[TO_Bimmer]

Just picked up my AW 335i. Love the car.
From reading this forum, I decided to purchase winter tires from Tirerack. The ASA AR1 18X8 (offset 40) and Dunlop 3D (225-40-18) was just delivered to me Dec 14, 2007. I immediately put them on.

Dilemma ......
1. I hate the way the rear wheels looks. Very tucked in with 40 offset. I ask Gary what the return policy was, and he said I have to pay for shipping.......so, would any one be interested in buying this winter setup from me. I paid $1824...(You can confirm with Gary at Tirerack).
Willing to sell for $1700.

2. My other option is to put on spacer.....What are the drawback with using spacer...Thinking of 10 mm or 15 mm spacer. And do I need to buy longer wheel nuts.

Thanks in advance for any suggestion. I will post pics tomorrow.

[J.]

You should use a spacer. Although you just recently bought your tire+wheel combo, selling it right now is maybe not a good idea.. besides, I dont think there is going to be much intrest for 1700.

http://www.rogueengineering.com

They'll have the spacers + bolts that you are looking for. No duties either..

[who's ur daddy?]

i don't think there is anything wrong with spacers for winter set ups. high stress applications like track duty - maybe not - but regular daily use I think would be fine.

[TO_Bimmer]

Thanks guys for relpying so quickly.

I looked at the RE spacer. Wow, Pretty Pricy. Maybe I should buy the same ASA AR1 with 35 offset for the back wheels. Wish I read about wheels and offset on this forum earlier, then this will not happen.

I am just disappointed that Tirerack (Gary) with sell me these wheel with 40mm offset for this car (especially in a 18X8 setup fpr the back) This whole experience just ruin the whole excitment of driving my car. Been in the garage for the whole week waiting the the winter combine and then when they arrive on yesterday I was so disappointed. Oh well, lesson learned. Know what you are buying before purchasing, even from a reputable name.
As for the price I want for the brand new set, they have never been driven on. Willing to delivery to anyone in the Toronto area.

As promised, some pics of y new car and tires.
Oppps....How do you post pics on this forum. When I do insert image, it ask for my url????

[benyl]

Go with the spacer and not with the different offset.

Here is why:

You are driving a car with 300hp. Winter tires are VERY soft. When you are using winters on dry pavement, 300hp eats them up like they are nothing. You will want to rotate them quite often (like once every 2 months) depending on how much you drive and how hard you drive.

If you get the different offset, you have get them remounted and will cost more than the spacers in the long run.

Calgary gets some crazy snow sometimes, but most of the winter, we are driving on dry roads. Dry roads like to chew winter tires on performance cars.

[sandecker]

I'm just looking to buy those tires only (M3s) so probably can't help you there unfortunately.

On that note thou, can any 'tire experts' out there tell me if 225/45-18" will work OK on the 18" stock rims for 335i? Looks like tirerack sold out of 225-40-18" - just a little taller sidewall right?

[Jaws]

Originally Posted by TO_Bimmer

I am just disappointed that Tirerack (Gary) with sell me these wheel with 40mm offset for this car (especially in a 18X8 setup fpr the back) This whole experience just ruin the whole excitment of driving my car.

I'm lost as to how this is Gary/TR's fault. The rims fit. Period. Like the rims themselves, the look (tucked vs out) is a matter of personal opinion. I, myself, prefer a higher offset in winter rims b/c the shit thrown up from the tires tends to stay in the fenders as opposed to get sprayed down the side of the car.

[Jaws]

Originally Posted by sandecker

I'm just looking to buy those tires only (M3s) so probably can't help you there unfortunately.

On that note thou, can any 'tire experts' out there tell me if 225/45-18" will work OK on the 18" stock rims for 335i? Looks like tirerack sold out of 225-40-18" - just a little taller sidewall right?

Yup. Check out the tire size calculator to see the effect of the taller sidewall on speedo, etc.

[electricmba]

I don't understand why you're hating on the Tire Rack - you ordered a rim/tire combo, received them, drove on them, and they are willing to accept them as a return. Do you actually think they owe you return shipping? If they sent you the incorrect order, then absolutely, but they didn't...I think they are being very fair with you, and believe me, I'm the first one to call foul on a vendor with poor customer service.

[TO_Bimmer]

Thanks Jaws for your input and all others.
You are right. The wheels......
For me, I like to keep the wheel the same as the OEM (Offset 34mm).
As the 40mm offset makes the wheel look like spare tire as they are tuck in.
I am not here to stir up anything......I am writing this posting to let others newbie know that wheel offset is very important.

1. For the appearance.
2. Not sure if it effects anything - but could through of DSC, as the stand between the two wheel's center point is narrower. (in my case; 6mm less on right and left, so will be 12 mm narrawer overall)

I have to end with this. Purchasing the wheel/tire from Tirerack was very easy and fast. No complain there. Just wish I was better informed with the outcome. Like a said. Lesson learned.

I been reading a lot of posting on this forum and find it very helpful.....
A lot of great info and tips from other users.

[Jaws]

^ No effect on the DSC. The rear rims can be anything from 7 to 10" wide on an E90.

[fanatic]

Look into H&R spacers if the RE are too expensive. You can't go wrong with H&R. Kits come with the extended bolts as well.

Like everyone else has stated, do your homework first before you buy. Assuming that you did a factory order, you had 2-3 months to do all the research.

GL on whatever you decide.

[TO_Bimmer]

Thanks for all the suggestions and advices. I will look into the H&R spacer. As for my car, I did do a factory order. I did not research on snow tire before hand because I was going to get a set from my friend old BMW (snow tire from his 3 series). It turn out that his 17" did not fit. So I had to sramble to get a set asap (plus the early snow in Toronoto did not help)

For all newbie....please listen to Fanatic's advice
"do your homework first before you buy" - especially the correct offset for your car)

[homydevil]

try e-bay for spacers dudes... just 15$ or less + shipping offcoarse
but this way you can get 7,12 and 30 mm's still cheaper
if need longer bolts.... still try ebay cant go wrong for the price!

[Soni]

alert on people who is looking for spacer....spacers with aftermarket wheels might give you vibration...you need a center rings to have the wheel center to get rid of the vibration and plastic rings are not easy to find.

[scooby9]

I got some 15mm Rogue Engineering spacers for my winter rims and the rear looks much better! No problems so far for the past month.

[TO_Bimmer]

Hi Soni. Thanks for the warning.
I decide to take Fanatic advise and look at the H&R spacer (less expensive than the RE). Probably go with 10mm.

[who's ur daddy?]

Originally Posted by Soni

alert on people who is looking for spacer....spacers with aftermarket wheels might give you vibration...you need a center rings to have the wheel center to get rid of the vibration and plastic rings are not easy to find.

You only need a ring if the wheel centre bore is larger than the hub on which you are going to mount the wheel. If you get a wheel that is designed specifically for the BMW with 5x120 bolt and the correct centre bore, you don't need the plastic rings.

My SSR wheels I bought were a perfect fit. For my mom's TL, the BSA rims required a plastic ring to mount onto the hub.

Soni, PM me your e-mail addy. Going to EMT the money for the 5mm spacer!

[Soni]

Originally Posted by who's ur daddy?

You only need a ring if the wheel centre bore is larger than the hub on which you are going to mount the wheel. If you get a wheel that is designed specifically for the BMW with 5x120 bolt and the correct centre bore, you don't need the plastic rings.

My SSR wheels I bought were a perfect fit. For my mom's TL, the BSA rims required a plastic ring to mount onto the hub.

Soni, PM me your e-mail addy. Going to EMT the money for the 5mm spacer!

Did you pick up the spacer already?? PM sent!!

[JayML]

its a winter tire. for the snow. and the slush and the salt.

relax. no one looks good in winter. your supposed to go with a skinny tire in winter.

i understand wanting to look good to an extent but your going overboard.

just drive on them and in a few months you can take them off

you should see my friends m3 in the winter, the rears are embarrassing. he doesnt care though, and neither should you, its winter

[TO_Bimmer]

Soni. I have not purchase the spacer yet. I am Looking locally (Toronto), do you know of a good shop. I am in no rush. No more online purchase for me. Also, what does PM mean?

As for Slapmyfro's comment. I understand its winter tire. That is why I when with 225-40-18 and not 255 in the rear. But if I knew about offset, I would have purchased wheels around 34 offset (30, 32 or 35mm) so that it fits and looks right, oppose to just fitting. I guess this is why wheels are made with different offset.
My current wheels have 40mm offset, hence it is tucked inward by more then12mm
1. OEM is 34mm, so 6mm tucked inward
2. The width is only 8 not 8.5, so I am lossing another 6 mm

You are right thought, its only for 3 months........I am just fustracted at myself. Should have research and read up on offset. I could have purchase wheels with less offset and not have to deal with getting spacer. That extra money and time wasted.

[Soni]

Originally Posted by TO_Bimmer

Soni. I have not purchase the spacer yet. I am Looking locally (Toronto), do you know of a good shop. I am in no rush. No more online purchase for me. Also, what does PM mean?

PM = Private Message

I was replying who's ur daddy. He is picking up my 5mm spacers.