E61 V8 Bearding

[ATM]

I'm going the other way. Been thinking about some 17 inches for winter. I believe the 550i shares the discs with the 535d and both of these can accommodate a 17 inch wheel. Does anyone know which of the OEM wheels will fit?

[Jobbo]

Although the SE versions of the E60 545i and 550i had their own design of 17" wheels, they're just the same size as other 17" wheels available on other E60s I believe. So any E60 17" alloys should work.

[smashie]

My 550i came with 17" 122 style alloys. Bought a set of the same to stick winters on.

[philmots]

That must be a massively tight fit, with my 18" mv2 I can't even fit my wheel brush between the inside wheel and caliper. The stem of the brush us around 5mm.

[ATM]

philmots said:

That must be a massively tight fit, with my 18" mv2 I can't even fit my wheel brush between the inside wheel and caliper. The stem of the brush us around 5mm.

I think it depends on the thickness and shape of the rim itself. I switched from some lowish quality 18 inch rims to some oz's on my e46 and there was much more clearance on the oz rims.

[hornetrider]

Phil - did I read somewhere you'd swapped the bulbs in your angel eyes from yellow to white? I take it that's easy to do - got a bulb link?

[philmots]

ATM said:

philmots said:

That must be a massively tight fit, with my 18" mv2 I can't even fit my wheel brush between the inside wheel and caliper. The stem of the brush us around 5mm.

I think it depends on the thickness and shape of the rim itself. I switched from some lowish quality 18 inch rims to some oz's on my e46 and there was much more clearance on the oz rims.

I never thought of that !!

[philmots]

hornetrider said:

Phil - did I read somewhere you'd swapped the bulbs in your angel eyes from yellow to white? I take it that's easy to do - got a bulb link?

Yes..

Not too bad, headlights need to come out, 2 torx and 2 8mm bolts each side then a bit of a wiggle.

Then patience and persistence as they're not the easiest to get to even with the unit infront of you.

I used these... http://www.hids-direct.co.uk/mtec-ver-3-6w-cree-le...

You can get a lot cheaper ones on eBay which may be brighter now but I had this make in my old 335 with no issue and these have been in a year now with no issues at all so I'd happily recommend. Buy cheap buy twice etc.

I may be tempted to try these though if bought again... http://www.hids-direct.co.uk/24w-cree-xml-led-bmw-...

[hornetrider]

75 quid!

...how did I get these from bmw5 then?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131473979090?_trksid=p20...

[philmots]

They're nothing like the bulbs for your angel eyes. Assuming yours has xenons? Sure I remember that it does.

[Spuffington]

smashie said:

My 550i came with 17" 122 style alloys. Bought a set of the same to stick winters on.

I ran mine on the style-138 with winters fitted on my 550i. And the style-172 19's during summer.

The 17's were a snug fit, but just cleared the calipers with a fag paper to spare!

Edited by Spuffington on Tuesday 3rd November 16:37

[philmots]

Does anyone else think these would look ridiculous on the front wings just above or below the side indicator?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/161757322719

I'm hugely keen on cars looking standard and factory, and hate silly additions, but.. I'm proud of my V8! The font of them don't look a million miles away from BMW's lettering either.

[hornetrider]

I don't need to even click the link.

The answer is no.

[dom9]

As Churchill would say.... Oh, no, no, no, no.

[hornetrider]

philmots said:

I used these... http://www.hids-direct.co.uk/mtec-ver-3-6w-cree-le...

Just checking... given there's 4 rings, and this pack contains two bulbs, this is a £150 upgrade? Don't think I can be arsed with that!

[philmots]

It's one 'light unit' for each side.. So that pack of two does both your lights.

It's the halogens that take a bulb like you linked before per ring, and even then they're nowhere near as defined as the rings on our xenons.

I'd probably take a punt on that £40 set i linked to, they appear to be a higher wattage so could be brighter. They're not that visible in bright sunlight either way.

[hornetrider]

Super confused now.

So one bulb lights up the two halo rings in each headlight unit?

[hornetrider]

Oh btw. Regarding your Halfords tat V8 badging, how about this as an alternative. Simply swap for your borrrrinnng BMW propellor on the bonnet.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAR-BADGE-BMW-V-8-CAR-CL...

[philmots]

hornetrider said:

Super confused now.

So one bulb lights up the two halo rings in each headlight unit?

Yeah

[ATM]

philmots said:

ATM said:

philmots said:

That must be a massively tight fit, with my 18" mv2 I can't even fit my wheel brush between the inside wheel and caliper. The stem of the brush us around 5mm.

I think it depends on the thickness and shape of the rim itself. I switched from some lowish quality 18 inch rims to some oz's on my e46 and there was much more clearance on the oz rims.

I never thought of that !!

550i only has a 345mm disc. I have 355mm discs and massive 6 pot AP calipers on my e46 and some people say these can fit under some 17 inch wheels. I'm happy to take a punt on some oem 17 inch wheels in the hope they'll fit my big bus now that I know that.

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/BMW_5+Series_4.8...