Hi, I am going to start by saying that I am popular for doing this on the vwvortex.com. My Father and I have started somewhat of a partnership business here. He is a welder/fabricator. Actually for U.S. Airways up until the 9-11 tragedy. Anyway, What we do is we widen steelies. This is super popular in the VW scene and I am trying to see if anyone with E30's ETC. will be interested in this. We have been doing 13s, 14s, 15s, and possibly 16s. The prices are 13 and 14 inch wheels $350 15 and 16 inch wheels are $450. This is just widening and sand blasting...No paint. I had widened a set for my vw rabbit that were 13x8 from a stock 13x5. looked great. pics below. We only do widened to the outside of the rim...the rim is split in half and width is added to the outside. We havnt got into offsets yet. Kinda experimenting with that.

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o299/vee81dubkid/widenedsteelieweld.jpg
http://a542.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/48/l_bec1322c0948eb20504f7bc2a8e72325.jpg
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m20/A1V-Dub/finalsteelie.jpg
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o299/vee81dubkid/widenedsteelies2.jpg

What measures are taken to insure accuracy?

Is that safe though?

Good idea i guess but who would want to spend that much on steelies? That makes no sense, no offense.

No offense taken...we have sold alot of these to VW enthusiasts and more are being sold every week just about. http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3192917
this is my vortex link.
The The wheel is marked and cut straight in the middle and then there is a piece cut with a CNC machine to whatever width will be added. It is then fitted and tacked up.:lol
I am going to be making a set for my E30 shortly as soon as i can find some good steel wheels with a good offset. I am trying to find some steel spares that would work. Let me know if you know where i can get some of those:)

Is that safe though?

This has gone back and fourth throughout the vortex as well. I had them on my rabbit with a 175/50 tire that was stretched, drove it in PA with crappy roads and had no problems. One person who bought a set also has streched tires and drives in PA his username on vortex is "flatblack" he drive a mark III jetta and will most likely be at H2Oi for those of you going.

AM Bump.

How much if we provide you with the wheels? I have 15" E36 fitment steelies.

you providing the wheels it would be $450 for 15s plus shipping

Just FYI the 1991 E30 318i 4 door came with steelies from the factory.

Thanks, That will help me find a set for mine.:buttrock

how much heavier do they get ? I realize the answer depends on how wide one decides to widen the wheel but for the sake of conversation, how much heavier did your 13's get when they went to 8 inches wide ? I suspect 2002 & 320i wheels would look neat with widened stock steel wheels but these cars would be considerably slower (and they are not fast to begin with - relatively speaking) ... your welds look decent and I am sure you wouldnt do this if you couldnt ensure the finished product is "true" to spec but the added weight is a concern worth discussing ... and by the way, your Rabit (for what it is) looks like it benefited a lot from the widened steelies from an "aesthetic" standpoint - nice work

I love the look...and would want them for my e30,..... very old school, Alpina looking....but its just too much money. They should be lke 75-80 each...at the most. Stockton wheel does this as well.....and they offer painted for addtl costs of course. Perhaps you could offer some "intro" pricing on the board........