Will E38 7 spoke wheels fit E34?

[Al Gray]

My 2001 740il has the 17" 7 spoke wheels with Pirelli tires. My son, Sean, wanted to put them on the 1992 525i. We tried to put them on the E34 but ran into clearance problems with the inside of the wheel rubbing the shock tower. Will these wheels fit with the correct spacers? If so where do I get the spacers and has anyone else tried to use the E38 7 spoke wheels on an E34 before? Inquiring minds want to know.

Al Gray

[The Bigfella]

What is the ET on the E38 wheels

[shogun]

Wheels fit, but not the tires.
http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/upgrad...ls_upgrade.htm

[Paul in NZ]

there is some interesting info here.At least one E38 wheel has an offset of 23,so it seems that 3mm is enough to cause interference.!

[Qsilver7]

I run e38 16"x8" Cross Spoke Style 5 wheels (w/23mm wheel offset) on my 95 525iT mounted with 225/55/16 snow tires every winter.

Like stated previously, the problem is not the wheels...but the tires. The e34's original wheel & tire circumference/diameter is NOT the same size as the e38. For instance, the recommended 17" tire size for the e34 is 235/45/17...whereas the recommended 17" tires size for the e38 is 235/55/17.

If you go to and use a tires size calculator like the one here: http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp ...you will see that the difference between the recommended 17" tires for the e34 & e38 is greater than 3%...which can create problems.

Again, the problem is not the wheel...but the tires...they are TOO big for the e34.

[Qsilver7]

Here's pics of e38 wheels (16"x8" w/23mm offset) mounted on an e34...and I experience NO rubbing problems. Car is not lowered either.