BMW / Merc / VW alloys [rims] on M3?

[BrianScott1980]

Looking to order my m3 after test drives today. Loved the car. Settled on blue. The one thing I was disappointed with was the 19” alloys. Thought they were very average looking in real life.

Is it possible to fit other manufacturer alloys? For instance the VW Rosario alloys would suit the car, looking like the performance alloys, fit fraction of price.

If not I think I’ll have the 19”s satin grey powder coated.

Thanks.

 

[Candleflame]

the new 19" tires look disappointing. The 19" tires from the pre refresh look amazing and are essentially the same as the 20" tires but you get more puncture resistance and better range. Maybe try to get some second hand pre refresh 19" ones?

 

[Dolemite]

It’s impossible to answer this question without knowing specifically what you’re trying to do.

 

[EmOne]

Looking to order my m3 after test drives today. Loved the car. Settled on blue. The one thing I was disappointed with was the 19” alloys. Thought they were very average looking in real life.

Is it possible to fit other manufacturer alloys? For instance the VW Rosario alloys would suit the car, looking like the performance alloys, fit fraction of price.

If not I think I’ll have the 19”s satin grey powder coated.

Thanks.

For the most part, no; unusual hub size, bolt pattern. One that fits with a centering ring is the 18" Apex EC-7 aimed at Mustang...

 

[BrianScott1980]

For the most part, no; unusual hub size, bolt pattern. One that fits with a centering ring is the 18" Apex EC-7 aimed at Mustang...

I spent the evening going through the options. There are several after market alloys that fit but with ring adaptors. I’m not keen on anything that isn’t 100% matching. Most options that look suitable are US based with heavy delivery / export fees.

I might just bite the bullet and order the 19” and get them powder coated to make them look better. The other option is to go with the 18” Aeros and remove the fascia. I just feel they look too small for the car.

 

[SageBrush]

There are several after market alloys that fit but with ring adaptors. I’m not keen

Why ? Is yours a practical or religious objection ?

 

[BrianScott1980]

Why ? Is yours a practical or religious objection ?

Insurance / safety

 

[HaroldC]

There are several after market alloys that fit but with ring adaptors. I’m not keen on anything that isn’t 100% matching.

There's nothing inherently incorrect or technically flawed about using wheels with ring adapters. BBS forges centers in specific bolt patterns but uses ring adapters to fit the wheels to specific car model. I have never heard of an issue with any wheel that used a ring adapter to fit the wheel to a specific application.

I have a set of 20" BBS LMs left over from my E90 M3 that I wish I could use on my Model 3. Unfortunately, the bolt pattern is 5X120 and I would need to run an adapter to convert to 5x114.3. The adapter is not the issue, the low offset of the LMs wouldn't match the high offset of the Model 3 and the wheels would be pushed beyond the fenders. Yes, I could re-drill the bolt pattern to 5x114.3, but I do not want to impact the structural integrity of the wheel that way.

You can probably find other wheels with a 5x114.3 and higher offset that uses center bore rings to fit the Model 3.