e38 Style 5s

[chadthestampede]

I picked up a set of these on a whim.

I've seen several redrills (Wishno, the ones for sale right now, etc) and they look great, but I was reading Wishno was saying he had to run spacers as well.

I'm wondering how well these would work with adapters. I thought they were et 25, but looking at another thread it looks like et 23. With a 20mm on the front and 25mm or so adapter on the back it would bring it down to et 3 and et -2, which I imagine may not work all that well.

The only reason I would consider the adapters is the cost of the redrill + spacers would likely be more than adapters, and if I could knock out the spacer and 5 lug problem with an adapter I would.

I'm just spitballing here, thoughts?

[JJ1]

They would stick out too far IMO

[Wishno87]

I had a 20mm on the back with rolled fenders on an early model and I had another 5mm of clearence but the fronts wont work at all. I was poking with just 8mm up front.

[Longboardmtk]

I've got a set of the same wheels for my e30, and I thought about going the spacer route too...

Ultimatley I decided to go the fill and drill route though. Although its going to cost more up front, and won't solve the "5 lug problem", I would rather have the wheels the way I want them when I'm done. Running 20mm spacers would push them way too far out as far as I'm concerned.

I'm planning on having mine filled and drilled by e30Rob, having hubcentric rings pressed in for the 57.1mm hub size and running 5mm spacers.

I won't have all of the work done for a few weeks probabally, but I'll be sure to post some pictures up of the whole process when its all done. Then you can decide for yourself

[chadthestampede]

I've got a set of the same wheels for my e30, and I thought about going the spacer route too...

Ultimatley I decided to go the fill and drill route though. Although its going to cost more up front, and won't solve the "5 lug problem", I would rather have the wheels the way I want them when I'm done. Running 20mm spacers would push them way too far out as far as I'm concerned.

I'm planning on having mine filled and drilled by e30Rob, having hubcentric rings pressed in for the 57.1mm hub size and running 5mm spacers.

I won't have all of the work done for a few weeks probabally, but I'll be sure to post some pictures up of the whole process when its all done. Then you can decide for yourself

Definitely let me know, that sounds like a route I might go. Thanks a lot.

[Lurker27]

Ditto, I have a set of these sitting in my closet. I love how they look on E30s.

[Philo]

Yeah, the adapters will leave you will a silly offset. It's workable - basically imagine 16x8 sportmax fitment. If you did 18mm adapters it would leave you with an offset of et5.

With the fill and drill you will need spacers for the front to clear the brake clip and spacers in the rear to even it up. $100 for two pairs of hubcentric spacers is what i'm doing. 5mm up front and 8mm in the back. This puts me at et18 front, et15 rear.

So if you can get the fill and drill done for around $225 the price is exactly the same as adapters - just different offsets.

[Mr Two]

I'd think some negative camber would do the trick nicely.

[george graves]

Sub'ed.

Yea, there was a set for sale that had been re-drilled asking way too much. I'm not going to spend $1000 on a re-drilled, stock wheel. Not happening.

I was under the impression that these rims could be picked up for a song ($2-300),do a re-drill & fill for $200, add some spacers (that some of us have on hand already -and if not a bad investment to have on hand anyways), and bingo - affordable 16 inch weaves. No?

If so, that's really attractive option.

[Philo]

Yeah, the average price on these things is around $200 (In my location). Then you will spend $100 on hubcentric spacers (If you want to do it the right way). After that the ultimate cost is up to you. Trying to find a wheel shop or machinist who will do the work for the right price may be the difficult aspect.

[my15thBMW]

I have re-drilled two sets of style 5 e38 wheels and 1 set of e39 style 5's and I have never had to use a set of wheel spacers. The rears go right on and clear fine. The front wheels though will rub a little on the front calipers so I had them grind down a few mm's off the outer caliper to clear the wheel. The sit flush and no spacers needed. Used 205/50/16 tires and they look great. Here are some pic's.

Redrill non filled $20 each.
Wheels from Ecology auto parts $70 (50% off day!)
Hub rings $30

[chadthestampede]

You didn't get them filled? Pics of the hub?

[my15thBMW]

They look just like JJ1's post of redrills. I also had them done at the Wheel Zone.

[Jand3rson]

Yikes, now lower that sucker!

[N2MYE30]

Yes lower but still dayum hot!!!