steelies on e30, need assistance

[naika]

Hi Guys,
I posted in the wheels sections but no answers yet. If anybody can help figure out offset/backspacing.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=104799

Thanks

Franck

[PiercedE30]

16x8 - just about perfect is et 23. That's what my E38 basket weaves are. I wish the rears were et 18 or et 15. Just so the rears would be flush.

[naika]

I hear Backspacing for e30s is 5" but might need a small spacer in the front, What if I do 15x9 in the back with a 5" backspacing and a 15x8 with a 4.5" backspacing in the front?
I might go with 15 since they are available with a chrome lip and primered center ready to paint.
Any advice?

[PiercedE30]

15x9 with 5" back spacing ~ ET 12 or so. Not high enough, need like ET 18 ( 5.25" back spacing) Front looks fine.

[naika]

15x9 with 5" back spacing ~ ET 12 or so. Not high enough, need like ET 18 ( 5.25" back spacing) Front looks fine.

So, the 1/4" would bring it closer to the shock, right? I would basically be increasing the offset by 1/4"
How do you figure it would be et 12 with a 5" backspacing.
Sorry for those questions but I want to make sure I understand how to figure it out before I order the wrong thing.
Thanks a lot for the help

[PiercedE30]

ET is measured from the center line of the wheel (width). ET is in mm. If you have a 5" backspacing, that's one inch towards the face of the wheel. One inch is ~25mm. You can use a spacer, like 8mm spacer, to get the ET down to ~17mm.

[naika]

ET is measured from the center line of the wheel (width). ET is in mm. If you have a 5" backspacing, that's one inch towards the face of the wheel. One inch is ~25mm. You can use a spacer, like 8mm spacer, to get the ET down to ~17mm.

Ok, I think I getting it ;-)
So, if I decided to go for a 15x9 wheel and get a 4.5" backspacing, I would basically be running an et 0 (zero offset). Right?
I can pick my backspacing when ordering the wheels so I am trying to figure out hte backspacing not to have to use the spacers.