1979 BMW 320 Wheels on a GT

[opelbits]

Eh, there has been some mention of the BMW wheels of that era being used on GTs and what not in other threads. I figured I'd post a new thread so that it is easier to find this.

I picked up a set of the 13"x5.5" turbine style 320 wheels last week and just tried them on my GT.

They fit really nice, which I expected, but I took some pics to post so anyone interested in these wheels can see just what they look like on a GT.

A little info on my car as a reference:
-75 Manta brakes (rotors, calipers, backing plates, and the hubs)
-lowered front (not sure why as I see no evidence of a sportspring and I do not think it is a 1.1 front spring, but my car sits much lower than most GTs)

The BMW rims are 13"x5.5" with a +18 mm offset (ET18) from a 1979 320. The tires are some old Pirelli P400s, 175/70/13, not my first choice, but hey they were $100 for four wheels with tires!

As was noted in another thread, stock Opel lugs are not suitable, use the 'bulge' type lugnuts. They are slightly different from the normal tapered seat lugs in that the lug taper is larger in diameter than the standard taper style. Since the BMW uses a lug bolt with a larger diameter, the lug holes in the BMW wheel are slightly larger than the lug holes in the Opel wheels. To get a proper fit, install the bulge style nuts and screw them on evenly by hand until they are snug, then tighten. This allows the wheel to center itself on the lugs and not get 'pinched' and be tightened off center. It's not a big deal, just don't run a lug nut down and tighten it before getting the others in decent contact with the wheel (you, know, like those guys at the repair shops do with the air wrenches...).

Anyway, on to the pics....

[opelbits]

A few more...

[BMWonly]

One of the best tire sizes for the BMW turbines 5.5 x 13 are 205/60HR13. They fill the wheel wells almost perfectly. Would be even better if I lowered the front, I know ...

Also any period BBS wheels fit the GT very well. Pictured here is a 6x14 with 195/60 HR14 tires.

I am running a set of BBS 15x7 on my 1981 320i, those would look good on a GT as well.

[Gordy]

There are 2 steel/rubber front spring seats which the leaf spring rides in and if someone re-did the front end and did not reinstall these the front end will sit lower than it should. Take a look and see if they are on your car.

[opelbits]

B-

Very nice car you have there. The color shows off the lines nicely. I always did like the basket weave wheels. The 14x6 is a much better size for the GT, but a lot harder to find.

Gordy-

Thanks, you may very well be right. I wouldn't say anyone has 'redone' the front, that would imply new parts wouldn't it? Nothing new that I haven't put on myself. I did notice some asphalt shingle material used between the spring leafs, though......I'll look to see if those pieces are there.

[opelbits]

By the way, here is a pic of some Ronals on a 2002 in a yard near me. I may end up getting those and another set of the turbines. The turbines are 13x5.5 and the Ronals might be 13x6...maybe.

Well, I thought I'd post the pic, but it's not showing up and "it" says it has already been uploaded. Nevermind my identity, they're stealing my attachments!

[jtb]

If anyone is looking for these wheels, try searching for BMW E21 in addition to 1979 BMW 320

HTH

jtb

[lkyrog]

I found my slotted wheels on evil bay 3 years ago advertised as "Shelby Slot Mags for 1980 BMW new in box" from canada......nice fit and nicer looking.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k1...eendesktop.jpg

[BMWonly]

I just came across this cool feature on the BBS website. You can download a picture of your own car (side view works best), and put all kinds of (newer) BBS wheels on the car, change the position and the size, and even save the picture on your computer:

http://www.bbs.com/en/configurator/configurator.html

Dieter