somewhat of a wheel question (sorry)
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From: Dallas, TX
2001 BMW M3 vert
somewhat of a wheel question (sorry)
I really am clueless on offsets and how much of a difference a difference in offsets makes. I know 18x8.5 is really not optimal for us 124ers and that it really should be a 35 offset but I found some wheels I don't want to say no to and they're a 44 offset. Will they stick out exactly 9mm more? Any hope of making these work?
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From: Taiwan
W210, VW Phaeton
I really am clueless on offsets and how much of a difference a difference in offsets makes. I know 18x8.5 is really not optimal for us 124ers and that it really should be a 35 offset but I found some wheels I don't want to say no to and they're a 44 offset. Will they stick out exactly 9mm more? Any hope of making these work?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 350
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From: Dallas, TX
2001 BMW M3 vert
dammit i was afraid i was totally backwards on the offset thing but asked someone else and he got me turned around again. thank you very much elchuang
so I guess now my questions is: does anyone know if 44 offset sits too close for a 124? And If it does, I just add spacers right? so then I have to worry about if adding a 5 or 10mm spacer pushes the wheels out too far?
so I guess now my questions is: does anyone know if 44 offset sits too close for a 124? And If it does, I just add spacers right? so then I have to worry about if adding a 5 or 10mm spacer pushes the wheels out too far?
Last edited by BrabusBenz300E; Mar 16, 2007 at 09:03 PM.
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From: Seattle
1990 300ce
Yes, if you add a 9mm spacer it will make the wheel move outward 9mm. But basically what you'd be doing is changing the offset to 35. I have 18x8 ET35 and my wheels do not stick out. Since those wheels are another .5" wide, you might be very close in the front. The rear will be fine. But again, you need spacers.
I would be extremely surprised if you could get ET44 to work. it might hit your struts/shocks when you hit a bump.
IMO, I wouldn't go wider than 8" in the front for handling reasons. Hell, if I could do it over again, I would get 7" wide in the front and 8" wide in the rear. I would put spacers on the front to get the wheel closer to flush with the outer fender. The problem with wide wheels in the front is that ruts in the road have more leverage against your steering components and can cause your car to steer all over the place unexpectedly. I have to pay attention when I'm on crappy pavement.
I would be extremely surprised if you could get ET44 to work. it might hit your struts/shocks when you hit a bump.
IMO, I wouldn't go wider than 8" in the front for handling reasons. Hell, if I could do it over again, I would get 7" wide in the front and 8" wide in the rear. I would put spacers on the front to get the wheel closer to flush with the outer fender. The problem with wide wheels in the front is that ruts in the road have more leverage against your steering components and can cause your car to steer all over the place unexpectedly. I have to pay attention when I'm on crappy pavement.
Last edited by Bigpete123; Mar 16, 2007 at 10:40 PM.
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Youngtimer
i bought 44 offset wheels, and thought clearance of the shocks etc. would be the only issue, and i bolted up the wheel and it seemed great. but i realized i had tightened the wheel against the caliper itself, and the wheel wouldn;t move, so that option was out. they did seem to work fine on the rear though, i dunno.
i had too many problems with spacers, getting longer wheel bolts, spacers not fitting properly, etc., so i just ended up getting new wheels.
what style are you looking for? maybe we can help you find some that would work for you.
i had too many problems with spacers, getting longer wheel bolts, spacers not fitting properly, etc., so i just ended up getting new wheels.
what style are you looking for? maybe we can help you find some that would work for you.
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'87 260E
I have 17x8 ET44 Lorinser D93's w/ 225/45 all around, no rubbing-no fender rolling. A friend of mine also has ET44 on his 18x8.5 AMG, rears are fine, front rubs every once in a while due to the width. Both cars lowered 1.5-2 inches.
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Youngtimer
yeah, the only reason i could see my 44 wheels not fitting was the design of the back of the wheel, where it was contacting the caliper because it was too shallow. but it really looked like it wouldn't rub against anything else on the car...
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Youngtimer
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Youngtimer
from searching i came up with w123's having 14x6, ~30ET or so from the factory, so depending on the offset of your wheels they might work, maybe if they are a low offset?
