Fitted 20" Alpina rims on my 550 m-sport
07-22-2010 | 01:41 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Contributors
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,186
Likes: 2
From: UK
My Ride: Jan 2006 E63 650i Sport
.
Options:
Sport version (includes: sport-seats, sport-suspension, M-Sport steering wheel, Anthracite headliner, Shaddow Line), Saphire Black, Black Dakota Leather, Anthracite Maple Wood trim, Steptronic Auto, Xenons, NAV-Professional with Voice Control, TV, CD-Changer, Bluetooth, Logic7, Head-up Display, Comfort Access, Seat Heating front, Auto Dimming & Folding Mirrors, Extended Auto Air Conditioning, PDC.
.
Mods:
Spacers 5mm front & 15mm rear
.
Wheels:
20" Alpina Softline (Classic) with Dunlop Sport Maxx non-RFT (255/35/20 & 285/30/20)
I was trying to keep it all OEM on the outside, but was struggling to get OEM 20" rims for sensible money and soon found that I could buy one of my favourite rims for similar money, and its "almost-OEM"... ALPINA 
Like the M166 wheel, IMHO the Alpina wheel design is a timeless classic and fits well with my OEM look. The only downside is that they look "small", so if you want a 19" look, you need to buy 20" !
These are original 20" Alpina wheels from the E38 7er.
- Front: 9x20, ET20, Yokohama Sport Advans 255/30/R20, plus 5mm spacers
- Rear: 10x20, ET32, Yokohama Sport Advans 285/25/R20, plus 10mm spacers (- I might put 15mm on
)
I'm just over the moon with the result
Here are some pics taken with my phone just after install -- as always, better pics will follow -- but hope you enjoy these for a start. What do you think?
Like the M166 wheel, IMHO the Alpina wheel design is a timeless classic and fits well with my OEM look. The only downside is that they look "small", so if you want a 19" look, you need to buy 20" !
These are original 20" Alpina wheels from the E38 7er.
- Front: 9x20, ET20, Yokohama Sport Advans 255/30/R20, plus 5mm spacers
- Rear: 10x20, ET32, Yokohama Sport Advans 285/25/R20, plus 10mm spacers (- I might put 15mm on
)I'm just over the moon with the result
Here are some pics taken with my phone just after install -- as always, better pics will follow -- but hope you enjoy these for a start. What do you think?
Good choice
07-22-2010 | 03:37 AM
#6
Thread Starter
Contributors
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,186
Likes: 2
From: UK
My Ride: Jan 2006 E63 650i Sport
.
Options:
Sport version (includes: sport-seats, sport-suspension, M-Sport steering wheel, Anthracite headliner, Shaddow Line), Saphire Black, Black Dakota Leather, Anthracite Maple Wood trim, Steptronic Auto, Xenons, NAV-Professional with Voice Control, TV, CD-Changer, Bluetooth, Logic7, Head-up Display, Comfort Access, Seat Heating front, Auto Dimming & Folding Mirrors, Extended Auto Air Conditioning, PDC.
.
Mods:
Spacers 5mm front & 15mm rear
.
Wheels:
20" Alpina Softline (Classic) with Dunlop Sport Maxx non-RFT (255/35/20 & 285/30/20)
thanks mate 
thanks
I used to have M166s and had the M172s, so I know what I let myself in for with regards to cleaning
But its like a black car; when its clean, it looks 
I hope your wheels get there soon!
thanks
The Yokohamas are VERY wide. I originally ordered 295s but was advised against it due to possible rubbing issues. Seeing as Mrs xBMWx drives the car around the city, my rims need all the extra rubber protection they can get! I will post some close-ups later, so you can see just how much wider they are.
Thanks
You are right about the offsets, which is why I put 5mm spacers up front and 10mm spacers at the rear. The front is just perfectly flush with the upper arch and without the spacer would have rubbed on the inside. The rear might be able to handle the 15mm spacers I have (from my 19s), but I first want to see if I have any rubbing with the 10mm spacers.
I will post up some pics later so you can see how they sit in the arches.
I used to have M166s and had the M172s, so I know what I let myself in for with regards to cleaning
But its like a black car; when its clean, it looks I hope your wheels get there soon!The Yokohamas are VERY wide. I originally ordered 295s but was advised against it due to possible rubbing issues. Seeing as Mrs xBMWx drives the car around the city, my rims need all the extra rubber protection they can get! I will post some close-ups later, so you can see just how much wider they are.
You are right about the offsets, which is why I put 5mm spacers up front and 10mm spacers at the rear. The front is just perfectly flush with the upper arch and without the spacer would have rubbed on the inside. The rear might be able to handle the 15mm spacers I have (from my 19s), but I first want to see if I have any rubbing with the 10mm spacers.
I will post up some pics later so you can see how they sit in the arches.
07-22-2010 | 03:51 AM
#7
Contributors
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: Frankfurt/Main/Germany,originally from south Italy
My Ride: 2010 BMW 530i E61, alpine white, cream-beige interior, sports-auto-transmission and a lot more-
nice done!!
these rims are wonderful! Now all you need is to take a closer look to the curbs, it would be a shame to scratch those rims!
Have fun with it!!
BTW: Do you also adore the reflection of you car on the other cars or windows when standing on the red light? I catched myself several times the last months
#
Ivano
these rims are wonderful! Now all you need is to take a closer look to the curbs, it would be a shame to scratch those rims!
Have fun with it!!
BTW: Do you also adore the reflection of you car on the other cars or windows when standing on the red light? I catched myself several times the last months
#Ivano
07-22-2010 | 05:43 AM
#9
Thread Starter
Contributors
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,186
Likes: 2
From: UK
My Ride: Jan 2006 E63 650i Sport
.
Options:
Sport version (includes: sport-seats, sport-suspension, M-Sport steering wheel, Anthracite headliner, Shaddow Line), Saphire Black, Black Dakota Leather, Anthracite Maple Wood trim, Steptronic Auto, Xenons, NAV-Professional with Voice Control, TV, CD-Changer, Bluetooth, Logic7, Head-up Display, Comfort Access, Seat Heating front, Auto Dimming & Folding Mirrors, Extended Auto Air Conditioning, PDC.
.
Mods:
Spacers 5mm front & 15mm rear
.
Wheels:
20" Alpina Softline (Classic) with Dunlop Sport Maxx non-RFT (255/35/20 & 285/30/20)
nice done!!
these rims are wonderful! Now all you need is to take a closer look to the curbs, it would be a shame to scratch those rims!
Have fun with it!!
BTW: Do you also adore the reflection of you car on the other cars or windows when standing on the red light? I catched myself several times the last months #
Ivano
these rims are wonderful! Now all you need is to take a closer look to the curbs, it would be a shame to scratch those rims!
Have fun with it!!
BTW: Do you also adore the reflection of you car on the other cars or windows when standing on the red light? I catched myself several times the last months
#Ivano
Thankfully the Yokohamas are very wide around the rim, so a little more protection... which is needed with my darling wife
As for looking at my car in the reflection of windows etc. -- no, I would never do anything like that
thanks
I loved the M166s I had on my first two E60s and wanted another "classy" rim. Like you said, the Alpina rim has that look
07-22-2010 | 09:27 AM
#10
Senior Members
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 843
Likes: 0
From: OC, SoCal
My Ride: '05 545i SMG, 35% Tint, LED Angel Eyes
They look huge! 
It will look bad-ass if you drop it a little tho.
Those wheels will be a pain in the ass to clean but have no fear, Sonax is here. I use this stuff religiously on my M101s. Spray it, let it sit for about 5 minutes and hose off. No brushing needed unless you go weeks without washing your car.
It will look bad-ass if you drop it a little tho.Those wheels will be a pain in the ass to clean but have no fear, Sonax is here. I use this stuff religiously on my M101s. Spray it, let it sit for about 5 minutes and hose off. No brushing needed unless you go weeks without washing your car.