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Thread: Rear wheel change

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Bandon, OR
    Posts
    46
    My Cars
    2000 740i Sport,

    Rear wheel change

    bmw1.jpg

    On my 2000 740i sport, it has the 18" x 8" M37 wheels on all four corners.

    I am considering changing out the rears to the 18" x 9.5" wheels.

    My question at this point is if there is any advantage / disadvantage to doing so?

    I notice currently that rears don't stick out as far as fronts do.

    Any one out there done this to date?

    Any input would be appreciated.

  2. #2
    What are the specs? If BMW thought a staggered geometry for the wheels would be better, they would have done it as they do on many. My 01 X5 had staggered 20s that looked and handled great.

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  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Seattle, WA
    Posts
    1,433
    My Cars
    1999 BMW M3 Coupe
    If they fit and you're only driving it on the street, no it won't really change anything in a meaningful way.

    The sport package for that car is supposed to have a staggered setup with 235/50 front and 255/45 rear tire, which I assume is what you have now. Just going to a 9.5 inch rear wheel with the same tire in the rear will make it a little more flush, but you can also do the same thing with wheel spacers for much less $ if you just need to kick your wheels out closer to the fender. The main reason to run wider wheels is so you can run wider tires, in your case wider than a 255 in the rear. On the street there probably isn't a ton of reason to do this since all you'd do is reduce gas mileage.

    Check out some quality wheel spacers from somewhere like Apex. Something like a 12mm spacer is probably all you need, but you can measure. You'll also need to get new lugs or install wheel studs if you do get spacers since they'll need to be longer.
    1999 M3/2/5 - Titanium Silver - Track/Weekend Toy


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Bandon, OR
    Posts
    46
    My Cars
    2000 740i Sport,
    This particular car has same size wheels and tires on all four corners. The wheels are 18" x 8 " and tires are 235/50-18. It is not currently a staggered pattern. The owners manual for the vehicle shows the 18" x 9.5" wheel listed in the Tire and Wheel specs.

    If I decide to change out the rears, other than changing tires, is there any thing else I would need to do to make the change.

    I also find it curious that BMW selected a shorter tire for the 9.5" wheel.

  5. #5
    I also find it curious that BMW selected a shorter tire for the 9.5" wheel.

    2.25 mm, about 1/10th of an inch. I think they make it right somehow

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  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Bandon, OR
    Posts
    46
    My Cars
    2000 740i Sport,
    Thanks dano,

    Do you own a E38?

  7. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by 1stbeamer View Post
    Thanks dano,

    Do you own a E38?
    I've only had 5 and 3 series

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  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Bandon, OR
    Posts
    46
    My Cars
    2000 740i Sport,
    I find this car to be most amazing. The performance is substanial especially for how heavy the car is.

    I also just purchased 2 of the 18" x 9.5" wheels off of ebay. Remanufactured oem BMW and a decent price.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Seattle, WA
    Posts
    1,433
    My Cars
    1999 BMW M3 Coupe
    Just make sure your total wheel height including tire is close to the original (this can change a bit if you go to a wider tire or thicker/thinner tire). And obviously, make sure the wheel offset is close enough to your current wheels that it will fit and not rub on your fender.
    1999 M3/2/5 - Titanium Silver - Track/Weekend Toy


  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Bandon, OR
    Posts
    46
    My Cars
    2000 740i Sport,
    Thanks for your response Tostito Bandito.

    As I had mentioned in a previous post, the owner's manual specs the 9.5" wheel.

    The vehicle currenty has Cooper 235/50-18 Zeon RS3 A tires with overall dia. of 27.28"

    I will purchase cooper 255/45-18 Zeon RS3 A tires for the rear which has overall dia. of 27.09"

    I don't anticipate any problems but will pay close attention to all clearances with new wheels and tires.

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