both US & Euro front hubs diameters are 83mm, the front wheel bearing is 83mm for both, and the rear bearing has the same part number for both. How come they're selling the wheels for the E36 provided the hub diameter is 72.6mm?? :shifty :help It won't fit either!!!

Q2) What is the "Hub Ring"?? I couldn't find it on the catalogue!

WTF???

[cS]

dude youre gonna be fine put down the caffeine and get some sleep youre tweakin out

[ozbmw]

I have a euro m3 e36 and there is nothing unusual about the hubs, the brake rotors should also be the same size. I think you're safe.

[EEEEeeee36]

/thread
You like short threads, don't you?

[deep throat]

dude youre gonna be fine put down the caffeine and get some sleep youre tweakin out

I already ordered them, should be here next week......I kinda feel safe now that I've done my homework pretty well. Will let you know what happens and post pics.

[deep throat]

I have a euro m3 e36 and there is nothing unusual about the hubs, the brake rotors should also be the same size. I think you're safe.

That's what I've noticed too, the parts are 95% identitcal between the two versions so it should be fine!

[EEEEeeee36]

Update:

Here's ASA Wheels reply to my question:

"Hello,

If the hub diameter is same(72.6mm) as our products' spec.
These two type of wheel could be fitted on your car.

however, Only one thing, you need to check out is whether the hub ring is available.

Regarding ET(off set), our products is acceptable from 35.


Regards,

Yongkyu PARK"

Q1) On the REAL OEM catalog, both US & Euro front hubs diameters are 83mm, the front wheel bearing is 83mm for both, and the rear bearing has the same part number for both. How come they're selling the wheels for the E36 provided the hub diameter is 72.6mm?? :shifty :help It won't fit either!!!

Q2) What is the "Hub Ring"?? I couldn't find it on the catalogue!

WTF???
Dude, it's all right. Just chill. Yes, the wheel hub ID is 83MM. You need to learn something about axles before you start freaking out though.

YOUR WHEEL DOES NOT GO AROUND THE WHEEL HUB, IT ATTACHES TO IT.

That being said, you then have a collar nut that holds the wheel hub on. Now the part that the wheel itself actually has to clear is the little collar on the collar nut(hence why it is called a collar nut - if it didn't have a collar it would just be called "nut"). The collar is what the center cap attaches to and the OD of the center cap is what is 72.6mm. Obviously there was a breakdown in communication, and since you didn't know what you were talking about to begin with you pretty much tripped over yourself.

For the record, every wheel that fits on an E36 3er has an ID of 72.6mm just to clear that cap. :thumbup:

[deep throat]

Thanks, you live and learn.... :)

[EEEEeeee36]

Thanks, you live and learn.... :)
No worries - I probably wouldn't know if I hadn't taken so many wheels off and taken so many hubs apart! :D You saw 83MM in the ETK and the guy said 72.6 and your natural reaction was confusion. No biggie. ;)