5.5 inch steel wheels

[Scottjeffrey]

Is there any problem using the 5.5 inch steel wheels from the 320i on our cars? Mine is a 1974 base model.

Thank You,

Scott

[John_in_VA]

Their offset places them more outboard, and with wider tires or a lowered car can cause rubbing at the fenders & quarter panels.

[Gordon]

13X5.5 E21 steel wheels should be ET18 which is the same offset as 13" 21 spoke E21 "Alpina look" wheels.  I ran the 13" 21 spoke alloy wheels for a short time on my tii with 185/70-13 with no issues.   For more info, spend some time in this thread.

https://www.bmw2002faq.com/forums/topic/142446-tires-and-wheelrims-fitment-guide/

['76mintgrün'02]

My car came with those installed, running 185/70/13 tires and I replaced them with stock '76 wheels that are 5" inches wide.

 

The e21 wheels are not only wider, but they have a wider offset, which increases the scrub radius, changing the way the steering feels.  It gets harder to turn and you get more feedback from the road with the wider offset. 

 

I used an e21 steering wheel too   and upgraded-to-stock size at the same time as the wheel change. 

 

That also made the steering  feel lighter.

 

The wider offset fills the wheel wells nicely, but you may have to roll them a bit to eliminate rubbing. 

Mine had been done by the previous owner.

 

Tom

 

 

 

[jscaptura1]

I have a set of 13x5, proper offset if you are looking for some.  They would need to be sandblasted and painted as they are a little rough.  I was getting ready to take them to the scrap yard, but if anyone is interested, they are yours, no charge.  Would much rather see them used than melted down!

[jscaptura1]

This is what they look like.  Not great but worked for me for 20+ years.