16x8 Style 5's on Adapters vs Fill and Drill

[TAC]

Picked up some nice 16x8 style 5's a little while ago with plans to fill and redrill them in the future for my late model e30.

However, I've been seeing a few cars with the same wheels that actually look quite good with 18mm adapters, 205 tires, and a minor fender roll in some cases.

Anyway, I found some interesting 15mm 4x100-5x120 e30 adapters on eBay that are pretty tempting. I'm almost certain I could run these with 205 tires (or maybe even larger?). I was just wondering if anyone else knows about these adapters or has thoughts on my situation as a whole. Other solutions? Or should I just stick with paying extra for a thorough fill and drill?

Adapters are definitely cheaper (and perhaps safer?) so if I can go with them without too much compromise I'd definitely like to.

[Jokester]

If it’s a daily, a proper fill n drill will arguably be as safe as adapters.
However, each have pro’s and cons.

Adapters:
Pros: more robust, plug and play (no hubcentric rings, studs, lugs, spacers),
can make your car stance hot boi
Cons: way too high of et, thus tire size drops a ton, you can only fit a 205/45
with a good amount of camber in the front on a 18mm adapter. but if
you’re into stance and tons of low to make it look good, go for it.

Fill n Drill:
Pros: can fit proper tires, looks meaty af and you don’t have to be slammed to
to pull off proper figment, less rotational mass
Cons: can be very risky if you go to a trash shop, requires hubcentric rings,
extended studs, lugs, spacers to clear brake calipers in the front, wheel
may not be appealing to the eye after fill n drill, may not be able to
balance the wheel 100% (again if the shop is trash)

Overall, I had adapters, didn’t like little tires, so I sold my adapters, got a proper fill n drill, nice sized tires (225/45 Direzza ZIII’s) and I’m a happy camper. I drive on super nice and clean SoCal roads so take that into account also.

Hope this helped, cheers

[Staszek]

If it’s a daily, a proper fill n drill will arguably be as safe as adapters.
However, each have pro’s and cons.

Adapters:
Pros: more robust, plug and play (no hubcentric rings, studs, lugs, spacers),
can make your car stance hot boi
Cons: way too high of et, thus tire size drops a ton, you can only fit a 205/45
with a good amount of camber in the front on a 18mm adapter. but if
you’re into stance and tons of low to make it look good, go for it.

Fill n Drill:
Pros: can fit proper tires, looks meaty af and you don’t have to be slammed to
to pull off proper figment, less rotational mass
Cons: can be very risky if you go to a trash shop, requires hubcentric rings,
extended studs, lugs, spacers to clear brake calipers in the front, wheel
may not be appealing to the eye after fill n drill, may not be able to
balance the wheel 100% (again if the shop is trash)

Overall, I had adapters, didn’t like little tires, so I sold my adapters, got a proper fill n drill, nice sized tires (225/45 Direzza ZIII’s) and I’m a happy camper. I drive on super nice and clean SoCal roads so take that into account also.

Hope this helped, cheers

Agree with all of this. I filled and drilled because I didn’t want to roll or run 205’s.

Since I am running the IE Willwood kit mine fit perfect with no spacers needed running 225/45. If you go for I t, make sure you go to a good shop. It’s not cheap to fill and drill done right. Ewheelworks does a great job.


Don’t mind the front stance I had not changed the springs yet.

[jdt10768]

I bought some Style5 16x8s - drilled/filled/refinished from Paul E. Very happy with the fit and quality. Have to use hubcentric rings, but no big deal. He actually milled the inner face slightly to get the correct offset, perfect. No issues whatsoever, but a bit $$$

[cspec]

I have the same setup using adapters and I think it's fine. Just need 205/45/16 tires and a small roll. The idea of filling and drilling bugs me which is why I went with adapters.

[TAC]

Wonderful info - Much appreciated! I’m going to get some quotes for fill and drill because having the extra tire options is always nice. If it’s too much for my budget ($600+), I’ll probably order some hubcentric 15mm’s front and 18mm rears with 205 tires. That way I can eventually 5-lug swap and keep the wheels if I ever want some cooler tires.

Another important bit is that my car currently sits at stock height. It’s a late model, so I’m going to do some slight drop hats up front but I won’t be able to install better shocks and spring (Billy/H&R Sports) for some time.

[Staszek]

Wonderful info - Much appreciated! I’m going to get some quotes for fill and drill because having the extra tire options is always nice. If it’s too much for my budget ($600+), I’ll probably order some hubcentric 15mm’s front and 18mm rears with 205 tires. That way I can eventually 5-lug swap and keep the wheels if I ever want some cooler tires.

Another important bit is that my car currently sits at stock height. It’s a late model, so I’m going to do some slight drop hats up front but I won’t be able to install better shocks and spring (Billy/H&R Sports) for some time.

I know Ewheelworks charged $100-$150 per wheel so within your budget and he is really good.

You can ship to him. He can also clean up and paint the wheels if you wanted.

http://ewheelworks.us/

[TAC]

I know Ewheelworks charged $100-$150 per wheel so within your budget and he is really good.

You can ship to him. He can also clean up and paint the wheels if you wanted.

http://ewheelworks.us/

I'll check him out. Only thing is I'll still have to get spacers to clear the brakes (if my memory serves me correctly).

After talking to someone with 18mm's all around running 205's, I might just go with some solid adapters like he has and put my extra money toward getting my suspension overhauled. He said the rear fenders needed a slight roll, but everything else was perfect and his picture looked great with Bilstein and H&R Sports plus some slight drop hats up front.

Would like to keep the wheels unmodified for potential 5 lug swap in the future the more I think about it.

[Staszek]

I'll check him out. Only thing is I'll still have to get spacers to clear the brakes (if my memory serves me correctly).

After talking to someone with 18mm's all around running 205's, I might just go with some solid adapters like he has and put my extra money toward getting my suspension overhauled. He said the rear fenders needed a slight roll, but everything else was perfect and his picture looked great with Bilstein and H&R Sports plus some slight drop hats up front.

Would like to keep the wheels unmodified for potential 5 lug swap in the future the more I think about it.

Yea if you are running the stop M20 205 will be fine.

[TAC]

Yea if you are running the stop M20 205 will be fine.

I will be for a while. I'll overhaul the brakes later before I get around to an s54 swap like you're doing (wonderful thread by the way!). I definitely won't be running adapters then.

[AWDBOB]

IMO adapters just don't look right up front, and you can't fit a proper tire most of the time. The only way to get it 100% is a fill/dill (or obviously E30 M3 suspension). 205/45s don't look right either, they don't have enough aspect ratio for my taste.

I used VR wheels.

Cost:
Wheels: $200
Shipping there: $80 (my UPS account)
Fill/Drill: $300
Shipping back: $120 (their flat rate)
Motorsport Hardware 10mm Front/15mm Rear Spacers, skinny wheel bolts and hubcentric rings: $150

Total: $850

8mm spacers required up front to clear brakes unless you're running a BBK with a thinner caliper. I went with 10mm because 8s weren't available in a hubcentric version.




Pictures:





IMG_2527 by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr
IMG_2561 by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr
IMG_2563 by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr
IMG_2577 by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr
IMG_2567 by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr
IMG_2513 by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr

IMG_2556 by Bobbie Morrone, on FlickrIMG_2549 by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr

[Staszek]

Perfect stance Bobbie!

Here is the work that ewheelworks did on my BBS.

[TAC]

IMO adapters just don't look right up front, and you can't fit a proper tire most of the time. The only way to get it 100% is a fill/dill (or obviously E30 M3 suspension). 205/45s don't look right either, they don't have enough aspect ratio for my taste.

I used VR wheels.

Cost:
Wheels: $200
Shipping there: $80 (my UPS account)
Fill/Drill: $300
Shipping back: $120 (their flat rate)
Motorsport Hardware 10mm Front/15mm Rear Spacers, skinny wheel bolts and hubcentric rings: $150

Total: $850

8mm spacers required up front to clear brakes unless you're running a BBK with a thinner caliper. I went with 10mm because 8s weren't available in a hubcentric version.




Pictures:





IMG_2527 by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr
IMG_2561 by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr
IMG_2563 by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr
IMG_2577 by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr
IMG_2567 by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr
IMG_2513 by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr

IMG_2556 by Bobbie Morrone, on FlickrIMG_2549 by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr

Gorgeous car! Just need a good lip and side skirts ;)

Dang! I think I'll have to go fill-and-drill after all...

I suppose I can still use the wheels even after an s54 swap if they're done right and if I use brakes like Staszek has.

So I think the 15mm adapters are too much of a risk. It's either fill and drill with hubcentric spacers and some lovely meaty tires or 18mm/20mm adapters with 205 tires and perhaps a slight fender roll. Adapters are cheaper and allow me to do a 5-lug swap later, but I can always get good 4x100 brakes and keep the simplicity of the fill and drill with easier fitment.

Side note: There's a local precision cylinder head machine shop that will do it for $125/wheel. Not the cheapest but having it local is a huge plus.

Thanks again for all the feedback. I think I'm definitely leaning back toward fill-and-drill. The extra peace of mind and flexibility is probably worth the extra cash.

Edit: Forgot to ask: What suspension/tire size are you running?

[AWDBOB]

Gorgeous car! Just need a good lip and side skirts ;)

Dang! I think I'll have to go fill-and-drill after all...

I suppose I can still use the wheels even after an s54 swap if they're done right and if I use brakes like Staszek has.

So I think the 15mm adapters are too much of a risk. It's either fill and drill with hubcentric spacers and some lovely meaty tires or 18mm/20mm adapters with 205 tires and perhaps a slight fender roll. Adapters are cheaper and allow me to do a 5-lug swap later, but I can always get good 4x100 brakes and keep the simplicity of the fill and drill with easier fitment.

Side note: There's a local precision cylinder head machine shop that will do it for $125/wheel. Not the cheapest but having it local is a huge plus.

Thanks again for all the feedback. I think I'm definitely leaning back toward fill-and-drill. The extra peace of mind and flexibility is probably worth the extra cash.

Edit: Forgot to ask: What suspension/tire size are you running?

She's got an "i" lip now, I'm not a fan of side skirts or pretty much anything iS body related other than the trunk spoiler, so this is how she'll stay.

215/45 Azenis RT615K+ is what I'm running. The width of the tire is perfect on the 16x8. 225/45 would be nice too but I didn't want to roll my front fenders.

Suspension is just a stock length Ground Control setup.

IMG_2596 by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr

[TAC]

She's got an "i" lip now, I'm not a fan of side skirts or pretty much anything iS body related other than the trunk spoiler, so this is how she'll stay.

215/45 Azenis RT615K+ is what I'm running. The width of the tire is perfect on the 16x8. 225/45 would be nice too but I didn't want to roll my front fenders.

Suspension is just a stock length Ground Control setup.

IMG_2596 by Bobbie Morrone, on Flickr

Got it - very cool. Once again, appreciate all the feedback.