Taking the M166 plunge
10-11-2008, 08:08 AM
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My Ride: 2004 545i - Bone stock... help!
Okay so I'm taking the 166 plunge since I found a shop locally that I can get 35% discount on OEM parts.
Now I've gotten from THIS thread that my tire sizes are as follows:
245/35-19" Front
275/30-19" Rear
Tires I've chosen - Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sports - Good hot/dry performance, quiet, reasonable price. Seem like good choices for Dubai.
Now here is where I'm confused - Offset and spacers. WTF?
Let's examine what I've learned from my research.
THIS guy says the following:
Okay so based on this, the M6 rear offset of ET 17 is the way to go, but I'm still not sure about the front - it says later in that thread that ET 12 is OEM fronts, is that also M6? Also, I go to the realoem.com website and look at the current offset for my 116's and it says ET 20.
I'm trying to figure out what's what.
I get that I want ET 17 for rears, but what about fronts?? 12? Any drawbacks to the M6 offset? Pretty much everything I've read says it looks better than the M5 offset.
They are mounting them tomorrow so any help would be greatly appreciated
. Can't wait for my new shoes!!
Now I've gotten from THIS thread that my tire sizes are as follows:
245/35-19" Front
275/30-19" Rear
Tires I've chosen - Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sports - Good hot/dry performance, quiet, reasonable price. Seem like good choices for Dubai.
Now here is where I'm confused - Offset and spacers. WTF?
Let's examine what I've learned from my research.
THIS guy says the following:
The ET17(M6) offset gives an 11mm wider stance over the ET28(M5) which gives it a more aggressive look and places them almost even with the wheels wells/arches. This provides a more consistent look with the M166 M5 fronts which are also almost even with the front wheels wells. The wider stance should also provide a handling edge over the narrower stance of the M5 offset.
Most guys that have M166's just didn't do enough research when purchasing their wheels and ended up with the M5 rear offset. They then ended up adding spacers later to get the same look you will get with the M6 offset. Spacers are just plain scary to me, just doesn't seem safe somehow.
In summary get the ET17(M6) rear offset.
Most guys that have M166's just didn't do enough research when purchasing their wheels and ended up with the M5 rear offset. They then ended up adding spacers later to get the same look you will get with the M6 offset. Spacers are just plain scary to me, just doesn't seem safe somehow.
In summary get the ET17(M6) rear offset.
I'm trying to figure out what's what.
I get that I want ET 17 for rears, but what about fronts?? 12? Any drawbacks to the M6 offset? Pretty much everything I've read says it looks better than the M5 offset.
They are mounting them tomorrow so any help would be greatly appreciated
. Can't wait for my new shoes!!
! It will look great.
10-11-2008, 09:40 AM
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My Ride: 2011.5 Alpine White E90 M3 | Black Novillo Leather | Carbon Fiber Leather Trim | ZCP | ZP2 | M-DCT | Navigation | Moonroof | 6FL Mods: TMS 12.5mm spacers all around l Hawk HPS Brake Pads l OEM M3 Edition Grills l Paint Matched Side Gills l Key Hole D
Front offsets for the M5 and M6 are the same...no worries. Good call with going with the rear M6 offsets 
Post pics after the install.
Post pics after the install.
10-11-2008, 09:47 AM
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My Ride: 2004 545i - Bone stock... help!
Originally Posted by GENEaTALS' post='690550' date='Oct 11 2008, 09:40 PM
Front offsets for the M5 and M6 are the same...no worries. Good call with going with the rear M6 offsets Post pics after the install.
Post pics after the install. .Will do a photo shoot with the car next weekend. Yay!
10-11-2008, 09:48 AM
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My Ride: 2011, X6 Hybrid . Alpine White , every option. 20" Conti' NON runflats,OEM trunk spoiler , LUX V3 AE's , HP Thunder Fogs , custom front bumper reflector delete........
Originally Posted by dirksqjaw' post='690553' date='Oct 11 2008, 12:47 PM
Sweet! That's what I was hoping to hear. ET 12/17 it is .
Will do a photo shoot with the car next weekend. Yay!
.Will do a photo shoot with the car next weekend. Yay!
10-11-2008, 10:06 AM
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I'm using M6 offsets and they are fine -- I'd rather do this than use spacers, that's for sure! The fronts are the same (M5 or M6) with only the rear offsets being different by 11mm I think...
10-12-2008, 07:07 AM
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My Ride: Mach5 05' 530i Black Sapphire Metallic w/Auburn Leather Seats, Heated Front/Rear Seats, Cold Weather Pkg, Premium Pkg, Sports Pkg, Xenon Headlights, NAV, Mud Flaps, 20" 166 Style Rims
Model Year: 2005
Engine: N54
Originally Posted by GENEaTALS' post='690550' date='Oct 11 2008, 01:40 PM
Front offsets for the M5 and M6 are the same...no worries. Good call with going with the rear M6 offsets Post pics after the install.
Post pics after the install. This is the kind of information that you can't get anywhere else. I've often had the same question on my mind between the M5 and M6 offsets. Unfortunately I purchased my M5 offsets two years ago without this knowledge. Now I face a similar yet unique perspective. Should I add wheel spacers or sell my M5 offsets and purchase the M6 166 style wheels? However, good looking out for us GENEaTALS.
10-12-2008, 07:13 AM
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My Ride: Mach5 05' 530i Black Sapphire Metallic w/Auburn Leather Seats, Heated Front/Rear Seats, Cold Weather Pkg, Premium Pkg, Sports Pkg, Xenon Headlights, NAV, Mud Flaps, 20" 166 Style Rims
Model Year: 2005
Engine: N54
Originally Posted by BigMike' post='690563' date='Oct 11 2008, 02:06 PM
I'm using M6 offsets and they are fine -- I'd rather do this than use spacers, that's for sure! The fronts are the same (M5 or M6) with only the rear offsets being different by 11mm I think...
Hey BigMike,
So you think getting the spacers are no good?
Any suggestions on getting rid of my current M5 set up? 
And by the way I haven't forgotten. Still waiting to hear from a certain State Attorney 
.
10-12-2008, 08:18 AM
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My Ride: 2011.5 Alpine White E90 M3 | Black Novillo Leather | Carbon Fiber Leather Trim | ZCP | ZP2 | M-DCT | Navigation | Moonroof | 6FL Mods: TMS 12.5mm spacers all around l Hawk HPS Brake Pads l OEM M3 Edition Grills l Paint Matched Side Gills l Key Hole D
Originally Posted by tprenaldo' post='690992' date='Oct 12 2008, 08:13 AM
Hey BigMike,
So you think getting the spacers are no good? Any suggestions on getting rid of my current M5 set up? And by the way I haven't forgotten. Still waiting to hear from a certain State Attorney .
So you think getting the spacers are no good?
Any suggestions on getting rid of my current M5 set up? And by the way I haven't forgotten. Still waiting to hear from a certain State Attorney .Members have used spacers without issues. The boys over at trinity autosports (nerweezy and/or r1racer) or john@eurorev could further answer q's about spacers and recc brands for you GL
Gene
10-12-2008, 08:04 PM
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My Ride: 10 Honda Fit Sport, 10 Honda Pilot Touring
Originally Posted by dirksqjaw' post='690516' date='Oct 11 2008, 11:08 AM