[Thomthom329]

So, I'm hoping to get some advice from some of you experts out there.

I'm looking into purchasing a new set of wheels and need to provide them with my preferred custom offsets.

I currently have a MY11 550 w/ M Sport package and the car is lowered on Eibach springs.

I'm currently running OEM 351s with a 12mm spacer up front, and an 18 mm spacer in the rear (could probably bump this to 20 mm) - the setup is very flush. Specs are as follows:

Front: 20x8.5 et 21 (et 33 less the 12mm spacer)
Rear: 20x9.5 et 26 (et 44 less the 18mm spacer)

I'm looking to purchase a new set of 20" rims with the following basic specs:

Front: 20x9.5
Rear: 20x10.5

To maintain the same flush setup, according to my calculations I should purchase the following offsets:

Front: et 34
Rear: et 45

Is that right? To throw a wrench into this, I've heard that there are other members that are running these exact rims with the following offset:

Front: et 25
Rear: et 35

Granted, the other members have a 535, or do not have Msport suspension, but do either of those matter? Are the offsets different on a 535 vs 550, Msport vs standard suspension?

Any comments, suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated!

Thanks gang,
Pete

[Nitrous Garage]

I would recommend a ET30-32 in front and ET35-40 rear. Now you can run the two setups mentioned above but the second one will just be close and will risk having a little bit of rubbing.

[LACSTER]

Kind of hard to tell but that's 9.5 et25 fronts and I was able to add a 12mm spacer with no problem.

[Nitrous Garage]

Originally Posted by LACSTER

Kind of hard to tell but that's 9.5 et25 fronts and I was able to add a 12mm spacer with no problem.

Love your F10 LACSTER. Always a fan or Red or Blue BMWs

[Thomthom329]

Originally Posted by Nitrous Garage

I would recommend a ET30-32 in front and ET35-40 rear. Now you can run the two setups mentioned above but the second one will just be close and will risk having a little bit of rubbing.

Thanks Nitrous! Do you know if the 535 and the 550 carry different offsets? I can't imagine they would, but of all the cars that I can find that run this setup, they're all 535s.

Regarding your recommended offsets, I can bump up the front to et 30-32, no problem. But I'm already at the max offset of et 35 for the rears, unless I bump up to an 11" rim (which appears to be possible, but I'd really rather not, if given the option...)

Thanks again!

[Thomthom329]

Originally Posted by LACSTER

Kind of hard to tell but that's 9.5 et25 fronts and I was able to add a 12mm spacer with no problem.

So you're running 9.5 et 25 front AND a 12mm spacer in this pic here?

[Nitrous Garage]

Originally Posted by Thomthom329

Thanks Nitrous! Do you know if the 535 and the 550 carry different offsets? I can't imagine they would, but of all the cars that I can find that run this setup, they're all 535s.

Regarding your recommended offsets, I can bump up the front to et 30-32, no problem. But I'm already at the max offset of et 35 for the rears, unless I bump up to an 11" rim (which appears to be possible, but I'd really rather not, if given the option...)

Thanks again!

No, the 550 and 535 have the same fitments. 35 offset rear will be just fine

[LACSTER]

Originally Posted by Thomthom329

So you're running 9.5 et 25 front AND a 12mm spacer in this pic here?

nope that's 9.5 et25. no spacers on with that pic.

[Thomthom329]

Originally Posted by LACSTER

nope that's 9.5 et25. no spacers on with that pic.

Did the 12mm spacer rub then? If so, in theory, one should be able to go 9.5 et 15 without any issues.

[Thomthom329]

Originally Posted by Nitrous Garage

No, the 550 and 535 have the same fitments. 35 offset rear will be just fine

How that is I wish I knew, but I'm no expert and everyone keeps telling me et 35 will be fine. Just wish I understood the math... makes no sense.

[Nitrous Garage]

Originally Posted by Thomthom329

How that is I wish I knew, but I'm no expert and everyone keeps telling me et 35 will be fine. Just wish I understood the math... makes no sense.

If you need help understanding offset for this setup or future setups you can always shoot me a PM and I can try my best to explain it to you.

[LACSTER]

Originally Posted by Thomthom329

Did the 12mm spacer rub then? If so, in theory, one should be able to go 9.5 et 15 without any issues.

I'm currently running 9.5 et10 with a slight stretch on my tires with no rubbing.
But I'm on coilovers. I want to say 9.5 et25 should be perfect.

[remmib]

It also depends on the tire size. What sizes are you getting?

[Thomthom329]

Originally Posted by remmib

It also depends on the tire size. What sizes are you getting?

Most likely 255/35 & 285/30 (FR & RR) since my drop is conservative with Eibach's, but considering 245/35 & 275/30 as well. I prefer an aggressive fitment, but need meaty tires for the roads in my area.