[Ramos]

Hey guys,


ABout to pull the trigger on the Kosei's 17x8.5 from Tirerack
for a square track setup when I saw these D-Force LTW5 that I think look way better... They are 16 Lbs each and not that much more expensive than the Kosei.. They come in 17x8.5 ET 40 and I think 17x9 ET 41 ..

Which is the best size and the correct offset for my E90 335
for a SQUARE setup with no spacers and no rubbing.. (Stock suspension not lowered)

Thanks

[nicknaz]

others have confirmed that 17x8.5 ET40 and 255 width tires don't rub expect during full lock parking lot maneuvers

i have no personal experience

[nj335i]

I remember reading that not all 17" wheels will clear the 335i front brakes... just make sure you do your research before buying.

[Ramos]

I am doing my research by asking you guys !! ha ha

[leftcoastman]

Test fit one at your next autox/track day.

If you look at the Koseis, the inside of the rims have this indentation that PERFECTLY fits the 335i brakes. It's so close that I always get rubber-booger marks on the inside of my rims.

If the LTW5 doesn't have that, you're screwed.

[satakal]

Dude, Ramos, you don't need Kosei's... I'll sell you a beautiful set of 162s for the same price as you'd pick up a set of Kosei.
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[longodj]

Just get the Koseis you can't ask for a better fit

[Ramos]

Originally Posted by satakal

Dude, Ramos, you don't need Kosei's... I'll sell you a beautiful set of 162s for the same price as you'd pick up a set of Kosei.

WAAY to heavy.. Plus isn't that what I already have?

[Ramos]

Originally Posted by longodj

Just get the Koseis you can't ask for a better fit

I know but they're sooo ugly

[satakal]

Originally Posted by Ramos

WAAY to heavy.. Plus isn't that what I already have?

uh yeah. But, you can run whatever rubber you want on your non-leased set of wheels.

I don't believe in that whole unsprung mass thing anymore. If I can't feel it, it isn't real!
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[leftcoastman]

Originally Posted by Ramos

I know but they're sooo ugly

Show or Go? Aren't these your track wheels? Have you seen a set of track wheels after a few rounds of brake dust being baked on them?

If you want show, get some Chrome 20s.

[Ramos]

I want go.. But if you can get good looking wheels that weight just as little actually a little less then the Kosei for just a little extra cash, then why not?

[Ramos]

Please people... Can someone just tell me what would work better
17X8.5 ET 40 or 17X9 ET 41 ??

[satakal]

Originally Posted by Ramos

Please people... Can someone just tell me what would work better
17X8.5 ET 40 or 17X9 ET 41 ??

I don't think anyone can give you an answer they are willing to stand behind on the 9in wide wheels.

The Kosei is a 17 that fits. The SSR 17 that the guy who won 6cyl stock at the autocross was trying to sell doesn't fit.

the only rule of thumb to follow sounds like... "if the shoe fits, buy it."
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[Ramos]

Here is a link to these wheels in case anyone wants to see what they look like..
http://store.bimmerworld.com/shared/...t=products.asp

They were also featured on the blue 135 in August edition of Roundel magazine

[blipblip]

Talk to these guys:
http://www.vorshlag.com/index.php?cPath=1_79_90

[longodj]

There's no chance in hell that 17x9 ET41 wheel will fit without spacers or rubbing. I just put KW V3s on and my Kosei K1 17x8.5 ET40 (245/45/ZR17, -2.6 camber) is rubbing under full lock with the drop. Without the drop I think it was leftcoastman that mentioned there's a like...6mm space between the strut and the wheel, you'll lose that with the 17x9 ET41. In that case you'll need spacers which have a host of downsides over time.

I see no reason not to get the K1s especially since they're cheap as hell (IIRC $100 cheaper than the LTW5) and look one hell of a lot better in person than online. Leftcoastman is right, it's a question of go or show. The LTW5 and K1 look almost identical... I think the LTW5 is uglier but the fact is it doesn't matter. After one lap they'll be covered in dust and look like shit anyway.

[longodj]

Originally Posted by satakal

I don't believe in that whole unsprung mass thing anymore. If I can't feel it, it isn't real!

Yes and the magical track fairies carry my car around, that's why when I close my eyes and make believe my car only weighs 1800lbs. In reality it's 3800 but who cares right?

Unsprung mass makes a huge difference and if you look for it you'll notice. The car gets much more responsive moving from the craptastic stock wheels to aftermarket lightweights.

[satakal]

Originally Posted by longodj

Yes and the magical track fairies carry my car around, that's why when I close my eyes and make believe my car only weighs 1800lbs. In reality it's 3800 but who cares right?

Unsprung mass makes a huge difference and if you look for it you'll notice. The car gets much more responsive moving from the craptastic stock wheels to aftermarket lightweights.

:-) Its all good.

I'm not gonna argue with a Newtonian equation. I don't need the bloody nose. I'm just saying that I saved 10lbs per corner with a new wheel/tire combo and my driving spidey senses aren't sufficiently sensitive to feel a difference.

Ramos: those wheels are ugly. IMO. But, I've been wrong before. I think the C30 is hawt.


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[sg335]

The 17x9ET41 will need 5mm spacers in front to work. Unless you plan on running larager than 245's, the 8.5" width is fine.

[leftcoastman]

Yeah, like I said, I'll rub in the parking lot with Koseis and 255s. I have yet to experience full lock on track at speed, so no rubbing on track, lol.

THE BIG UNKNOWN WITH THE LTW WHEELS IS BRAKE CLEARANCE. It barely, barely fits with the Koseis. If the LTW doesn't have the same schpanky stepped design, there is no way it will fit.

IF the brakes fit, a LTW5 17x9 ET41 with 5mm spacer will probably still work, even with 255. On the Koseis, the issue was that the wheel was getting close to strut - lowered or not doesn't make a difference there. The tires were fine. Deflection under cornering load generally occurs on the bottom half of the tire anyways and I never got "rubber" on my strut tube.

With the Kosei, I had 6mm between strut tube and wheel. The 17x9 would protrude inwards an additional 6.35mm (1/4 inch) from the wheel width change and 1mm from the offset. That gets you 7.35mm inwards, which would NOT work without a spacer. With the 5mm spacer, you would be 2.35mm inwards compared to the Kosei, basically cutting half your clearance. That's too close for comfort in my mind.

[leftcoastman]

Originally Posted by Ramos

I want go.. But if you can get good looking wheels that weight just as little actually a little less then the Kosei for just a little extra cash, then why not?

Because you will be adding weight via spacers, add more wear to your bearings via spacers and risk snapping your bolts off via spacers.

But girls risk a lot when they wear high heels, right?