I don't hate bottlecaps (as much) anymore!

[fretburnr]

I decided that I don't really hate the wheels, I just hate the way they fit on a lowered car... they're narrow, they sit sunk into the wheel wells, etc. I picked up a used TMS stud kit and 20mm FK spacers from a local friend, along with some lugnuts from turner, and made the car ready for winter rally season. Narrow snow tires + caps FTW.

A before shot from last year showing fitment (I know, I know, everyone's seen bottlecaps):



a before shot right now


and after










It's certainly no euro-poke monster, and there's plenty more room to space further if I felt like it.. but it definitely looks a lot nicer than it did, and the added track width has made a noticable change in how the car feels on 14s. It feels far more stable both going straight and turning.

... i'm still considering painting the 'caps gold though :rofl:

Also, i'd definitely recommend these tires for anyone in a snowy climate - Dunlop SP Wintersport M3 in 185/65-14... I used them for half of last year's snow season, and they've got remarkable snow/slush traction and are still semi-sporty feeling.

[asubimmer]

goodness how short of a stud kit did you get?

[fretburnr]

Not short at all - the lug nuts thread on completely with about one thread extra sticking out. This is an older kit without the nut-starters that TMS offers... come to think of it I'll have to ask him again, they look more like the H&R ones that BMP sells.

I didn't measure, but I'd guess somewhere around 70mm overall length.

[mtechnik]

True true..

[Car Addict]

i actually like that look

[Jonathan M3]

Much better.

[Erick]

I don't see the difference? :p I mean... you clearly have another 20mm to go still ;)

[Bimmerista]

Looks clean

[nando]

I use my bottlecaps as winter wheels - I don't think I've washed them in 4 years now.

[M42Technik]

Very cool, I was planning to space out my baskets...but I don't plan on running them this winter...

[Raxe]

Whoa, planning on plowing snow with that thing? So very low for winter, especially with the splitter.

I've never hated the look of bottle caps, nice job spacing them out.

[fretburnr]

Thanks guys! I can't believe I actually think they're not bad looking now. Well... not terrible :D

I don't see the difference? :p I mean... you clearly have another 20mm to go still ;)

nah, i just need 2" widened caps with the same 185's on 'em, right? :D

Whoa, planning on plowing snow with that thing? So very low for winter, especially with the splitter.

Haha, it is low. I pull it off when the snow finally hits, or when the roads are finally permasalt later on this season. I learned my lesson after getting my last lip+splitter destroyed last winter.

[One21Two]

Great job. I spaced out my 14" weaves last week with H&R 15mm spacers. It makes my car look way better. IMO. I love my weaves now.

[rThor432]

I'm going run bottle caps and spacers on my car if it actually snows here this winter. Your car looks great.

My friend is running RD springs with bottle caps on his turbo M10. Complete sleeper look.

[fretburnr]

oh, and in case you're wondering about the sticker, it's homage to the guy who got me into motorsports