[GooseCasey]

Like a lot of people on here, my 550i M sport was crying out for a wheel upgrade. The 19" 351M wheels seemed too small, too common (I'm talking to you, 535i) and too light in color, especially against Azurite Black. I know the consensus is for the 343Ms but I really like the 7 spoke design of the 601Ms and I never see them on the road.

I looked at getting the rims on eBay but my dealer, Classic BMW in Plano, ended up giving me a really amazing deal. I guess buying a 550i and an X6M two months apart gets you special treatment. Seriously though, I'm really happy with the service I've received from my sales team, PM me if you're looking for a dealer in the DFW-area. Plus, I ended up being really glad I got them from the dealer. Read on to see why.

I specified the M5 601M wheels with 255/35 & 285/30 Michelin PSS tires. I also had them order 5mm spacers just in case I needed whether or not they are necessary to clear the brake caliper.

After waiting a few hours for them to mount the wheels and tires, I came out to find them poking out a good inch past the fender. It didn't look at all like the pictures of the 343s I'd see on other posts and it was definitely going to rub. They gave me a loaner car and we left it to deal with the next day. It bugged me the whole way home until I found this post that explaining that the 601Ms come in M5 and M6 variants.

http://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthr...highlight=601m

Sure enough, when the dealer checked the next morning, they had ordered the 9.5" and 10.5" M6 wheels. So that explained why they were poking out so far past the fenders. Now the next problem was that while they could get the 9" M5 fronts, no problem, the 10" rears were no where to be found in the States. Lead time was going to be 7-10 days. To avoid that delay, and to try to minimize the rear wheel sticking out, I kept the M6 fronts but used them for the rear. I'm REALLY happy with the results.

Stock
BMW 351M
Front Wheel: 8.5 x 19 ET 33
Front Tire: 245/40R19
Rear Wheel: 9 x 19 ET 44
Rear Tire: 275/35R19

M5
BMW 601M
Front Wheel: 9 x 20 ET 32
Front Tire: 265/35R20
Rear Wheel: 10 x 20 ET 34
Rear Tire: 295/30R20

M6
BMW 601M
Front Wheel: 9.5 x 20 ET 31
Rear Wheel: 10.5 x 20 ET 19 (!)

My Setup
BMW 601M
Front Wheel: 9 x 20 ET 32
Front Tire: 255/35R20
Rear Wheel: 9.5 x 20 ET 31
Rear Tire: 285/30R20

I'm going to check the speedo difference tomorrow. It was actually ~3MPH low with the stock setup so that should be minimized with the new, slightly larger diameter. I'm also going to figure out the weight difference. I'll post those numbers when I have them

Cheers,

Gabe

[GooseCasey]

Here's what it looked like with the M6 601Ms all around. Yikes!

[Simple5]

Crossing my fingers that one day soon a company is going to make a rep out of these. I have a feeling is going to be happening soon!

[.BMW.]

The style 601 wheels looks amazing on your 550.

Smart combination with M5 front spec for the fronts and M6 front spec for the rear. With this combo the rear is 8 mm more aggressive than the front.

My experience is that the rear wheels could be 5-10 mm more aggressive than the fronts on non M cars for a nice fitment.

[BimmerV8]

nice wheels and a very smart setup !

btw, the photo of your fender and the front wheel makes me think that a 245 tire on a 9" wide wheel shouldn't produce a lot of stretch if talk about Michelin PSS.

[lsturbointeg]

WOW! came out really good! are you planning on lowering at all? if you're not consider some ACS springs as they have a subtle drop. it'll lower it just enough to compliment those wheels and the overall look of the car! did you end up using those 5mm spacers?

[GooseCasey]

No, I didn't need the spacers with the M5 fronts. Interesting the M6 fronts did require the spacer to clear the caliper.

I have the Macht Schnell 5mm spacers if anyone is interested in them.

Goose

[550Reasons]

looks great, needs a small drop
surprised it didnt clear the caliper, youd think the M5 / M6 calipers were bigger

[Mbbrewer]

Do you have the 704 M sport suspension?

[GooseCasey]

Yup, 550i M sport.

[Mbbrewer]

Originally Posted by GooseCasey

Yup, 550i M sport.

Thanks. Would there be any issues with the M5 setup on the rears with 295 tires? Did you use spacers on the front?