Hartge Wheel Quest

[jamesk]

Hope you guys can point me in the right direction.

I have an E34 540i and want to make some minor mods to it. Cant really justify spending £1500 on new alloys/tires for a car 7 years old so wondered how to go about sourcing a second hand set. Anyone got any or know a good place to look (apart from usual ads etc)

Also, I am coming aross more hens teeth than information about exhaust mods for a V8 BMW! Surely someone must offer some system or at least a back box! Its a crime having such a great engine so muffled I tells ya...

[m-five]

Have you tried motorforce

>> Edited by m-five on Monday 20th January 18:54

[jamesk]

Ta for the link. I've fired off an email and we'll see what comes back

I dont want to "max-power" the car but some tasteful bits and pieces would be great. Its a wonderfully competent car I have to say. 2nd hand it was a steal but they seem so rare. I guess from new people either got an M5 or a smaller more affordable engined model?

[Cotty]

good luc in your quest. I really like HARTGE stuff as it tends to be a little more subtle than the competition

[chriswalker]

Try Birds UK Ltd, they are the uk importer for Hartge, the number is 01895 810850

[pdavison]

Have a look at www.bmwcarshowroom.com - they usually have a good selection of both private sales and breakers.

Good luck.

[raceboy]

And if anyones intersted I might be able to point you in the direction of a very good Hartge number plate

[m-five]

Just found out that Birds have a few 'special offer' Hartge e34 wheels in 9.5x19 size.

The best part is they are going for about £200 each. The bad part is there are no tyres included (but what do you expect for £200). 255/35 Z19 should do the trick on the rear and probably 245/35 Z19 on the front.

If you're interested give them a ring and quote item number 36450888

Or download the list from www.birds.uk.com/bmw/stock_mod_bmw.xls

[Jamesk]

Thanks guys.

9.5 x 19

Will those go straight on or would any tinkering be required? They sound massive! I'll have to check my current sizes - I have a feeling that I'd need things adjusted as the rolling circumferance (sp?) would be different.

[m-five]

The standard wheels on my M5 are 18x8 and 18x9 and the tyres are 245/40 Z18 all round.

The 19" wheels would fit mine fine, but I am not sure what your standard size wheels/tyres are and hence can't work out the correct 'plus sizing'.

Can you give me your tyre size and I will work it out.

[jamesk]

Right just checked the sizes - as i suspected

I have 7x16 wheels with 225x55 R16 tyres all round.

I guess that means trouble...

[m-five]

No trouble at all.

Your original wheel works out to a diameter of 25.74 inches and of you use 245/35 Z19 tyres your new diameter would be 25.75 inches which is as closer than it would be were you to swap worn tyres to new tyres.

If you go for 255/35 Z19 then you are still only 1% bigger than standard which is well within tolerance. This may give you a little rubbing, but I know people using 265/35 on their E34's without rubbing so mileage may vary.

I would recommend the 245/35 Z19 all round!

>> Edited by m-five on Monday 17th February 15:09

[jamesk]

Thanks alot for your help on this.

Your recommendation has confused me though. Do you mean the 245x35 Z19 as you originally said? I assume the Z18's are too small for the rims?

[m-five]

That's what I said wasn't it

[jamesk]

so it was....

[Jamesk]

Checking the Birds website - the Hartge wheel and tyre options they do include 8.5x19 fronts and 9.5x19 rears. With 245x35 Z18's they still say that car will require:

Turning back of rear wheel arch flanges
&
Fitting of a steering rack limiter

Looks like reworking the rear bumper panel and front arch panel may also be needed.

Not sure i cba to go through all that with the cost that entails..

[m-five]

Those mods should only be required if you go for the 9.5" wheels.

If you go for the 8.5" all round with 245 width tyres you should have the same clearance as on an M5 as 245 is the standard width and doesn't rub at all (well, except when 'hitting' a apex at 100mph) unless the arches are wider on an M5????.

If you are really worried then go for the 235 profile on the front and 245 on the back to give the staggered look, but on 8.5" rims all round - should cost a bit less for the rims and rubber.

Unfortunately the 8.5" wheels are full price at around £2k - the 9.5" rims are on offer for £1200.

Is it worth the hassle? Only you know that. You could go for some M5 replica wheels and get hubcentric adapters for less than £1200 including tyres.

e.g.
http://website.lineone.net/~motormec/alloy.html
www.premier-wheels.co.uk/indexa.htm

Or you could get some lightweight BBS RC rims in 18x8 with tyres for £1600.

>> Edited by m-five on Tuesday 18th February 15:44