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[nachob]

Fellow BIMMERPOSTers. I know it's not listed as an option for the E90 M3 but has anyone here ever put BBS RGR 762 which is 18x9 ET 45 in the front of an E9X M3? The competition package wheels I have are 19x9 ET 31 and I have run APEX EC7 in 18x9 ET 31 with no issues. I am really interested in a set of 18" BBS RGRs but want to keep the 9" wide front. The only thing they make is an 18x9 ET45. With a 15mm spacer, that would give me 18x9 ET 30 which would be perfect. I'm just concerned about break clearance.

Anyone ever fit these on an M3?

Thank you.

[slicer]

That would technically work but why limit yourself to a 9"? I would have to double check with BBS but I don't think that version is produced any longer. They only have 8.5 and 10 at this point. Did you find it used? The 18 x 10 et25 version is what I would choose given the options still available.

[tdott]

I'd rather run 18x10 et25 without a spacer than run 18x9 with a spacer.
Personal preference i guess.

[nachob]

Originally Posted by slicer

That would technically work but why limit yourself to a 9"? I would have to double check with BBS but I don't think that version is produced any longer. They only have 8.5 and 10 at this point. Did you find it used? The 18 x 10 et25 version is what I would choose given the options still available.

18x10 is too big in the front. I don't like the wheels sticking out past the fenders. That's why I don't like the millions of 18x9.5 ET22 offerings. I really want something with correct offsets ET 31 front and 25 rear running the correct diamter tires 245 40 18 front and 265 40 18 rear. I have experimented with spacers and the narrowers 8.5" wide RGRs in the front and don't like what happens to steering feel and weight so I want to stay with OE settings.

If they offered an RGR in 18x9.5 ET 27 and someone made a tire with the correct diameter that fit the front, I would consider that. they do make an 18x9.5 front that would work albeit with the smaller diameter and there is no 10.5" wide option for the rear, only 10" wide in 18" sizes.

They list an RG762 18x9 ET45 in the BBS Japan site, so thought it might be available still. I know looks are subjective but to me, the cars look ugly with the front wheels bulging out. The only thing BBS makes now that is close to what I want is the RIA but not really sure about the look on the 1M. The spokes are too rounded. The FI is a little flatter and looks better, so still looking. I wish they made an LM in 18" for us, but I love the classic style of the RGR. That's why I am limiting myself to close to stock offsets. What sets the 1M apart from M2s and new M3s is a bit more feedback and steering feel, I don't want to mess that up with 10-11 mm off the correct offset. I care about looks but also function.

Thanks for all your input and help. I hope that helps explain it.

[nachob]

Originally Posted by tdott

I'd rather run 18x10 et25 without a spacer than run 18x9 with a spacer.
Personal preference i guess.

Yes, I hate running spacers too but 18x10 in front looks ugly to me as you said, personal preference. These are also for a 1M and while the hubs, brakes, wheels and tires are the exact same as the M3, the fender is slightly smaller since it's a smaller car so they look even uglier on the M3...to me of course.
Thanks

[nachob]

Here are 19" RGRs I got for my car...over $4500K spent, still have brand new BBS spacers, center caps left over, just threw money away. I had to go with 8.5" wide front instead of stock 9" wide and gap didn't look good. Had to sput 10mm spacer to look decent but then steering feel got weird. Didn't like it.

18x9 ET45 with 15mm spacer would give me ET30, pretty close to stock offset.

By the way, I know this is an M3 forum but these are the same wheels and offsets and there is more activity on the M3 side. just not that many 1Ms around in case anyone is wondering why I posted here.

[slicer]

OK, I'm tracking with you better now. You must be on stock suspension. The reality is that the 10" front and/or the 9.5 et22 front wheels are designed for cars with camber. Both of those wheel specs are actually conservative and would not stick out past the fenders on a car with a more aggressive alignment. My experience is that BMW's really like at least -2 camber in the front. Even for street use. If you don't have camber plates I would consider them. At the very least pull the alignment pins on the top mounts and maximize your available camber with the stock setup (about -1.5). For example, see my pic below. My front wheel fitment actually looks conservative despite the fact that my wheels are 10 et15. This of course is due to the fact that I am running -3.5 camber.

Untitled by slicerM, on Flickr

Your comment about losing steering feel is fair. I would say that the wider the tire is in front the less lively the steering will feel. However another factor is the width of the wheel relative to the tire. Assuming a fixed front tire size - a wider wheel will provide more side-wall support for the tire and improve responsiveness. A narrower wheel will allow the tire to roll over more when under load.

[BayE30]

steering feel is a strange factor. I have 19x10 et25 with 275/30/19 on the front, and it feels lighter than when i had 19x9 et31 with 15mm spacer and 245/35/19 tire.

Also, my front wheels do not stick out, they fit perfect.

[nachob]

Originally Posted by SFCM3

steering feel is a strange factor. I have 19x10 et25 with 275/30/19 on the front, and it feels lighter than when i had 19x9 et31 with 15mm spacer and 245/35/19 tire.

Also, my front wheels do not stick out, they fit perfect.

Yes part of the problem is I went from a 9" wide to 8.5" wide and pushed it out with spacers to look right. So the change from centerline is greater in percentage than a much wider tire. The feel felt lighter for me too not as precise but then felt heavier on a large sweeper. The steering load was higher and I felt like I was pulling more Gs based on increased steering effort but I was going a little slower with more effort. I went back to stock and steering felt better weighted with slightly more resistance on center but also a little less effort during turns. I am not a geometry expert but it seems like 10mm or greater changes in offset begin to affect steering feel on center and steering effort in turns.

I guess the bottom line is I would rather take the family to Hawaii for a week then keep buying wheels the sell them at half price because something wasn't right. I have already sold two brand new (basically) sets of wheels in the last year. Trying to make a better decision then outfitting SoCal with half price brand new wheels. .

Another issue is that I have found that 18s handle better on our terrible SoCal roads. Less rear end skip etc. But everyone is into 19s and 20s for show. Yes they look better but I already have a beautiful set of ZcP 19s. The RGR and RIA are the only thing made by BBS in 18". I did also own a set of Apex ec7 in 18x9 et 31 and 18x10 et 25. They were outstanding and that's when I realized how good 18s are for the street. I bought them to autocross and put them on to try them out and loved the way the car handled. Turn in was slightly softer but the car handled better on the street. The 1M is very firm and the extra sidewall helps plant it a bit better on less than perfect roads. So that's why I want 18s. I know it's not popular here. Now if someone had a great deal on titanium fI bbs or Diamond Black/ Diamond Black 19" BBS LMs I might sacrifice some GO for SHOW.

Thank you

[slicer]

Why not get the BBS RIA? 18 x 9.5 et27 is available (which I believe you said would be appealing), plus 10.5 et25 is available for the rear. I think you are over-analyzing if you think the spoke design looks markedly different between RIA and FI. There are slight differences but it's negligible. This is coming from someone who has seen everything from BBS. I have been able to have the various options side by side. To me the RIA is the best bang for the buck.

[nachob]

Originally Posted by slicer

Why not get the BBS RIA? 18 x 9.5 et27 is available (which I believe you said would be appealing), plus 10.5 et25 is available for the rear. I think you are over-analyzing if you think the spoke design looks markedly different between RIA and FI. There are slight differences but it's negligible. This is coming from someone who has seen everything from BBS. I have been able to have the various options side by side. To me the RIA is the best bang for the buck.

Yes RIA 18x9.5 et27 is very compelling but a bit pricy for not being sure about the look. If they were perfect I would spring for those but a bit pricy again to experiment with I have never seen one in person and never seen how that size fits or clears and I would have to run smaller diameter tires which while good on NA high revving M3 not as good on lower redline turbo car.

But yes. RIA is a contender still.

[slicer]

Originally Posted by nachob

Yes RIA 18x9.5 et27 is very compelling but a bit pricy for not being sure about the look. If they were perfect I would spring for those but a bit pricy again to experiment with I have never seen one in person and never seen how that size fits or clears and I would have to run smaller diameter tires which while good on NA high revving M3 not as good on lower redline turbo car.

But yes. RIA is a contender still.

Hmmm... I would probably sacrifice a small amount of diameter to gain some extra width. The diameter difference between factory sizes and a 265/35/18, 285/35/18 is only 0.4". That's very hard to detect. Plus you gain grip with the extra tire width which offsets the negative of a reduction in rolling diameter.

RIA price is right in there with the other quality forged wheel options. A bargain compared to the $8k FI. Where in CA do you live? We have a set in stock at MRF Engineering in Lake Forest, CA. I also have a set here in Santa Barbara. Let me know if you wish to schedule a time to view them.