Help properly fitting 16x7.5 et35 please

[david2991]

Ok this may be simple to some but I would like to get a straight forward answer as possible. I pulled the trigger on a set of Borbet BS, 16x7.5 et35. The price was too good to pass up, now how to make them fit correctly is something I need an expert to chime in on. I'm assuming I have to buy spacers, if so, how thick would make them fit correctly?

[evilnickwong]

20mm spacers to get to et15 would be nice.

For reference, these are 16x7.5 et20 wheels on mine:

As you can see, still a bit of space left to poke (especially on the rear), which is why I suggested getting it to et15 instead. This is a 1991 sedan btw. I think early models might have slightly different rear arches.

[david2991]

So the closer the offset gets to 0, the closer the wheel/tire would be to the fender lip correct? If yours is et20, then et15 would be 5mm closer to the fender well...

Also, what is the standard for spacers, would the cheapest Ebay spacers be the same as H&R spacers? I guess my life depending on the wheels staying on is quite a factor to consider as well but I'm doing this on a budget.

[evilnickwong]

You can get any well made spacers, as long as they are hubcentric, both to the wheel (measure the centerbore) and to your hub (E30 is 57.1mm). I don't have any experience with ebay spacers, so I can't comment there.

[david2991]

Thank you for your prompt help as I've got a fresh set of wheels awaiting mounting in the garage! 20mm spacers it is.

[MR 325]

What size tire to you plan to run?

[david2991]

Thinking 205/45/16

[nrubenstein]

Thinking 205/45/16

You know that that looks stupid unless you are very low, right?

[david2991]

Did not exactly, but thanks for chiming in. I'm only on vogtlands right now and my car is considerably higher than most on coilovers on the forum. So any other recommendations then? 215/45...

[MR 325]

A 205/50 would be a properly sized tire. I'd run 15mm spacers personally.

[evilnickwong]

My tires in that photo are 205/50 as well.

I used to use 205/45, but as MR 325 said, they look silly without a massive drop.

[Tico Frank]

No, do not create non-hubcentric spacers. You want 15mm F 20mm R spacers for proper fitment, along with 205/50 tires (that's likely the cheapest size that maintains the stock rolling diameter).

This is what mystikal said when I asked the same question about the same size wheels.

[david2991]

Thank you for the help this is the direction I needed. I'll get a pic up when I get the wheels on.

[david2991]

Who in gods name would ever paint these wheels... But the price was too good to pass up so they are going on the e30.

[einstein57]

IIRC i was running running et 0 in the back and et5 in the front with 225/50/15s. Lots of rolling in the rear. Did not rub until i boosted it.