NEED ADVICE ASAP

[96.328i]

Hi guys, sorry for the urgent call for help.

I am working with limited time here. Will M contours staggered (17/7.5 and17/8.5) fit my 1996 e36 328i convertible? Im only really worried about the width in the back.

Also, is 900 reasonable for them? I was planning on offering 750.


thanks,

Andrew

[RacerJames666]

why hells yeah they'll fit!
900 for a full set?
With rubber?
If they're in good shape, id say its not a bad deal!

[96.328i]

haha James to the rescue once again!
They seem to be in great shape from what i've seen in pictures.... hopefully i'll be able to see them in person tonight or tomorrow. They are with rubber, but he says they will only do me a summer... which is fine by me.

Just curious... any way i can tell if these are replicas or not? he says the are OEM.

[96.328i]

ONE MORE QUICK QUESTION!
I was just talking to the owner of the wheels, and i am convinced they are legit. He actually had 2 sets of contours (bought 2 sets so he could have 8.5s all around) but his son took off the rims to put on some racing dynamics wheels. so he had 2 sets of contours. he sold one set last year, and now is wanting to sell this set. He said he has 5 rims for me to choose from (i assume only 2 are 8.5s) but that got me thinking. That other rim was probably the spare from the original set. Would that spare fit in the spare wheel well of my convertible? My current rims are 16s so Im guessing my current spare would be useless? also, if i have a contour as my spare does it matter if its a 7.5? like could i put that on in place of a rear 8.5 till i got it fixed? really what im wondering if it is worth getting the 5th wheel as well. please help me!


Andrew

[RacerJames666]

Use the front one(7.5) as the spare, if the wide one went on the front, you might rub/kiss your fender goodbye
EDIT: The wheelwell is the same for all e36, but now i wonder about the convert. The bigger one should fit tho. the 16" stocker prolly had bigger aspect ratio on the rubber, so the 17" should be close to overall diameter

[96.328i]

So... could I use my current 16 inch spare if i get a flat?

[RacerJames666]

Break out the tape measure and have a measurin' session id say! Youd probably be ok but for SHORT distances. Make sure the overall diameter is the same, as I hear even BMW diffs dont like mismached rear tires...kinda like how an awd subaru must have all 4 tires changed at once so the diff system wont get fubar'd

[96.328i]

Ok, good to know. I think i am going to try and get the 5th contour as well just to have a full set. Cant hurt. Im guessing it will be a 7.5. Think I will be able to get him to throw that extra wheel in for free?

I will try to throw up some pics once I get them installed (providing they pass my inspection tonight)

[alpmaster]

They're OEM if they have a little cap under the center cap with the ///M logo on it, if it's not there, they're replicas.

[96.328i]

PURCHASED
got 5 rims for 950. 4 are immaculate and 1 has some serious curb rash on the inside of the rim (that one will be my spare )

They are definitely real. If a guy has a 911 turbo and a lotus sitting in his garage next to the rims... i'm betting he paid for oem haha

BUT
I just rolled "the spare" up next to my current rear tires.... and it seems to be taller :S
i thought they were supposed to be the same diameter over all?? im really worried these wont fit now on my vert! Dunlop tires 225/45/17 front, 245/40/17 rear is what is on the rims. Will this fit? why is it it seems like its a taller wheel overall??

[bimmerdude27]

I'm pretty sure you have 16" rims on your vert, those rims are 17".

Do they have the little ///M logo cap under the center caps?

[96.328i]

Yes they have the ///M logo under the caps. I know I have 16 inch rims on right now... but i thought the overall diameter of the wheel was supposed to stay the same regardless of the size of the rim (would be compensated by height of the tire). thats just what i understood... im supposed to get these put on tomorrow... so hopefully there isnt any issues :S

[RacerJames666]

That is the proper tire size for 96+ M3 wheels & they fit on -96 e36, I'd say you'll be fine, but if you not sure mount em up(roll em with the car on stands first) and go for a quick cruise and listen carefully for any tire noise (exp over bumps, full turn etc).
You're gonna really like what you feel

[96.328i]

They are on and the fit PERFECT

no rub anywhere at all. Im so pumped!