14 inch wheels

[Mike Brewer]

Hi once more fellow wedgers!My 84 350i,34th car built,is on 14inch series1 cross spokes.I believe they should be 15inch,has anyone else encountered this?I have bills showing the same tyre size in 88'.Also i would like to update mirrors if poss,anybody got any?Any ideas if another cars would suit?Cheers Mike

[SEVANS]

Don't know what your original wheel size should have been, but I believe 14" was standard in 1983, not sure when this changed to 15". I guess this may not be relevant now as it would be a good idea to upgrade to 15" anyway to get the better performance tyres. Set for sale in the classifieds :www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=27110&s=7
It should be possible to upgrade the door mirrors to the later pod style on the doors (aka SE's SEAC's etc. Haven't done it yet but this is one of the upgrades I have planned. The pods are available from TET mouldings and the inners are Rover SD1. Don't know what's involved in wiring it all up but it shouldn't be to difficult.

[jchase]

I had clearance problems with 15" wheels on my 1980 2+2 FHC, especially at the rear. I'm running 14" stock wheels now with great Firestone tyres. Why do you feel the need for 15" wheels ?

-Jim

[SEVANS]

jchase said:

I had clearance problems with 15" wheels on my 1980 2+2 FHC, especially at the rear. I'm running 14" stock wheels now with great Firestone tyres. Why do you feel the need for 15" wheels ? -Jim

Just felt that the lower profile Bridgestone SO2's were the best all round option so swapped the 14" wheels on my 1983 Tasmin 200 for 15" ones and haven't got any clearance problems. Maybe the 2+2 is different or is the ride height very low?

[jchase]

Interesting..

I used 205/60/15 as per the TVR owner's manual, which had clearance problems with the outside of the tyre touching the inner wheel well .

I think the Tasmin Challenge people use 205/50/15 is this what you are running ?

-Jim

[tvrman01]

Mike

If you are considering upgrading to the later pod style mirrors then there is a set on ebay at the moment.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=9886&item=7919161616&rd=1

It looks like they are complete, although I think that you will probably have to do some simple modifications to your existing door looms? Maybe the seller could help you out there, since it appears that he is currently breaking a complete 350i?

[sevans]

jchase said:

Interesting.. I used 205/60/15 as per the TVR owner's manual, which had clearance problems with the outside of the tyre touching the inner wheel well . I think the Tasmin Challenge people use 205/50/15 is this what you are running ? -Jim

Yep, 205/50/15's. I guess this explains it.

[19560]

jchase said:

I used 205/60/15 as per the TVR owner's manual, which had clearance problems with the outside of the tyre touching the inner wheel well. I think the Tasmin Challenge people use 205/50/15 is this what you are running?

Jim, you have a Tasmin don't you? The owners manual states a 205/60/14 as standard not the tyre above. The 205/55/15 as per the Griff is probably the tyre of choice and is available in SO2PP or T1-S/T1-R rubber, it's less than 1% out in rolling radius. The 205/50/15 is about 2.5% out in rolling radius and gives a greater choice of UHP rubber. Nobody makes there current UHP tyre in 14". Even so if you were having clearance problems then it's almost certain that your springs need to be replaced. There should be 40-100 mm clearance depending on which day your car was built and who you speak to but a switch from 205/60/14 to 205/60/15 is only (in clearance terms) a 12.7 mm increase in radius and so should fit ok with the correct springs.

[19560]

Mike Brewer said:

Hi once more fellow wedgers!My 84 350i,34th car built,is on 14inch series1 cross spokes.I believe they should be 15inch,has anyone else encountered this?I have bills showing the same tyre size in 88'.Also i would like to update mirrors if poss,anybody got any?Any ideas if another cars would suit?Cheers Mike

With it being an early car it is possible that it left the factory with 14" Tasmin wheels but I think that to be highly unlikely. Much more likely that someone hit the original wheels and replaced them with a set of Tasmin/280 ones.

[wedget]

I had a set of 16" on mine with 225/55/16 no probs with rubbing and mine was slammed to the floor, Did suffer some ground clearance issues though

[19560]

wedget said:

I had a set of 16" on mine with 225/55/16 no probs with rubbing and mine was slammed to the floor, Did suffer some ground clearance issues though

That's also 9% out on rolling radius
A 225/45/16 is spot on.

[tallbloke]

Mike Brewer said:

Hi once more fellow wedgers!My 84 350i,34th car built,is on 14inch series1 cross spokes.

This is interesting. I also have an early 350i, A reg 1983. The previous owner told me it around number 35 of the first 40 built with TASMIN logos on the wings.

Mine has 15" wheels.

[wedget]

19560 said:

wedget said: I had a set of 16" on mine with 225/55/16 no probs with rubbing and mine was slammed to the floor, Did suffer some ground clearance issues though That's also 9% out on rolling radius A 225/45/16 is spot on.

Did originally have 225/50/16s but found the ride too harsh and although lots more grip when it went sideways it was a bit too sudden for my liking,

[19560]

wedget said:

Did originally have 225/50/16s but found the ride too harsh and although lots more grip when it went sideways it was a bit too sudden for my liking,

Hmm. IMHO it would have been better and cheaper to adjust the dampers or fit softer springs. Never mind you've sold it now so the decision lies with the new owner.