Offsets for dummies

bavarian19 · 06-13-2006, 05:08 PM

Well, I am an idiot when it comes to certain things... Wheel sizing and tire sizing was certainly something new to me, but I have gotten much from being a BMW owner...

One of the things that confused me the most was wheel offsets. I understood the basics that it either pushed the wheel in or out more in relation to the axle. I have stumbled upon a picture that best helps to describe offsets, and I figure I would pass the info along...

Wheel offset
The wheel's offset is the distance from its hub mounting surface to the centerline of the wheel. To determine wheel offset:

* Position the wheel on a flat surface and measure its overall width.
* Divide the overall width by two, then subtract this result from the backspace value.

Offset = Backspace - (Rim Width ÷ 2)

The offset of a wheel can be one of the following three settings:

Zero offset:
The hub mounting surface is even with the centerline of the wheel.

Positive offset:
The hub mounting surface is toward the front or wheel side of the wheel. Positive offset wheels are generally found on front-wheel drive cars.

Negative offset:
The hub mounting surface is toward the back or brake side of the wheel's centerline. "Deep dish" wheels are typically negative offset.

bavarian19 · 06-13-2006, 05:10 PM

So based on your wheels current offsets, you can figure out whether the new wheel will stick out or tuck in more than your current wheel.

(Mods... making this a sticky might help people like myself in the future...)

HRC · 06-13-2006, 07:31 PM

Just plug numbers in the wheel calculator above and presto! :rocks:

Danny

Quote:

Originally Posted by bavarian19

So based on your wheels current offsets, you can figure out whether the new wheel will stick out or tuck in more than your current wheel.

(Mods... making this a sticky might help people like myself in the future...)

bavarian19 · 06-13-2006, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HRC

Just plug numbers in the wheel calculator above and presto! :rocks:

Danny

Well, this way you know what the calculator is doing

poldim · 07-18-2006, 08:47 AM

Does anyone know if I can use the calculator and include my 12mm spacers in the calculation?

IE: I'm running my wheels with spacers now so it would either be +/- 12mm to the 37mm offset.

HRC · 07-18-2006, 11:58 AM

You can input the spacers into the calculator.

Danny

Quote:

Originally Posted by poldim

Does anyone know if I can use the calculator and include my 12mm spacers in the calculation?

IE: I'm running my wheels with spacers now so it would either be +/- 12mm to the 37mm offset.

Ghunger · 07-18-2006, 12:14 PM

Spacers subtract offset. a 12mm spacer on a 37mm offset wheel gets you 25mm of offset total.

BMW320i · 10-22-2006, 12:51 AM

ok so im a dummy in wheels and tires as well...

my questions:
1. how do i know my current wheel offfset??

2. how do i know this wheels offset??
http://www.performancealloys.com/details.asp?procedure=wheel&id_wheels='Fox%20R%204 '&id_wheels_manufacturers='Fox%20Racing'&id_wheels _sizes='18x8'&price='132'&permission=201147256

06-13-2006, 05:08 PM	#1
bavarian19 General 547 Rep 18,849 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: VA iTrader: (23)	Offsets for dummies Well, I am an idiot when it comes to certain things... Wheel sizing and tire sizing was certainly something new to me, but I have gotten much from being a BMW owner... One of the things that confused me the most was wheel offsets. I understood the basics that it either pushed the wheel in or out more in relation to the axle. I have stumbled upon a picture that best helps to describe offsets, and I figure I would pass the info along... Wheel offset The wheel's offset is the distance from its hub mounting surface to the centerline of the wheel. To determine wheel offset: * Position the wheel on a flat surface and measure its overall width. * Divide the overall width by two, then subtract this result from the backspace value. Offset = Backspace - (Rim Width ÷ 2) The offset of a wheel can be one of the following three settings: Zero offset: The hub mounting surface is even with the centerline of the wheel. Positive offset: The hub mounting surface is toward the front or wheel side of the wheel. Positive offset wheels are generally found on front-wheel drive cars. Negative offset: The hub mounting surface is toward the back or brake side of the wheel's centerline. "Deep dish" wheels are typically negative offset.
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06-13-2006, 05:10 PM	#2
bavarian19 General 547 Rep 18,849 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: VA iTrader: (23)	So based on your wheels current offsets, you can figure out whether the new wheel will stick out or tuck in more than your current wheel. (Mods... making this a sticky might help people like myself in the future...)
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07-18-2006, 08:47 AM	#5
poldim Vroom Vrrooooom 309 Rep 3,146 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330i Sedan [0.00] 2003 GSX-R 600 [0.00]	Does anyone know if I can use the calculator and include my 12mm spacers in the calculation? IE: I'm running my wheels with spacers now so it would either be +/- 12mm to the 37mm offset. __________________ -Dmitriy 06' BMW 330i & 03' Suzuki GSX-R600 SG \| Beige Dakota \| Poplar \|\| iDrive w/MP3 \| PP \| SP \| CWP \| PDC \| Comfort \| Shades \|\| 40% Tint \| Black Line Tail Lights \| Hardwired V1
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07-18-2006, 12:14 PM	#7
Ghunger Major 56 Rep 1,024 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	Spacers subtract offset. a 12mm spacer on a 37mm offset wheel gets you 25mm of offset total. __________________ 330i Monaco Blue, Terra /w aluminum trim, SP, PP, CA, PDC, Nav, Folding Seats, Sat Prep European Delivery Blog Picture Gallery
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10-22-2006, 12:51 AM	#8
BMW320i Colonel 186 Rep 2,916 Posts Drives: '06 AW 320i Join Date: May 2006 Location: Muscat, Oman iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 320i [0.00]	ok so im a dummy in wheels and tires as well... my questions: 1. how do i know my current wheel offfset?? 2. how do i know this wheels offset?? http://www.performancealloys.com/details.asp?procedure=wheel&id_wheels='Fox%20R%204 '&id_wheels_manufacturers='Fox%20Racing'&id_wheels _sizes='18x8'&price='132'&permission=201147256 __________________ 19" velocity CSL replicas staggured // Continental sport contact 2: rear: 255/35/19, Front: 235/35/19 // Blacklines // rear OEM spoiler // y-connector // 30% v-kool tint all around // Black Roof/Mirrors // H&R Sport springs // H&R TRAK+ 15mm spacers // *BMW never makes ordinary cars . . .*
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