Alpina 16" rims... I need the low down

[TMK-001]

Hey all,

I know a few cars on here have Alpina 16" rims on their cars and I was wondering how well they fit (Do I need to do some inner guard massaging?) and how much and where they came from...

Are there replica's that fit or stick to originals?

I'm very keen, but I need to sort out the finances. Dont get worried about more 2002s having them, as I will never be seen along side your car at another show - I'm like the furtherest away from everybody!

Post some pics up here if you could be so kind too!

Cheers,

Todd

[Gordon]

I've never seen 16" Alpina wheels in 4 lug, I've only seen them in five lug for E3/E9/E12 etc.. models

G-Man

[oz_tom]

I've never seen 16" Alpina wheels in 4 lug, I've only seen them in five lug for E3/E9/E12 etc.. models

G-Man

They are around...ie. e21's, e30's...and Cris on this board has them on his beauty of a car!

[Guest Anonymous]

Gordon,

Alpina did make 16x7 wheels in 4x100 lug pattern for E30 318/325 models. You will have to roll the fender lips just as you would for a 15x7 wheel that was made for an E30 model. The wheels are not cheap as KSK distributing in Burbank,CA has them in a catalog from 2001 (the price has no doubt gone up since then) for $659.00 each!!!!!

shermanmartinez@hotmail.com

[Beaner7102]

Todd, Alpina Australia have them for an E30, offset of 28mm in 7 x 16 size wheels only. They are fully reconditioned and have them in stock at the moment. But will cost approx $2k for the 4 wheels - That was 6 months ago. Send an email to Mr. Imre Szakall :- ALPINAAUSTRALIA (at) bigpond.com for details. They also have fully rebuilt LSD diffs, pic your ratio (even custom ratio for racing i.e. 4.11, 4.5, 4.75) they are a mear $2500, but are rock sollid. Beaner7102

[cj]

No fender massage necessary. Fits like a charm. I use 204/40r16's. And yes they are real Alpina e30 wheels.

[TMK-001]

CJ,

Do you have any front wheel arch fouling at all? My Bottlecaps foul now with 195/65/14s on there.

I will have a look at Alpina Australia - not sure if it is worth getting 2nd hand. I think I would go rims over the LSD anyway.

Also, CJ are you running 16x7 on all four corners? One thing I just thought of was I wonder if you can get that many tyre options for 16s in OZ, I remember when my Mum had her old Merc wagon it had 16s on it and they were difficult to get rims for.

Cheers,

Todd

[cj]

195/65's are too tall. Also inspect the bumpstop that rides on the strut rod. This part does wear out allowing too much suspension travel. Also, as it ages, the compression rate lowers due to wear. It's one of those parts that always overlooked. Even Bilsteins with internal bumpstops wear out. When Bilsteins leak, it's not as visible due to its inverted construction. However, the shock oil leaks out onto the internal bumpstop and starts deteriotating the cellular foam. I'm running 7's all around.

Cris

[TMK-001]

Thanks for that info, I have brand new KONI racing shocks on it - well two years old with about 12 months of driving on them.

Now I have been thinking about the 16" tyre issues - not sure where to go now... Maybe ADVAN AO32Rs? :-D Then I will break stuff though...

The options! Still thinking MINILITES/PANASPORTS/PERFORMANCE look also.

[cj]

What kind of condition is are the bumpstops in? A-032r's would definitly be fun. If your car is in good mechanical condition, the a032r's will work great. Way back when (late 80's), I ran a008r's on the street all the time. In the winter I'd switch back to my 14" bottlecaps.

Cris

[TMK-001]

Im not 100% sure how the bumpstops are... I will have a look at them when I am with the car again next... are you talking front or back?

I have BF/G G grips or something similar on it now and they replaced Michelins - same comany anyway - the new ones have heaps of grip! I smashed the diff with the old tyres too

[cj]

Fronts.

[Beaner7102]

My Bottlecaps foul now with 195/65/14s on there. Todd

Todd, on 14" you should be running 185/60s or 195/55s.

On the 16's run 205/40s there are several Hankook performance tyres in that size. Beaner7102

[TMK-001]

Shaun,

When I got the car it already had the 185/65s on it, so I just got them replaced, but the new ones foul a bit on the front. It looks like you are up to good stuff with your car too! Is your plan to do the 1602 up now is it?

CJ, where would I view the bumpstops - sorry n00by question.

Todd

[TMK-001]

I just had a chat to a mate who said he will have a chat to a friend who wholesales 70's and 80s BBS rims to see what he has to fit... sounds good to me!

Too many options! Hahaha