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Alpina and Borrani (CMR) 13” Steel Rims


Conserv
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(Last edited 4/30/2022)

 

Note: A PDF version of my CMR steel rim matrix is attached at the end of this original post.

 

I long hoped to find a set of 5x13 Borrani steel rims for my very stock '76. Why? Snow tires, of course! Rare rims? You bet! Desired? Not so much! They were, however, regularly offered for sale, such as in the '70s GS Tuning catalogue and The Roundel. I suspect many, perhaps most, of the 5x13 rims served "snow-tire duty" back in the day. And in November 2012, I purchased a set of four 5x13 rims, most-recently worn by a bona fide German 2002ti and still wearing their factory-applied gray-beige finish (third photo below, after hours of polishing). Provided they run true, I will keep this amazingly-intact original finish.

 

While waiting to find that set of 5x13 rims, however, I decided to assemble some data on CMR-manufactured steel rims. CMR are the initials of Costruzione Meccaniche Rho, S.p.A., the Rho, Italy-based wheel manufacturer into which Carlo Borrani S.p.A. merged in the 1950’s — reportedly after the Borrani-named firm found itself lacking heirs to carry on its business independently. “Ruote Borrani Milano” survives as a division of CMR. It produces — or at least is used to market — all Borrani wire wheels, as well as a number of bi-metallic and specialty rims produced over the decades since Carlo Borrani S.p.A. was merged out of existence.

 

There was a great deal of information out there, but it wasn't organized or summarized, leaving us with lots of loose ends. For example, what models of these rims were produced and when were they produced? I looked primarily at old Roundels, this forum, and the forum offered by the German BMW 02 Club e.V. Here's what I found -- nothing likely to blow your socks off but it dispelled my personal belief that Alpina steel rims (CMR with circular cut-outs) were superseded by Borrani steel rims (CMR with triangular cut-outs).

 

Looking at photos or text that provided dates for rims, the earliest dated Alpina example I have is October 1967 and the latest is 1975. The earliest dated Borrani example I have is April 1968 and the latest is December 1983. Examples of CMR steel rims produced prior to 1971 may not have stamped markings on the front or rear faces of the rims; only the tire race (a.k.a., barrel) will exhibit the manufacturer, size, and date of manufacture.

 

Alpina steel rims were offered in 5" and 5.5" widths. One contributor thought he recalled, but no longer owned, a set of 6" Alpina rims. Having found no trace of such a width among examples and documentary sources, however, over the course of 8 years, I have now dismissed the possibility of a 6" Alpina rim as a CMR factory offering. I will be happy to be proved wrong: just show me the rims! There is, however, a 6 x 14” version of Alpina steelie manufactured by Lemmerz and designed for the NK. Perhaps that is the source of the confusion.  

 

Borrani steel rims were offered in 5", 5.5", 6", and 6.5" widths. Examples wider than 6.5" were likely modified after leaving the factory, and examples have been modified to a great many different widths -- I've seen widths ranging from 7" to 10"!

 

My conclusions are based on a relatively small population of examples, 166 rims. I’ve largely stopped collecting examples by now, unless I see something that expands the date or model range, or the style or content of the data stampings. Attached are my examples.

 

The entry I first initiated on 7-10-12 -- found below, posting #38 on page 2 of this string -- contains a listing of my observations to date, prepared on the basis of the attached pdf summary (which is also attached to posting 38 of this thread).

 

Thanks kindly for all your input.  The following represents your work and contributions.  I'm just the compiler!

 

Steve

 

 

 

IMG_0565.JPG

IMG_0727.JPG

IMG_1056.JPG

 

7E41693B-91A5-4374-9BB8-3D38906B12AB.jpeg

1976 2002 Polaris, 2742541 (original owner)

1973 2002tii Inka, 2762757 (not-the-original owner)

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I have 5 borranis bought off of eBay Germany.

Woilgane help do the deal. People in Germany do not like to sell stuff to US consumers. I can email you pics..I do all my car stuff on the iPhone.

Wife bought a new desk top and I'm forbidden to use in fear of viruses.

I had a set of borranies several years ago they where stamped with the complete Boranni name not the entails. The where sold locally never to be seen again.

All my borranis are triangle holds.

Borranista!!!!!!

Chris Hutton

72 02tii Ceylon 2761758

71 02 Sunroof Riviera 2574316

68 1600 Bristol 1565358

88 535is sold

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Quote
I have 5 borranis bought off of eBay Germany.

Woilgane help do the deal. People in Germany do not like to sell stuff to US consumers. I can email you pics..I do all my car stuff on the iPhone.

Wife bought a new desk top and I'm forbidden to use in fear of viruses.

I had a set of borranies several years ago they where stamped with the complete Boranni name not the entails. The where sold locally never to be seen again.

All my borranis are triangle holds.

Borranista!!!!!!

 

Thanks, Chris. If you're not going through the Forum's e-mail button, my e-mail is:

 

khfstc AT aol DOT com

 

Hmmm? Marked "Borrani" rather than "CMR"? Maybe very early, maybe very late, maybe sub-contracted and not produced in the CMR factory? I'd love to know the date on those (probably back in Germany by now)!

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

Edited by Conserv

1976 2002 Polaris, 2742541 (original owner)

1973 2002tii Inka, 2762757 (not-the-original owner)

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Just pulled them from the shed

Got 5 6x13 stamped CMR manufactured 2/74

Triangle holes of course.

Will email pics if needed

Chris Hutton

72 02tii Ceylon 2761758

71 02 Sunroof Riviera 2574316

68 1600 Bristol 1565358

88 535is sold

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Just pulled them from the shed

Got 5 6x13 stamped CMR manufactured 2/74

Triangle holes of course.

Will email pics if needed

Thanks, Chris. Pics not needed. They should be marked R1-528 (ET17) or R1-561 (ET30): both ET's appear to work on 2002's.

Regards,

Steve

1976 2002 Polaris, 2742541 (original owner)

1973 2002tii Inka, 2762757 (not-the-original owner)

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I had a set of 4 Alpina steelies (all ROUND holes) 6 x 13 stamped 4/71. That is all I recall, other than the fact that they easily fit over big front brakes a la Volvo/Girling calipers.

too many fish, not enough time

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I had a set of 4 Alpina steelies (all ROUND holes) 6 x 13 stamped 4/71. That is all I recall, other than the fact that they easily fit over big front brakes a la Volvo/Girling calipers.

But that's helpful, Marty, as my forum and ad searches didn't yet record a single 6x13 Alpina wheel, only 5" and 5 1/2".

Thanks,

Steve

1976 2002 Polaris, 2742541 (original owner)

1973 2002tii Inka, 2762757 (not-the-original owner)

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Some pics I have

Thanks, Daniel. I believe that your 6.5s were among the first I found, as they're well-represented in the forum (and your beautiful car is often shown)!

But about those '67 Alpina's. 13"? 14"?

Much appreciated,

Steve

1976 2002 Polaris, 2742541 (original owner)

1973 2002tii Inka, 2762757 (not-the-original owner)

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I prefer the "poor man's" alternative, the 5x13 Opel Kadet Rallye:

Thanks. Not the subject of this data collection effort, but perhaps a future one! (I'm also very fond of the Opel wheels and have 5x13 Lemmerz and Kronprinz examples dating from 9/76 through 5/85. I seem to recall yours are '67 vintage examples in the same 5x13 size, which suggests an impressively-long production cycle!)

Regards,

Steve

1976 2002 Polaris, 2742541 (original owner)

1973 2002tii Inka, 2762757 (not-the-original owner)

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They should be marked R1-528 (ET17) or R1-561 (ET30): both ET's appear to work on 2002's.

Regards,

Steve

That's a great bit of information! Like you've likely read before I have two sets of 13x6 et30, one from '74 and another '80, but I have one odd 5th wheel in the lesser offset. It doesn't have any direct etXX number like the et30 of my others. Now I can compare your numbers above to bee sure if it's an et17 or other.

Learn something new every day!

THANKS!

Oh, and of course I'll let everyone know if my odd 13x6 CMR wheel is anything other than et17 (I.E. what the R1-5xx number is).

Tom Jones

BMW mechanic for over 25 years, BMWCCA since 1984
66 BMW16oo stored, 67 1600-2 lifelong project, 2 more 67-8 1600s, 86 528e 5sp 585k, 91 318i
Mom&Dad's, 65 1800TiSA, 70 2800, 72 2002Tii 2760007 orig owners, 15 Z4 N20

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