325ix purchase/ wheel delimma

[TheJDexp]

Howdy, I'm new to this forum, and I'm trying to become a 325ix owner but I need some guidance. I've always loved e30s, but eventually came to the conclusion that Canadian weather would make it too unsafe (rwd), so I abandoned the dream.

But then I found out about the AWD version and my head exploded.

Here's the problem though. XXR 002's 8x15 +0 offset is the only wheel that floats my boat. Seriously, not being able to use them is a deal breaker.

So after 4-5 hours of research, I've come to 2 conclusions:

-It's not really possible:(
-It might be possible:)

This guy is running them seemingly trouble-free:



So here are my questions:

1. If I tear off the fender flares and roll em, am I good to go?
2. If not, could I modify the hubs/brakes/wheels to make it fit for under $1000?

Thank you in advance for any input!
JD

[downforce22]

they won't fit. I'd suggest another wheel. You could MAYBE fit another 8" wheel IF your offset was about 35.

Can't go wider than that, and you can't get a much lower offset on an 8 inch wheel

[imwhyteyo]

I've already been down that road. Same wheel. Trust me I tried more innovative methods than your hub rebuild. Just not going to happen. And if you do you need monstrous height, or severe body work. Spring perch poses a grand issue as well.

[mitchlikesbikes]

you're going to not buy a car because you can't use a particular kind of *XXR* wheels...?

[imwhyteyo]

you're going to not buy a car because you can't use a particular kind of *XXR* wheels...?

Lol.. I adored them for a while too but quickly fell off the trend
They aren't as bad as they are given the reputation, your just getting what you pay for. Easily stealable/identifiable. .. Easy to bend... Although they do make for an extremely light wheel, they proved well for me In a few autocross events. They provide a good track at 0et, and with an non stretched tire, they serve their purpose. It's too bad they look as sharp as they do because for the price, I'd pick up another set!.

[imwhyteyo]

But you're right.. to generalize the "image" of owning an extremely reliable and capable vehicle around the idea you cannot get some ebay wheels to work on them, then I think your in the wrong forums. Stancers have their own place to be and you won't find it here. The ix is a little more of the advanced enthusiasts section. Not a whole lot of guys here more concerned with neck breaking in this section. More about mechanical engineering and driveability..

[Northern]

I don't know what would make a rwd e30 bad for winter driving. With a limited slip and winters, mine was much more capable than my mazda is.

As for the wheels, I don't know what to say.

[Q5Quint]

I think my ix snow steelies that I still have on my rwd e30 are only 6" wide. I have to run spacers in the front so they dont rub on 'normal' e30 struts. They work awesome in the snow, but obviously they were even better with awd and the ix.

This thread confuses me. The kamoters guy is getting nearly 10" treads with flares- if you roll your ix fenders I am sure you could get 8" up front BUT due to the front driveshaft stuff you need to make sure your offset is correct to clear the strut tower. The ix can use 205 width tires stock. 205mm = 8 inches. If you can use 8" tires stock then 8" wheels will probably work. The 0 offset will probably run the tire into your strut though, as an ix needs 41mm positive.

"Available BMW original
wheels with their offsets for 325iX are :

14x6 standard steel wheel ET 47
14x6.5 BBS cross-spoke (aka basketveawe) ET 45
15x7 BBS cross-spoke ET 41"

8" isnt the problem, the zero offset will be the problem as it will bring the tire about 41mm closer to the strut that it is supposed to be. ie it might collide with the strut. A spacer might help or might not depending on how close that strut is. If you can find the wheel with a closer matching et it will probably be fine.

[nando]

So here are my questions:

1. If I tear off the fender flares and roll em, am I good to go?
2. If not, could I modify the hubs/brakes/wheels to make it fit for under $1000?

Thank you in advance for any input!
JD

1. no.
2. no.

look at the video again, they don't really fit. it looks like a 90's Mexican lowrider. they're going to stick out like 1.5-2" His tires are also way undersized.

ET0 wheels are just not going to fit an ix unless you hack up the body.

Q5, you have it backwards. the lower the offset, the further the wheel sticks out. He needs a wheel with an offset between 30-33. you could fit an 8" wheel or a really wide tire on an ix but most people want 6" of lip and 195s so it doesn't really happen. ET0 is just not going to work unless you want to be a stancetard.

the high offset of the ix has nothing to do with clearing the AWD parts - it's because the hubs physically stick out further. the ix already has a wider track, so to keep everything under the fenders BMW used a high offset wheel. the stock wheels with 205 tires are actually pretty close to the struts already.

I had 235/50R15 R888s which are like 250mm wide in actuality. They are about as wide as you can physically go without cutting into sheet metal. And actually, I think a 225 is better because they weigh significantly less and respond a lot sharper. a 225 is definitely not a problem, but you can't just go with whatever offset, because up front you have to clear the strut and in the back you have to clear the fenders.

now the difficult thing is finding a wheel that's between approximately ET30-35, 8" wide, lightweight, attractive, and affordable. They exist but there's not many options. I like 949racing but I've been satisfied with my 7.5" and I don't think I could justify $800 to the wife for an extra 1/2" in wheel. :p

[audiquattrot]

never gonna work.

[TheJDexp]

Thanks for all the input, I really appreciate it, just needed some closure to make the right decision.

But to answer a few posts regarding my concern for aesthetics(just explaining, not being defensive;)):

I'm not rich, I can work on my car but I don't own a garage/hoist, so purchasing ANY car is a huge freaking deal. I can't afford one car for this type of situation, then buy another one for whatever, another one for work. So yeah, if I buy a car, it's a serious commitment: I gotta have standards to cover as many angles as possible.


That includes looks.


Seriously, do we date women purely because of their awesome functionality and robust reliability?

Looks is always a factor. And it turns out XXR002s are my favorite wheels for e30s, and to me, not much comes close except unfindable vintage ones. Although, I wasn't aware of the XXRs cheapness, so now I have even more to reconsider:-?.

Anyways, thanks again for chiming in!

[TheJDexp]

I don't know what would make a rwd e30 bad for winter driving. With a limited slip and winters, mine was much more capable than my mazda is.

As for the wheels, I don't know what to say.

I kinda agree, and I really want to consider that route, but the weather out here can be rough. Basically I had a bad experience on the highway once with a RWD hitting a patch of ice, and it shook me pretty good. Mind you that car only had all seasons, but there's no way an AWD or FWD would've spun out crazily like that. Once the car slipped, it was out of control.

To quote Bill Burr's stand up: Sure it is, until it isn't.;)

[TheJDexp]

now the difficult thing is finding a wheel that's between approximately ET30-35, 8" wide, lightweight, attractive, and affordable. They exist but there's not many options. I like 949racing but I've been satisfied with my 7.5" and I don't think I could justify $800 to the wife for an extra 1/2" in wheel. :p

Yeah I'm starting to notice the lack of options for this car. When I first started my research I was really surprised that companies offered almost no options for different offsets for a particular wheel. It's just "x wheel has +15 offset and THAT'S IT" "y wheel has 0 offset and THAT'S IT". So if you need a particular offset, you need to choose A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT wheel style.

It's like going to a shoe store and going:

"May I try this one in size 10?"

"Sorry we don't have a size 10 for this particular shoe."

"Oh so there's none in the back."

"No no. I mean we literally don't manufacture this particular shoe in a size 10"

:loco:

[The Dark Side of Will]

but you can't just go with whatever offset, because up front you have to clear the strut and in the back you have to clear the fenders.

Could 8.5 fit with different offsets front and rear? ;)

So if you need a particular offset, you need to choose A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT wheel style.

http://www.corner-carvers.com/forums/showpost.php?p=966251&postcount=41

The Forgestar business model is based around making spun-forged/pressure cast blanks in a bunch of sizes with a big "pad" on the backside that can be finish machined to order in your choice of offsets, bolt pattern, and hub bore. Their video on "The Making of a Custom Forgestar Wheel" shows what they do in California. This model takes a bit more inventory to pull off, but otherwise uses the same machining steps to finish out a set of wheels that any 3-piece wheel company does to create their centers. They bring them in raw and powder coat them in-house in over a dozen colors. We liked the first set we ordered so much that we became a Forgestar dealer and have sold a dozen or more sets in the past few months - and many of those were to corner-carvers members. Custom orders are arriving in about 2-4-weeks, and they have a bunch of Mustang 18x10" sizes in stock that ship the same day.

[downforce22]

I don't think you can fit wider than 8 inches. I just put on 17x7.5 kosei k1's et 45 and they fit fine with 215/40/17s. I have also run falken hanabi 17x7.5 et 42 on 235/40/17s. My third set is 17x7.5 et 40 no name BBS LM replicas and they had 235/45/17s on the car.

There are options, like the BBS RX 17x7 look good. Basically any wheel that fits a miata, mini, or honda in 4x100 bolt pattern can fit the iX, you just have to make sure your offset is between 30-45 depending on the wheel width.