fitment 101

hdrewh · 09-28-2011, 01:31 PM

what exactly does "offset" mean, what does "ET" stand for, and how are these concepts used in making wheel decisions?

Thanks
<leaves apple on desk, takes seat, picks up pencil, opens notebook>

info@VMRWheels · 09-28-2011, 01:39 PM

Offset is just the distance from the hub/back pad of the wheel from the center of the wheel. This of course is represented in millimeters, and depending on the offset it'll help you determine how far in or out a wheel will sit. Whenever you see an "ET" it's just how many millimeters it is. Here's what it really actually means.

Quote:

Wheels are usually stamped with their offset using the German prefix "ET", meaning "Einpresstiefe" or, literally, "press depth".

The higher the offset, the more INTO the fenders the wheel will be. The lower the offset, the more OUT towards the fenders the wheel will be. So for instance if you have a 19x9.5 ET45 and 19x9.5 ET33, the ET33 version will be sticking out 12mm more than the ET45 (or as some may say, it will be 12mm more aggressive). When calculating wheel sizing you need to consider how much inner and outer clearance you have, what tire size you'd like to run, brand, model, etc. It will all depend on how you set up your car. Different cars require different width and offsets. Just remember that width differences will affect the outer and inner clearance. So even if the wheels have the same offset but different widths they will fit slightly differently. Hope that helps!

Here's a visual representation of what the offset of the wheel is.

[img]http://www.**********s.com/images/Products/Wheels/WheelOffset.jpg[/img]

hdrewh · 09-28-2011, 04:27 PM

nice! thank you.

info@VMRWheels · 09-28-2011, 05:07 PM

You're welcome!

nekky · 09-29-2011, 12:27 PM

Perfect description. Good job

info@VMRWheels · 09-29-2011, 01:27 PM

Thanks!

Gary@TireRack · 09-29-2011, 01:29 PM

Here is a visual of it :

drfrink24 · 09-29-2011, 02:47 PM

Is there a chart of the minimum clearances (inside and outside, caliper, strut, etc..) for various e9x setups?

info@VMRWheels · 09-29-2011, 02:52 PM

It really will vary on the wheel and the sizing it is offered in. Some wheels have better spoke clearance than others, some have better barrel clearance than others. Usually you could tell on fender/strut clearance easily. You can more or less measure how far the wheel is from your strut or from your fenders, but if you want to upgrade your brakes they usually have templates online that you cut out. You just fit these inside the wheels to make sure they will clear your components.

09-28-2011, 01:31 PM	#1
hdrewh Lieutenant 71 Rep 441 Posts Drives: '09 E90 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New York iTrader: (3)	fitment 101 what exactly does "offset" mean, what does "ET" stand for, and how are these concepts used in making wheel decisions? Thanks <leaves apple on desk, takes seat, picks up pencil, opens notebook> __________________ 2009 E90 328i Montego Blue, Black Leather, 6MT, ZPP, Logic 7, HD radio, CA, fold-down seats, PDC. ED pickup 6/12/2009 mods: Koni FSDs, Eibach Pro's, Sport/Heated Seats, BMW Perf. short shifter, M-tech shift knob/e-brake handle/steering wheel, split armrest, black grilles, 50% tint, 3M clear bra.
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09-28-2011, 04:27 PM	#3
hdrewh Lieutenant 71 Rep 441 Posts Drives: '09 E90 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New York iTrader: (3)	nice! thank you. __________________ 2009 E90 328i Montego Blue, Black Leather, 6MT, ZPP, Logic 7, HD radio, CA, fold-down seats, PDC. ED pickup 6/12/2009 mods: Koni FSDs, Eibach Pro's, Sport/Heated Seats, BMW Perf. short shifter, M-tech shift knob/e-brake handle/steering wheel, split armrest, black grilles, 50% tint, 3M clear bra.
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09-28-2011, 05:07 PM	#4
info@VMRWheels BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 31 Rep 326 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (0)	You're welcome!
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09-29-2011, 12:27 PM	#5
nekky Wagon life 39 Rep 991 Posts Drives: '16 328d M Sport Touring Join Date: May 2011 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (2)	Perfect description. Good job
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09-29-2011, 01:27 PM	#6
info@VMRWheels BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 31 Rep 326 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (0)	Thanks!
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09-29-2011, 01:29 PM	#7
Gary@TireRack Moderator 372 Rep 4,742 Posts Drives: Formerly 1995 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Bend, IN, Tire Rack HQ iTrader: (2)	Here is a visual of it : __________________ Gary. Tire and Wheel Forum Moderator. Tire Rack Sales Rep Gary@Tirerack.com http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&url=index.jsp Please refer to 'Gary/E90 Post' as your previous contact when you order online to help support this forum.
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09-29-2011, 02:47 PM	#8
drfrink24 Second Lieutenant 13 Rep 233 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: SE MN iTrader: (0)	Is there a chart of the minimum clearances (inside and outside, caliper, strut, etc..) for various e9x setups?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-29-2011, 02:52 PM	#9
info@VMRWheels BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 31 Rep 326 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (0)	It really will vary on the wheel and the sizing it is offered in. Some wheels have better spoke clearance than others, some have better barrel clearance than others. Usually you could tell on fender/strut clearance easily. You can more or less measure how far the wheel is from your strut or from your fenders, but if you want to upgrade your brakes they usually have templates online that you cut out. You just fit these inside the wheels to make sure they will clear your components.
	Appreciate 0 Quote