BBS Mahle Lugnut Seat Issue

[72MetallicMalaga]

I picked up a used set of 13" Mahles, and it looks like the lugnut seat is ball seat, but i'm not 100% sure. Looks like maybe it's been worn over the years, it's almost got two steps on the inside edge.

I have a set of ball seat lugs that fit fine, but also a set of 60deg tapered ones that seem to fit fine too. The tapered ones have a sharper end that sort of goes into the hole to further grab the stud, but not sure if you guys have any advice or experience with these? 

 

 

[tzei]

Step might be due wheel having steel mating faces for lug nuts. Either way there should not be any paint on the mating surfaces. Tightening torque will be wrong & wheels could come loose. Same goes for wheel to hub surface - no powder coating!

 

Last pic hole looks different... steel bit missing?

[visionaut]

FWIW, I’ve never heard of Mahles with a ball seat…

 

I suspect they’re very-worn conical seats. (wear from loose nuts, wear from wrong nuts).

[72MetallicMalaga]

5 minutes ago, visionaut said:

FWIW, I’ve never heard of Mahles with a ball seat…

 

I suspect they’re very-worn conical seats. (wear from loose nuts, wear from wrong nuts).

That's interesting! A post on the E9 Coupe forum says the opposite lmao. Ugh i'll try wire wheeling that paint off, maybe get a better look at the mating surface.

 

Thanks guys.

[visionaut]

29 minutes ago, 72MetallicMalaga said:

That's interesting! A post on the E9 Coupe forum says the opposite lmao

They might be right / I’ve just never see one..

[stephers]

Call a BBS supplier      see what they say

[tech71]

I wonder, perhaps some/ most if not all of that will disappear when you clean that thick new looking paint out of there 

[SydneyTii]

If they are buggered can’t you get new seats fitted?

[HBChris]

It was my post on e9coupe that started this discussion.  My tire guy noticed the difference when I bought new tires for my 7x14 BBS Mahle BMW wheels on my e12 and told me I needed the Mercedes style ball seat.  I bought a set from Mesa Performance and all was good.  I am not saying all BBS wheels use that seat but it was obvious on my wheels.