Why the heck does BMW use wheel bolts? - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

T Bone · 04-29-2008, 05:13 PM

Instead of wheel studs and lug nuts like Porsche?

HRC · 04-29-2008, 05:39 PM

I dunno, but it doesn't bother me at all. It does take a little more effort, but its no big deal for me.

BTW, Toyota, Honda, Kia, Hyundai, Mazda, Subaru, Nissans along with Porsche use lug nuts.

Danny

T Bone · 04-29-2008, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HRC

I dunno, but it doesn't bother me at all. It does take a little more effort, but its no big deal for me.

BTW, Toyota, Honda, Kia, Hyundai, Mazda, Subaru, Nissans along with Porsche use lug nuts.

Danny

Also BMW uses tapered seats instead of ball seating..... Stupid.

HRC · 04-29-2008, 05:50 PM

Hmmm, I have always had aftermarket wheels that require tapered seats as opposed to most OEM ball seats, so again, nothing new to me.

Danny

CirrusSR22 · 04-29-2008, 06:38 PM

Using the factory mounting pin/tool help tremendously with mounting BMW wheels.

ExclusiveAlloysE90 · 04-29-2008, 07:27 PM

The current generation Porche's use lug bolts once again. The only time its really a hassle is when changing wheels because you have to line up the holes on your wheels to your hub. However, you still have to do some work to line up the holes on a wheel with studs as well. The only real benefit one has over the other is that you can let the wheel hang freely on the studs when looking for your lug nuts where as with our hubs or other european cars, you have to put in a couple lug bolts to hold the wheel in place. Just out of curiosity, what is your reasoning for starting this thread?

T Bone · 04-29-2008, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExclusiveAlloysE90

The current generation Porche's use lug bolts once again. The only time its really a hassle is when changing wheels because you have to line up the holes on your wheels to your hub. However, you still have to do some work to line up the holes on a wheel with studs as well. The only real benefit one has over the other is that you can let the wheel hang freely on the studs when looking for your lug nuts where as with our hubs or other european cars, you have to put in a couple lug bolts to hold the wheel in place. Just out of curiosity, what is your reasoning for starting this thread?

I have been trying different wheels. As a guy who has had 2 seperate wheels fall off his car (once at the track and once on the road), both using bolts with tapered threads, I don't like bolts. As a result, I installed longer studs on my cars and while I never had problems with the studded cars, they make me feel safer.

Don't ask about why my wheels fell off, twice...2 totally different reasons, one my fault.

ExclusiveAlloysE90 · 04-29-2008, 07:40 PM

Thats a totally valid concern. But for the most part lug bolts are totally safe as long as you use the proper bolt style (ball or cone seated) along with the proper thread length. Too bad their are some people who forget to tighten their lug nuts as well. There are plenty of videos on youtube of people at various race events across the country who have had their wheels fall off because either they forgot to tighten them.

fanatic · 04-29-2008, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T Bone

As a result, I installed longer studs on my cars and while I never had problems with the studded cars, they make me feel safer.

Also misleading in terms of false sense of security. I've seen wheels fall off an Mazda RX-7 and Honda Civics!

If you don't use the equipment as they are intended/designed, nothing can help you.

T Bone · 04-29-2008, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fanatic

Also misleading in terms of false sense of security. I've seen wheels fall off an Mazda RX-7 and Honda Civics!

If you don't use the equipment as they are intended/designed, nothing can help you.

I agree all wheels need to be torqued down properly but with longer studs, you have more of a chance to pull over if you feel some vibration. Bolts, vibrates and then shears off....very quickly. I know from personal experience.

justin_bmw · 04-29-2008, 10:46 PM

man i dont want to be thinkin of that when im driving thru the mountains

04-29-2008, 05:13 PM	#1
T Bone Brigadier General Drives: 2008 335xi Coupe Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The land where we kill baby seals Posts: 4,021 iTrader: (0)	Why the heck does BMW use wheel bolts? Instead of wheel studs and lug nuts like Porsche? __________________ "Aerodynamics are for people who cannot build engines"......Enzo Ferrari
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04-29-2008, 05:39 PM	#2
HRC MAUI BUILT Drives: 2006 330i MT Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NORCAL Posts: 7,780 iTrader: (10) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	I dunno, but it doesn't bother me at all. It does take a little more effort, but its no big deal for me. BTW, Toyota, Honda, Kia, Hyundai, Mazda, Subaru, Nissans along with Porsche use lug nuts. Danny __________________ Arctic/Blk Leather/Alum.Trim/MT/ZSP/Sunshades/Blk Lines/M3 Illuminated Knob/Alcantara Performance Wheel/M-E-Brake Handle/Euro Fog Switch/Koni Yellows/H&R Sport Springs/19" VMR V718's w/PS2 Tires/M-Tech Body Kit/Carbon Fiber Spoiler/Bimmian Interior Bulbs/OEM Eye Glass Tray/SSK/Alcantara Boot/Split Armrest/OEM Dual Rear Power Outlets/Rear Ashtray Delete/OEM Alum. Pedals/Osram 6000K/Brex Rings/LED Side Markers/BMS Power Box

04-29-2008, 05:50 PM	#4
HRC MAUI BUILT Drives: 2006 330i MT Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NORCAL Posts: 7,780 iTrader: (10) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Hmmm, I have always had aftermarket wheels that require tapered seats as opposed to most OEM ball seats, so again, nothing new to me. Danny __________________ Arctic/Blk Leather/Alum.Trim/MT/ZSP/Sunshades/Blk Lines/M3 Illuminated Knob/Alcantara Performance Wheel/M-E-Brake Handle/Euro Fog Switch/Koni Yellows/H&R Sport Springs/19" VMR V718's w/PS2 Tires/M-Tech Body Kit/Carbon Fiber Spoiler/Bimmian Interior Bulbs/OEM Eye Glass Tray/SSK/Alcantara Boot/Split Armrest/OEM Dual Rear Power Outlets/Rear Ashtray Delete/OEM Alum. Pedals/Osram 6000K/Brex Rings/LED Side Markers/BMS Power Box

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04-29-2008, 06:38 PM	#5
CirrusSR22 Captain Drives: E36 318ti, E46 323it Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 736 iTrader: (0)	Using the factory mounting pin/tool help tremendously with mounting BMW wheels.

04-29-2008, 07:27 PM	#6
ExclusiveAlloysE90 Private First Class Drives: Bee M Double U 335i 4dr Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Baldwin Park, CA Posts: 150 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 335i Sedan [0.00]	The current generation Porche's use lug bolts once again. The only time its really a hassle is when changing wheels because you have to line up the holes on your wheels to your hub. However, you still have to do some work to line up the holes on a wheel with studs as well. The only real benefit one has over the other is that you can let the wheel hang freely on the studs when looking for your lug nuts where as with our hubs or other european cars, you have to put in a couple lug bolts to hold the wheel in place. Just out of curiosity, what is your reasoning for starting this thread?

04-29-2008, 07:40 PM	#8
ExclusiveAlloysE90 Private First Class Drives: Bee M Double U 335i 4dr Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Baldwin Park, CA Posts: 150 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 335i Sedan [0.00]	Thats a totally valid concern. But for the most part lug bolts are totally safe as long as you use the proper bolt style (ball or cone seated) along with the proper thread length. Too bad their are some people who forget to tighten their lug nuts as well. There are plenty of videos on youtube of people at various race events across the country who have had their wheels fall off because either they forgot to tighten them.

04-29-2008, 10:46 PM	#11
justin_bmw Second Lieutenant Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: May 2005 Location: canada Posts: 239 iTrader: (1)	man i dont want to be thinkin of that when im driving thru the mountains