I have been researching which spacers I need for my new E61, so that I can fit my OEM 19" rims on the rear; type 128 for winter (now!) and type M166 for summer. The fronts will fit fine, so its just about getting the rear rim/tyre combos to fit.

The type M166 rims (for M5) have the following dimensions on the rear:
9,5x19 -- 275/30/R19 -- ET28

The type 128 rims have the following dimensions on the rear:
9,5x19 -- 275/30/R19 -- ET32


According to the H&R website, they have had their spacers formally tested and approved for use on the E61. They did not test the M166 rims, but did test the 128 rims -- i.e. those rims formally offered by BMW for the E61. The H&R results state that the 128 rim fits with a 5mm spacer per side and that the 10mm spacers (or larger) require the inner side of the outer arch to be rolled! So that would in theory mean that the M166 (M5) rim definitely should not be used with any spacers larger than 5mm??

I spoke to my BMW dealer (their in-house "spacer expert") about this and he recommend H&R only. He stated that if H&R had tested it, then it is correct. However, he also said that 5mm seemed very little for a car this size and that 10mm could also be ok. If however it turned out to be too wide, rolling the arches is not an issue Not really what I expected to hear from a BMW dealer, but at least I got an honest and objective response from them


My question: Is putting a 5mm spacer on really going to make all the difference (on the inside of the arch)? It just seems such a small amount If H&R say it is 5mm, then I assume it is correct, or are they being over cautious and I should try 10mm?? What experience have you had or what advice would you give??

Thanks!

(p.s. please no suggestions about buying front wheels for all round, because I want to re-use the ones from my current E60 and not spend a fortune on new rims / lose money on the ones I have -- thanks!)

 

when I had my 128s, I put on 15mm spacers, bringing the rear offsets to ET17 flushed with the fenders

 

Thanks for the feedback The E60 has more spacer under the rear arch compare to the Touring, because the Touring has air-suspension that needs more room on the inner side of the arch. I'm just struggling to find out how different the available space is under the E61 arches compared to the E60


HELLO TOURING OWNERS!!!

It would be appreciated if you could provide advice on the 5mm vs. 10mm spacer quesiton I originally posted -- thanks!

I will most likely go for 10mm spacers for both rims, but worried about the 128s (ET32) sticking out too much and rubbing on the outer arch?? The M166s should not be an issue, because they only have ET28.

 

Hi, although I didn't try your exact setup you could draw some conclusions from my experiences. I was experimenting with 20mm spacers on 20x9 ET20 rims + standard suspension which looked just perfect, but there was massive rubbing so I had to remove them. 10mm would have been OK and maybe also 15mm. I ended up without spacers though since compromising on the 20mm still would leave the wheels too far off the outer arc for my taste.

 

I have 124's on my E61 9" rears ET32 which I got recommended to use a H/C spacer of between 15 & 20 mm,I went with 18mm and they are perfect.They sit well out and I have absolutely no rubbing issues.I did drop the rear tyre size down from 275 to 265 though.

 

Hi, I have M166 for summer and I use them without spacers.
The space inside the wheel and tire well is quite small with 28 et. Anyway
I have tested the car with different levels of suspension and there is in any case about 0,5 to 1 cm of room.

With type 128 and 32 mm the inside will be very close call depending on tire.

I have not tested with spacers, but

I suppose you can safely use 10 mm with 128 and 5 mm with 166 without rolling the fenders.

I remember someone here has M166 wheels in touring with M6 setup (et 17) and as far as I know they are doing fine..

 

When I trial fitted my 124's the rears were jammed solid against the inner arch (ET32)

 

Both the 128's and 172 M's have a rear ET32 as you wrote.

I would say they need at least 10 mm spacers rear,
as we have read some say even 15 mm.

For both wheels the front ET is 18 so they are OK.


Both the 166 M and 167 M rims have a front ET of only 12.
But the rear ET's for the 166 M is 28 and for the 167 M only 17.


All rims are F 8,5 and R 9,5 and all tires F 245/35 and R 275/30 19"



Also 8,5x19" ET 18 all around rims seems to be for sale as 128's and 172 M's.

 

Thank you all for the feedback, much appreciated

I have an appointment on Thursday to have the 128s fitted to the car by a garage and the put through T?V approval. I suggested the 10mm spacers for the rear, but they said that they had had problems with 10mm in the past, i.e. they did not always get approval depending on the tyre being used. It will probably end up being the 5mm spacers, which is also the size that has been formally (T?V) tested and approved by H&R.

I don't have spacers on my E60 and like the look as it is, so the 5mm on the Touring should be just fine -- all I want is the for T?V approval so the car is legal.

I'll let you know how I get on... fingers crossed hey!

 

Quick update and important info for those considering a similar wheel set up to the following:

Type 128 rims with the following dimensions on the rear:
9,5x19 -- 275/30/R19 -- ET32

The wheel did NOT fit with 5mm or 10mm spacers -- there was rubbing on the inside -- I did not get T?V approval

15mm spacers will be fitted next week. As part of the checks / measurements with the 5mm and 10mm spacers, T?V have already said that they expect the wheels to fit with 15mm spacers. I will provide an update after the T?V inspection next Tuesday...

(Thankfully I have a garage do this all for me -- I owe them big!)