i found some diamond racing steelies on craigslist, the bolt pattern is right but they are et 0. will they fit an e21?

what are the rest of the specs?

they're 15x8's, 4x100 bolt pattern et0

the only thing we have found is the 195/50/15 is what you have to run and then some people still say it won't work. i have the same et0 15x8 and once i get some play money for non essential parts then i am going to try out the 195/50 tires to see if they work. if they do then thats what i am running on my car.

a guy with a yellow 320i is running 15x8 et0 on his with the 195/50 tires so that is the only reason i am going to try them on mine

right, ok, they have 195/50 ziex 512's already on...

kinda annoying to shell out 600 when theres a slight possability they wont work...

yup, if i didn't already have the wheels from when they were on my e30 i wouldn't even be considering this

They won't work properly. 195's belong on a 6" rim and will look ridiculous on there. They won't fit with a properly sized tire, or an adequatly low suspension, maybe not even at stock height.

8" et0 wheels have the inside edge in the same place as 7" et12 wheels, the extra inch in width is all on the outside of the center. You will need some custom body work to make them fit with REAL tires on them...

Why in the HELL would you put a 195 tire on an 8" wheel? It will help the clearance because the sidewalls will slope in but what's the point? No added traction, dorky slammed watercooled VW looks, more money for no gain anywhere. If you want the slammed VW look buy a golf or jetta and fit right in...

It's your car do what you like.

ken

wow, k, thanks layne!

i wont get them then, anyway, san fransisco is a bit far to go just for rims that wont fit...

i like the stretched look. it won't do any good on the track but looks sweet on lowered cars. most people with lowered cars have to run some kind of stretch to fit in the wheel well properly or they can't turn

hey, ken, yeah, its ok, im never ever going to put stretched tires on my car, ever. i hate the look, its like... "hey im too cheap to buy tires the right size for my wheel", i hate them. if i was going to get these rims, i'd put wider better hoosiers on for auto-x and do some sick body work. maybe at some point i'll costom make some wide body kits... and run 10's in the rear an 8's up front...

Sorry I came across as harsh. I've just never understood the wide wheel/narrow tire scene. I understand WHY they do it, it's all about the "big lip" and they need the clearance to make it work but if it doesn't help your car in some way I just don't understand the point... Form should follow function not fashion-if you can meet both requirements that's even better!

I will personally run 16x8 et0 wheels on my '82 with at least 225 and possibly 245 wide tires, yes-I WILL do the required body modifications to make them work correctly. Members that have been here a while know my feelings on huge tires/flares without the power to back it up... no wonder this resurrection is taking so long.

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/4825/l4335or2.th.jpg (http://img260.imageshack.us/my.php?image=l4335or2.jpg)

ken

mmm i like those wheels... be a good look for the e21

also, in some european countries, they are not allowed ot go over a certain size of tire but can run any size rim they want. this allows them to run the fat rims with huge lip but still have the factory size tire so they are meeting the requirements of the laws

does anyone know what the minimum width rim a 205 tire will fit on?

I run 205/60R13's on my stock 13x5.5 wheels. Most people tell me this is the narrowest you should go, with one or two telling me that it's too narrow.

wow, thats narrow, but not too narrow.

hmmm cuz i think i have 6 or 7 inch wide rims but i gotta check again, i want to run at least 205s and want to be sure that the tires will fit

they will
you have 15" RZ's right? same as mine, 205 will fit, actually they'll fit nicer than the 195's i have on it now, no i just have to wait till next summer to get new ones (i got my new s-drives like 400-500 miles ago) oh, an if your looking for a very very good tire, buy the s-drive, yokohama. the best tire i have ever had, including the goodyear eagle F1's, and they make my e21 stick like hell, it takes a lot to get it free now.

but 205 will be fine

hey ken, why don't you get those wheels in a 15 offset. Those are the sportmax 002's right? they come in a 15 offset in 15x8. I'm torn between 501's 15x8 et15 with a rolled and pulled fender or a set of bbs wheels. That would make them fit better and probably with just a rolled fender, or do you want et0 for a reason

also they're pretty cheap here http://www.buywheelstoday.com/search/wheels.asp

The reason is they won't fit. If you put on 15x7's et 13 you can't fit your little finger between the wheel and the rear trailing arm. Add an extra 1/2 inch there and it doesn't fit at all. I don't see how 8" rims are worth the trouble unless you have more than 250 hp.

I see, I heard that they fit but I'm glad to know that they don't. Are you planning a swap or F/I, I'm curious because I know you have some fun plans for your e21

what is FI?? im probably buying a running 83 engine with FI for 200, be nice to know what it is/does

they will
you have 15" RZ's right? same as mine, 205 will fit, actually they'll fit nicer than the 195's i have on it now, no i just have to wait till next summer to get new ones (i got my new s-drives like 400-500 miles ago) oh, an if your looking for a very very good tire, buy the s-drive, yokohama. the best tire i have ever had, including the goodyear eagle F1's, and they make my e21 stick like hell, it takes a lot to get it free now.

but 205 will be fine

i think i have knock off bbs RA's but it doesnt matter to me i like them. and i will keep those in mind. are they sticky as in soft rubber which does not last long or just a good choice of a longer lasting tire?

they should be a long lasting tire, but, i've only had them for like 500, and they're a brand new tire that came out not long ago, so im not totally sure... if you don't plan on getting them for a little while ill tell you how they last against my vigerous punishment...

haha well i have hinted at a full rim restoration and new tires for christmas, and my dad is no stranger to tires to we will see how this month ends =]

sweet, bet they'll look good :)

im pollishing the lips on mine right now (as its off the road i thought i might as well).

course having them fully resto'd you be nice

ya i would do it myself but i dont have much faith in myself haha nor do i have the time to do it but we will see i may end up doing it anyway as i get something else for xmas

what is FI?? im probably buying a running 83 engine with FI for 200, be nice to know what it is/does

sorry, the question was for layne. But FI=Forced Induction meaning a turbo or supercharger

Been traveling on business and lost track of this thread.

I thought about the et15's and in 16" they may just fit as the control arm angles inward at the front so the larger dia. wheel gains clearance. I could also grind down the control arm flange for clearance and weld a plate in place to make it strong enough. Wheel clearance is one thing but the tire shoulder would be even closer (especially with 245's) so the et0 seems to be the ticket.

Engine? 2.3L m10 with more cam, compression and new header (should make 175-200hp). If that's not enough 10psi boost ought to do the trick-should be easy 275-300hp!

Swaps? I've been thinking a lot about a LS1 into my '78. I can't believe how cheap these things are already and pretty easy to make 400hp with. Blasphemy? Sure, but just think of an aluminum v8 with 400hp in a well sorted e21... Now THAT would be a ton of fun and make all the right noises!! I've already thought of a name for it-"Track Rat".

ken

Hey Ken, have you ever done headers for the M20? Do you have some pics that you could send me, or share with the forum?

We now return you to your normally scheduled thread. Sorry for the threadjack.

The reason is they won't fit. If you put on 15x7's et 13 you can't fit your little finger between the wheel and the rear trailing arm. Add an extra 1/2 inch there and it doesn't fit at all. I don't see how 8" rims are worth the trouble unless you have more than 250 hp.

Ive got 7's and can fit my whole hand between them.

I ran 15x7 et12 and had .5" to the control arm or slightly more.

I've never had possession of a 323i to make headers for. I almost bought one several years ago but my wife threw a fit as we already had 5 cars (2 e21's).

ken