X5M/X6/X6M wheel wont fit on X5 without boring out the rear wheel: Myth or Fact

[note46]

So it all started here: http://www.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=930926

I've been wanting to buy the 300m wheels for a little while and when I saw Die Wolfes thread I PMed and we agreed on a price. I had already done my homework sort of speak and purchased all the required items to mount the X5M wheels on my X5D. Last weekend I picked up the wheels. But of course not all of the stuff I ordered was delivered. The last of the needed item was delivered today.

So Myth #1. HR 74.1 to 72.6 15mm spacer/adapter wont work because the holes are too small. These spacers were originally marketed for E39 5 series which used M12 wheel bolts but the X5 uses M14 so logic would dictate that the holes are too small.



In reality the hole size is fine. Now this probably wont work with the 20mm version of the spacer because that one bolts to your hub and then the wheel bolts to the hub itself. The 15mm version is just a spacer and has not threads of any kind.

Myth #2. The spacer wont mate to the hub correctly. For some unseen reason it wont work!



As you can see it fits fine. Now my hub was rusted to hell so I had to use my wire wheel to clean it off. Some of the brownish color is just anti-seize I put on the hub so it doesn't get stuck. Only thing I had to use was my rubber mallet since it was a tight fit.




So in conclusion it works and works fine. In fact the extra 15mm pushes the wheels right to the edge of the wider fender flares





Honestly it seems there was a lot of internet speculation on what ifs and why it wont work and no one really thought out why it would work and hell just try it.

Now I did have to spend $130 on spacers and another $45 buying longer bolts but now the wheels can be sold for X5M/X6/X6M/X5 I spent about the same as I would have had to if I had the rear bored out to 74.1


Some part numbers and urls
for longer M14x1.25 wheel bolts for use with 13mm-16mm Wheel Spacer (TWH9961A43) ($4.50 each x10)
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-44...-mini-r56.aspx

for HR 15mm 74.1mm to 72.6mm spacer/adapter ($129.95)
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Hub_Adapter/ES1899557/

[Draper]

That's awesome to hear!

I have been looking into this for quite some time and was fully convinced they would not fit. Lots of info here. http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-e70-x5-3.html

Post more pics of the final result.

[Sylvan Lake V35]

I had a set of wheels bored out to fit my X5d it cost $150 and I use $5 hub rings when I want to use them on my X5M.....so similar cost but if spacers are required then yes you did come out ahead.
Good info and thanks for sharing it, I heard mixed stories that the adapters wouldn't fit either so I would have tried them as well.

[Die Wolfe]

Awesome man, so good to hear that it worked out for you! I can't wait to see your pics with them all mounted on!

[note46]

Originally Posted by Sylvan Lake V35

I had a set of wheels bored out to fit my X5d it cost $150 and I use $5 hub rings when I want to use them on my X5M.....so similar cost but if spacers are required then yes you did come out ahead.
Good info and thanks for sharing it, I heard mixed stories that the adapters wouldn't fit either so I would have tried them as well.

Yeah I heard/read the same but when I reasoned everything out in my head, I didn't see any reason why they wouldn't work

BTW I did find cheaper adapters but they weren't HR so I didn't want to take a chance.

http://www.amazon.com/5x120-Wheel-Sp...to+72.6+spacer

I've seen these for as low as $85.

[note46]

Originally Posted by jzbm3

That's awesome to hear!

I have been looking into this for quite some time and was fully convinced they would not fit. Lots of info here. http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-e70-x5-3.html

Post more pics of the final result.

I did run across that thread as well. But I was convinced they would fit

[note46]

Originally Posted by Die Wolfe

Awesome man, so good to hear that it worked out for you! I can't wait to see your pics with them all mounted on!

I hope to install the front fender flares this weekend and finish mounting the front wheels So far just with the rears mounted, the car looks great!


Thanks again

[Die Wolfe]

Originally Posted by note46

I hope to install the front fender flares this weekend and finish mounting the front wheels So far just with the rears mounted, the car looks great!


Thanks again

Of course man, thanks for the business!

[troymi]

Great write up. As you know from our other thread, I'm going a similar path. I ordered the spacer/adapter from Motorsports Tech that should be in later this week. Also, I have X5M specific wheels (298) for winter enroute.

Although we will accomplish the same result, we are just using different solutions. I'll be sure to follow your thread and post my results when I'm finished with the install.

Thanks for your insight. I'll be looking forward to your ride experiences as well.

[isugoo]

good educational thread!

[note46]

Originally Posted by troymi

Great write up. As you know from our other thread, I'm going a similar path. I ordered the spacer/adapter from Motorsports Tech that should be in later this week. Also, I have X5M specific wheels (298) for winter enroute.

Although we will accomplish the same result, we are just using different solutions. I'll be sure to follow your thread and post my results when I'm finished with the install.

Thanks for your insight. I'll be looking forward to your ride experiences as well.

More information out there to combat the myth the better! We might be the pioneers for the hub adapter to mount X6/5M wheel on X5!

[P1]

How about some proper pics mate?

[note46]

Originally Posted by P1et

How about some proper pics mate?

Coming this weekend. Started a new job and commuting into SF from the eastbay. Ask anyone, that is a minor traffic nightmare each morning/evening.

[n3985]

Good job OP.

I too had a similar ordeal with my winter wheels and tires.

I bought a set of wheels off an E53 4.8is which is 72.6mm front hub and 74.1mm rear hub.

Quick call to ECSTuning and bought a pair of the same H&R 15mm spacer/adapter 72.6 to 74.1 along with longer OEM wheel bolts and everything came together.

[X2Board]

Good deal! That opens up a whole new market when the time comes to sell my wheels!

[note46]

Finally took some time off and finished swapping the brake pads with dust less ones and put the front wheel on. I swapped out my stock flat fender flares with the wider ones and those 20" sure fill them in nicely! The rear is nearly flush with the wider fenders thanks to the 15mm spacer/hub adapters. I think even if I didn't need them, I would add them, the look alone is worth the small price

[DFR]

Car looks great!

[Die Wolfe]

Awesome! I'm glad it all worked out!