BBS Wheel fitment?

[sbmackie]

I am looking at some BBS wheels. The seller says they are 16 x 7.5 and 8.5 and the ET's are (front) 5.0 and (rear) 5.25. Does that make any sense? I'm used to seeing ET's like 11 and 23.

They are also one piece. Other then the obvious, what are the differences between the one and three piece BBS wheels?

Want to know what I might be buying.

Thanks
Scott

[Jeff Alton]

you are seeing back space numbers in inches, not ET. Without having the wheels here to measure it is hard to tell, but experience tells me the front based on those numbers is between 20 and 25mm offset and the rear is approx 13mm.

But, have him measure overall width, lip to lip, and backspace, from the inner lip edge down to the hub pad, then we can get a more accurate idea of offset.

Cheers

[RaceProEngineer]

Originally Posted by sbmackie

They are also one piece. Other then the obvious, what are the differences between the one and three piece BBS wheels?
Want to know what I might be buying.

Hi Scott,

Jumping in here to finish up where Jeff left off -

The older "basket weave" style BBS wheels were favorites of ours when we were racing our 911. The one-piece wheels about which you are inquiring are exactly the same as the ones we used for our rain tires. They are known as Model RG, while the 3-piece, 34-bolt street wheels from that period were known as Model RS.

Fronts were 20 pounds each, about 4 pounds heavier than the comparable size RS. Just as Jeff surmised, the “5” you were told is correct, but refers to backspace, in inches.

Rears were 22 pounds each, and about 5 pounds heavier than the comparable size RS-style. Again, just as Jeff surmised, the “5½” you were told is equally correct, and refers to backspace, in inches.

These fit easily on SCs and Carreras, with good clearance, and without spacers. If you really NEED the offset numbers, they can easily be calculated from TOTAL wheel width (8” fronts and 9” rears), and backspace.

These are very rugged wheels, and actually better suited to road use than the more delicate RS-style. Like ALL BBS wheels, they are very rigid, and offer excellent brake cooling characteristics.

Call if you have further questions - 607 535 4237.

Ed LoPresti

[sbmackie]

Jeff and Ed,
Thanks for the good input. Ed, thanks for the offer, I'll call at a more civilized hour. Are you of the Lopresti airplane modification family?

Cheers
Scott

[RaceProEngineer]

Hi Scott,

All we LoPresti s are related in some fashion, tracing back to "the old country". As far as we can tell, however, the Airplane Branch and the Racecar Branch are not directly related. Many people automatically assume we are because of our interest in, and work with, aerodynamics.

Best,
Ed

[RaceProEngineer]

Scott,

Just to verify that we are, in fact, referring to the same wheels, I located a old photo of the BBS in question:



Ed

[sbmackie]

Ed,
Thanks for the pics and the education.

Cheers
Scott

[Jeff Alton]

Ed is the real deal, good fellow!

Cheers

[RaceProEngineer]

Hi Scott,

I enjoyed our conversation, and it sounds like you have an opportunity on a VERY NICE set of wheels there - well cared-for. It is hard to beat BBS wheels - they sort of set the standards.

If, however, we were looking for NEW wheels, BBS or otherwise, Jeff would be our first telephone call. I do not want this to sound like a mutual-admiration society here, but when an individual works in devising and developing processes to actually MAKE wheels and wheel parts, that speaks volumes for his knowledge!

Ed

[sbmackie]

Jeff/Ed
Got the wheels. Rim to Rim (outer diameter) is 9 and 8, inner diameter is 8.25 or so and 7.25 or so. Backspacing (depth to pad) is 5.25 and 5.0

PO took them off a mid 80's Carrera with no spacers.

Do tire manufacturers use the outer rim or inner rim (bead width) to determine max and min wheel sizes for there tires? I'd like to put 205's and 225's on these wheels if they will fit due better selection of tires that will work as street tires/rainy day AX or track tires.
Thanks to both for your insights.
Scott