EJ333
Well-Known Member
When some use the term " turbines", are they same as FPS 14" 20 spokes as offered on coupes around 1974, or are they speaking of another type of wheel ?
BMW FPS 14" 20 spokes same as "turbines" ?
- Thread starter EJ333
- Start date
The Turbines have ridges on the sides of the spokes I believe. I think the true 20 spoke wheels, whether BMW or Alpina, get called Turbines at times but really shouldn't. Turbines started with e12, e21 and later cars.
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That's correct. I've been doing a lot of wheel research because clearly - I should be spending my time on wheels when I have a whole car to restore 
One thing I learned from RonP that wasn't readily evident here (with exception to a handful of references) is that the Late E9 20 spoke wheels came in a 14x6.5 flavor as well as a 14x7 flavor. The 14x7's aren't the Alpinas that most people reference, just a wider F.P.S. wheel. You can actually still buy them knew for about $900 a set. They are listed on realoem.com.
The E9 wheels are much better looking than the turbine wheels IMO. I just bought a set that arrive today in fact. Another topic of debate is if the black paint extends beyond the open lug section of the wheel. If you look at the pic of my wheels below, you will see that it does. I won't be repeating this odd characteristic when I repaint them.
14x6.5 F.P.S.
4 Lug Turbine: Notice the ridges on the spokes and the raised ring around the center:
One thing I learned from RonP that wasn't readily evident here (with exception to a handful of references) is that the Late E9 20 spoke wheels came in a 14x6.5 flavor as well as a 14x7 flavor. The 14x7's aren't the Alpinas that most people reference, just a wider F.P.S. wheel. You can actually still buy them knew for about $900 a set. They are listed on realoem.com.
The E9 wheels are much better looking than the turbine wheels IMO. I just bought a set that arrive today in fact. Another topic of debate is if the black paint extends beyond the open lug section of the wheel. If you look at the pic of my wheels below, you will see that it does. I won't be repeating this odd characteristic when I repaint them.
14x6.5 F.P.S.
4 Lug Turbine: Notice the ridges on the spokes and the raised ring around the center:
The more I look at these wheels the more I want to convert a set of them to some 16" 3 piece wheels!
Hey don't steal my idea! The folks over on stanceworks.com are making this routine. You can buy barrels and lips from rotiform. This is a priority "z" for me.
Haha! I have a spare set in the garage which will have to go on a lathe at some point. I'd probably use some BBS barrels and lips on mine but the rest of the car needs attention before I start cutting up wheels.