willis 0 Report post Posted October 13, 2006 (edited) Hi, I've recently bought an NZ-new E39 528i that has standard 20-spoke alloys (style-33 in the OEM brochure posted elsewhere on this site), the ones that look a bit... flowery. I'm interested in replacing them with some other BMW alloys, such as the M5-style. The first picture attached is my car with the current wheels, the other pictures are examples of what I would like on it. Does anybody know where I can find some second-hand rims for sale? I've searched the NZ internet pages as best I could, and visited the local BWM-specialist wreckers (I'm in Wellington) but no luck. I don't want to fork out lots of $$$ for new rims, but a nice set of used ones might just do the job. Are there any NZ websites I can check? Maybe the local BMW club can help, but I thought I would check here first. Cheers. Edited October 13, 2006 by willis Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
E30stz 0 Report post Posted October 13, 2006 (edited) oh dear - please tell me that wasnt bought from Newport Imports ? that first pic look suspiciously like their typical foto. Back on topic - mag and turbo sell ruotecompany mags which they are replica's in bmw style but generally you might find hte quality could be shocking being replica's They pop up on trademe from time to time.. keep an eye out. Edited October 13, 2006 by E30stz Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martyyn 2 Report post Posted October 13, 2006 Crickey Andy youve gone and put the sh!ts right up him now !! As for the wheels Trademe will always be your best bet. There are a couple of sets available now, but none like you have posted. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
318Touring 40 Report post Posted October 13, 2006 (edited) willis, if you are going ahead on replacing your current wheels, I'd be interested in getting the tyres of you. Assuming they are Continental? PM me. BTW I'm also in Welly Edited October 13, 2006 by 318Touring Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotwire 352 Report post Posted October 13, 2006 Hi, Second pic is the go - I have a set of BBS shadow chrome 18"s with 235/ 40 /18 rubber the same as those on my E39 - makes the car look staunch - silver car as well. Still maintains the same overall diameter as original factory wheels. Bought them on TM - were as new - wheels & rubber had done about 1000kms, for about 1/2 cost of new. Be aware that E38 & E39 have the same offset rim so off either is good, - E38 does have higher profile tyre though. TM still probably the cheapest place to buy as they come up. Personally after having fitted 18" I wouldn't go to 17"s on them. Cheers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwi535 538 Report post Posted October 13, 2006 the e 39 has a peculiar hub diameter.Just abut every 5,6,7 and 8 series has a 72 .4 mm hub dia for some reason the e 39 has 74.1.,so e38 and e 39 wheels may not be intercahngeable(at least for the e39).I have a set of wheels(aftermarket) on my e 34 (with the 74 hub dia) which i will be selling soon.They are not perfect . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martyyn 2 Report post Posted October 13, 2006 Be aware that E38 & E39 have the same offset rim so off either is good, - E38 does have higher profile tyre though. Personally after having fitted 18" I wouldn't go to 17"s on them. Offset is not the problem its the hub diameter as Paul has said. The e39 has a 74mm hub and the e38 has a 72mm hub (give or take the odd mm I cant remember the exact sizes)If you want e38 wheels on your e39 then you will need to use hub-centric rings so you dont end up wobbling at 55 mph. The tyre profile should be no problem as that will obviously change if you go to a bigger wheel. Personally I think 18's make a huge difference to an e39, both in style and handling, and I wouldnt bother with 17's Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotwire 352 Report post Posted October 13, 2006 Offset is not the problem its the hub diameter as Paul has said. The e39 has a 74mm hub and the e38 has a 72mm hub (give or take the odd mm I cant remember the exact sizes) If you want e38 wheels on your e39 then you will need to use hub-centric rings so you dont end up wobbling at 55 mph. The tyre profile should be no problem as that will obviously change if you go to a bigger wheel. Personally I think 18's make a huge difference to an e39, both in style and handling, and I wouldnt bother with 17's OK guys, Stand corrected on that one, From memory the previous owner had had these wheels fitted to an E32, presumably they had been correct for that car, Do know they bolt up perfectly in line on my E39 & definitely aint got no wobble at 55mph. Certainly agree with Martyyn on the style/handling re 18" - made for the car!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
willis 0 Report post Posted October 18, 2006 (edited) Hello all, thanks for your replies. I appreciate your advice. My car has the standard 16" rims on it. What sort of changes to the ride/handling compromise are there gonig from 16" to 17", and from 16" to 18"? e30stz: "oh dear - please tell me that wasnt bought from Newport Imports ? that first pic look suspiciously like their typical foto. " Err...yes I did buy it from Newports...why? I found them quite good to deal with. 318Touring: "PM me" I don't know what "PM" means but anyway, sorry the tyres are not Continentals but are a brand that a discerning owner such as yourself would not be interested in :-) Edited October 18, 2006 by willis Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotwire 352 Report post Posted October 19, 2006 Hello all, thanks for your replies. I appreciate your advice. My car has the standard 16" rims on it. What sort of changes to the ride/handling compromise are there gonig from 16" to 17", and from 16" to 18"? e30stz: "oh dear - please tell me that wasnt bought from Newport Imports ? that first pic look suspiciously like their typical foto. " Err...yes I did buy it from Newports...why? I found them quite good to deal with. 318Touring: "PM me" I don't know what "PM" means but anyway, sorry the tyres are not Continentals but are a brand that a discerning owner such as yourself would not be interested in :-) Mine had factory 15"s on it,( & looked crap) was going to go to 17 but 18's became available for the "right price" & although reluctant at first- thinking I would compromise ride too much, I figured that BMW factory fitted 18's to the M5 so took a punt & now would not go back. Ride comfort hardly compromised but is certainly firmer & more precise. Tyre noise VERY minimally increased - hardly noticeable. Have to say though - tyre wear is crap in comparison to the original rubber due to being softer compound. As said previously the E39 is not in standard form a real "handler" but is still very capable & certainly enhanced with bigger alloys & less profile rubber Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
318Touring 40 Report post Posted October 19, 2006 Willis, PM is private messaging which you'll use by clicking the PM button at the left frame of the messages. OK re the tyre, I'm searching high and low trying to match one tyre to the rest. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
