Re: to all E30 guys and Jim from Tire Rack especia (archive)

A couple days ago I asked Jim from TireRack about the spacers which I didn't get with Borbet C's 15x7 when I bought the wheels from TireRack. His answer was:
"I have the same wheels on a 1991 BMW 318IS and they fit great without a spacer. We show that the 30 mm offset works great on the E30. I run a 205/55R15 tire and they look great and handle much better than the OE. Jim"
I was told that the ET30 is wrong for e30's and I've read BMW manual which has 15x7 wheels and the offset is ET24. The stock M technic wheels for all e30's except 325iX.
So ET30 is definately the wrong offset for e30, even if it fits.
Then at about the same time someone on E30 board got the same wheels but with 10mm spacers and posted question to Jim from TR if he needs them(spacers) Here is what Jim answered:
"I have the Borbet Type C on a 1991 318IS and they work great. The spacer gives the car the correct offset for the car. The lugs should get enough turns and then torque them down. Jim"

Which statement is true? I don't think Jim has 2 318's...
Jim, I want my spacers!
Max
PS I still have the problems with the rear wheels because the bolts are too long for that offset and I can't torque them down to spec.Is that right too?

The Borbet Type C used to come in a straight 30 mm offset without a spacer but because that wheel only fit the E30 they now use the higher offset with a spacer so they can fit VW and Honda as well . That is the wheel I have on my car. The wheel currently has a 35 mm offset to begin with and now comes with a 10 mm spacer. My car has the 30 mm offset that I run with the 205/55R15. Why don't you call the Tire Rack and we can check your order to make sure you received the correct bolts for your wheels. As far as the offset being off BMW supplied the cars with a BBS OE wheel 14X6.5 with a 30mm offset. They also supplied a 15X7 wheel with a 24 mm offset. If you have the wheel that is 30 mm offset then you don't need a spacer. If you have the wheel that is 35 mm offset then it would come with the 10 mm spacer and the correct lug hardware for that wheel. Sorry about the confusion. I believe you have already sent an email to the Tire Rack on this situation, please call and we can get it resolved. It is hard to know what wheel we are dealing with if we don't have the order to look at.
Jim ext 364

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