Subject: Mine do have spacers, but I didn't put them on... Author: bcweir as bcweir750 : member since January, 2006 : 4822 posts Posted on: 2008-09-03 11:35:04

The wheels came with the car. I've heard different reports about whether or not they're necessary, but I prefer keeping them on. I think mine are 4mm thick. From what I have heard, the E38 wheels typically fit the rears without modification, provided you don't go nuts with your tire size. However there have been reports of the tires rubbing against the front suspension with some E38 wheels and tire sizes.

Mine are 225/55/16's on all four wheels with spacers. I have run this setup since I got the car and I have no rubbing or interference problem.

In the spacers vs. no spacers debate, I'm definitely pro-spacer for two reasons:

1) Provided you don't go crazy with the tire sizes, the spacers help prevent interference with your suspension. You don't want the tires hitting your shocks or springs.

2) By pushing the wheels out slightly towards the outer corners of the car, IMHO, the spacers help handling and stability by slightly increasing the car's track width (the space between the right and left tires). It's not a huge increase over stock, but with cars this size, I think every little bit helps.

• Look at this Dirty girl (pic) - whitewidow21 2008-09-02 16:25:54 (311 views)
  • Re: Look at this Dirty girl - ttrm007 2008-09-03 00:01:04 (66 views)
  • that car was owned by Ben (BMWBig6) (pic) (url) - shogun 2008-09-02 16:46:08 (190 views)
    • Cheers Shogun! - bmwbig6 2008-10-08 08:44:48 (28 views)
    • Wow, that's great work - erwin 2008-09-02 19:08:38 (60 views)
    • e32 w 18' M Pars? wouldnt that make the car... - 92735i 2008-09-02 17:58:00 (70 views)
      • 18's are the absolute biggest wheel I would ever put on an E32... - bcweir750 2008-09-02 18:25:00 (63 views)
        • I agree. (pic) - cspargo 2008-09-02 21:52:36 (149 views)
          • Re: I agree. - paulmer 2008-09-03 02:24:31 (49 views)
          • I love my 16 inch E38 basketweaves! - bcweir750 2008-09-02 22:01:00 (69 views)
            • are those a direct fitment? or did you need spacers? (nt) - 92735i 2008-09-03 10:40:10 (44 views)
              • Mine do have spacers, but I didn't put them on... - bcweir750 2008-09-03 11:35:04 (62 views)
            • Re: I love my 16 inch E38 basketweaves! - whitewidow21 2008-09-03 00:07:37 (67 views)
              • If you go to tirerack.com, you can compare specs between tires, including noise. - bcweir750 2008-09-03 11:47:22 (52 views)
              • 18' MPars.. - nevector 2008-09-03 00:27:59 (48 views)
    • Love that colour :) (pic) - eliasazem 2008-09-02 16:51:34 (165 views)
      • Re: Love that colour :) - bk62 2008-09-06 08:11:51 (50 views)
      • Re: Love that colour :) (pic) - ttrm007 2008-09-02 23:58:42 (114 views)
        • Salmon Silver (pic) - MikeS '90 750iL 2008-09-03 15:18:51 (95 views)
        • STERLINGSILBER METALLIC (nt) - eliasazem 2008-09-03 06:34:45 (59 views)
          • Re: STERLINGSILBER METALLIC - windhund 2008-09-03 06:51:53 (63 views)