OZ rims for 01 e53, 29mm offset?

[Phr3d]

Tire Rack has a set of OZ rims that I like, and spec them as a package for the 01 e53 3.0i 5m std.. then I see the offset is 29mm vs my present 40mm.

First question, does OZ still make a fine aftermarket rim, or should I stay in ronal/borbet-land (can't afford BBS, nor the tires for large wheels)

As a victim of balance/other issues with prior wheel purchases, and as someone who has had damned-poor luck completing the X before I posted pics, is this something that I can trust Tirerack about? seems a substantial difference.

Or do I just not understand offset correctly.. I'm pre-shopping for next summer, putting conti's on the factory uglies for keeps..

thanx

P.S. at the risk of sounding more n00b than I am, we had some difficulty with the short 1st gear in our baby, very un-BMW, and seemed to be aimed at 0-60 times and dragging small ranch-homes from their foundations. alternatively, I've howled about why they didn't just put in the big six and presume that it made it too competitive with the 4.4.. a 3.5-3.8 m5 or m6 would be a hoot <sigh>. (so can I bore this puppy out or head it? ah shyt it's the baby-six).
So the exhaust tips looked horrendous and I managed to find a 4.8i set to replace it - the take-up in 1st is much improved.. or is it just us getting used to it.. so the 'additional question'.. can the diff gears be changed to raise the final drive? In my e12 I woulda' done it in a second, but with 'puters and AWD.. not sure what is involved.. (sure hope JCL sees this)

[TriX5]

Standard offset is 48mm. With 29 your are 19mm under or about 3/4 inch. For 8.5 inch wide wheels I run 20mm spacers on the front which is ever so slightly beyond the fender. With 15 mm they are just under the fender. Depending on the width of the wheels you are considering it would likely not be a problem if they are 8.5 inch or less.

[Phr3d]

Thanx, TriX5. So not perfectly 'wrapping' the spindle is no cause for concern, I take it, as spacers were provided for the 'is' versions from the factory, correct? That is good news, as there ain't much to choose from in the 17" OEM list, and 60$ per inch of diameter per tire strikes me as an exorbitant price-hike for little gain (138 vs 197 vs 257 for the tires I am choosing).

[powers1]

Hi phr3d.You didnt get many answers because you didnt give enough information!We didnt even know what size wheels you were talking about ,until your last post.
To answer your question:-
1.OZ are a reputable wheel manufacturer ,and in the same league as the OE Ronal and Borbet made.,so you are ok there.
2.Regarding the offset issue .40 is the stock 17" offset,so if yiu get wheels with the 29 offset ,you will be more than fine ,as it means the wheels will stick ou 11mm,so in fact they will even better and not so inwards.
So fitting a 29 offset wheem ,when before yiu had 40,its the same as fitting a 11mm spacer to bring the wheels out.In your case ,because you only have 7.5 x 17 wheels,your wheels will still be very inwards.
3.The spacers were not provided for the 20" wheels on the 4.8is version!These have extended fender flares,people put spacers on these as an option to bring the wheels out and inline with the flares.

[Phr3d]

Thanx powers1. purchased.
I didn't think tirerack would sell them as as an e53 set-up if there was a problem, but thought I'd check.

I can find nothing about differential gearing.. apparently not possible?

[TriX5]

Sorry, but no X comes with spacers from the factory. I also did not mention anything to do with centre bore. As it is the CB of the wheels needs to match the cars hubs or you need appropriate hub rings.

Good luck.

[Phr3d]

My mistake, as I have read quite a lot and when I saw references to "switched the *mm spacers to **mm " I ASSumed they were changing out OEM parts.

Fingers crossed, but I can always go back to the fuglies if OZ have any problems.

Start a new thread for the diff gearing (someday), hoping there is a standard and towing gear set..