'85 E24. Has two different types of standard BMW wheels on it now. I want to replace them, not only because they look a bit strange, but I want the car to use a more standard tire. How do I figure out what I can buy for this machine. I've heard alot about offsets, etc., but don't know what is required for mine. I was looking at a set for a '01 740, that looked good, but will they fit the car. Without having the exact spec, I've come to the conclusion that the bolt pattern is 5x120, which should be easy enough to find. In fact, I've heard that most BMW five bolt wheels are 5x120, does that mean I can use most any 5 bolt wheel from a BMW?

Advice please, Thanks.

I think the offset is 20 mm. It is 5x120 bolt hole pattern, which is pretty standard on 5 lug BMWs. The offset is what will vary. I have 16 inch wheels on mine, with 225 50 16 tires. I bought them from Tire Rack, I think. I would get 17s if I were to do it again.

The offset is the key- much over 20mm and you're in danger of rubbing the front spring perch - which is bad.

my current wheels (16" m5 replica's) are 15mm offset and will rub during hard cornering - but never enough to damage the tire.. that would be a bad thing.

Also - newer rims will require "hubcentric rings" newer BMW's have Hub size of like 74.3 mm and our older cars something like 72.4 (WAG's there on exact sizes but not far off) so newer rims will need a set of hubcentrics set into them to fir the hub -

I suggest Machined Aluminum for hubcentrics - lightweight - affordable; strong - Munichsport has them -

I tried a set of 16" e38 (740) wheels on my car; they are 23mm offset and require either a 215-width tire or spacers up front to keep from rubbing the strut tubes. I ended up buying a brand-new set of 15" TSWs with tires off cheapwheels.com; they are 15mm offset and work great.