Can anyone tell me if there is any difference between the "open lug nut" 16 inch Alpinas and the "closed lug nut" version, aside from the lug nut cover and black centers of course?
thanks,
Walter
thanks,
Walter
Closed lug Alpinas
- Thread starter WALTER
- Start date
Hi Walter, the closed lug type cannot take the small pop on caps the open lug type takes, if that's what you're hoping. They are designed to only accept the lockable disc type hub cap. Also, there is a kind of ridge where the hub cap is mounted, if the middle was painted black you may not notice. Hope that makes sense.
Hi Walter, the closed lug type cannot take the small pop on caps the open lug type takes, if that's what you're hoping. They are designed to only accept the lockable disc type hub cap. Also, there is a kind of ridge where the hub cap is mounted, if the middle was painted black you may not notice. Hope that makes sense.
Thanks.
Walter- I have a set of closed lug on my coupe if you want pics.
BTW- I am installing a Megasquirt with wasted spark this week if your guy needs pinouts or a data or error file.
BTW- I am installing a Megasquirt with wasted spark this week if your guy needs pinouts or a data or error file.
Don,
PM sent.
PM sent.
I pulled the trigger and bought a nice set of closed lug Alpinas (16x7, 16x8; ET 11 and 24). I have a few questions:
1. I want to paint the centers black and get Alpina center caps to have the option of running the wheels with the "open lug" look; does anyone know if the standard Alpina center caps will work with these wheels? I measure the diameter of the opening at just under 3" or 7cm.
2. Do I need special lug nuts for these deeper than factory wheels? If so where can I source them.
3. The tires that came mounted on the wheels are 225/50's all around; shouldn't the fronts be 205/55's for optimal fitment, or will the 225's work up front?
thanks,
Walter
1. I want to paint the centers black and get Alpina center caps to have the option of running the wheels with the "open lug" look; does anyone know if the standard Alpina center caps will work with these wheels? I measure the diameter of the opening at just under 3" or 7cm.
2. Do I need special lug nuts for these deeper than factory wheels? If so where can I source them.
3. The tires that came mounted on the wheels are 225/50's all around; shouldn't the fronts be 205/55's for optimal fitment, or will the 225's work up front?
thanks,
Walter
Walter,
This thread may be of interesting reading in your plans to modify your capped Alpinas: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1104844&highlight=wokke+alpina
205/55 fronts and 225/50 rears are optimal fitments for the coupes. 225 tires up front will protrude beyond the wheel well fender lips and will undoubtedly damage both fender lips and tires during even normal driving.
This thread may be of interesting reading in your plans to modify your capped Alpinas: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1104844&highlight=wokke+alpina
205/55 fronts and 225/50 rears are optimal fitments for the coupes. 225 tires up front will protrude beyond the wheel well fender lips and will undoubtedly damage both fender lips and tires during even normal driving.
pmansson
Well-Known Member
"optimal fitments for the coupe"
I think this is very personal. Nothing is right/optimal.
I have several coupes, some on the 16" wheels and some on the original 14" wheels, where I prefer the early ones with hub caps. In my personal view, the fat rubber à la 1960s Ferraris is the coolest and also very period looking. Michelin XWX 205/70 VR 14 in classical pattern are fantastic tyres. The height of the tyres match the suspension of the car.
I find that the cars on 16" modern rubber bands have better road handling but are much harder on the car and hence the comfort suffers. That´s ok on my race and fast road cars, but for the original cruise style cars, the 14" are far superior.
Just my few cents as you say "over there".
I think this is very personal. Nothing is right/optimal.
I have several coupes, some on the 16" wheels and some on the original 14" wheels, where I prefer the early ones with hub caps. In my personal view, the fat rubber à la 1960s Ferraris is the coolest and also very period looking. Michelin XWX 205/70 VR 14 in classical pattern are fantastic tyres. The height of the tyres match the suspension of the car.
I find that the cars on 16" modern rubber bands have better road handling but are much harder on the car and hence the comfort suffers. That´s ok on my race and fast road cars, but for the original cruise style cars, the 14" are far superior.
Just my few cents as you say "over there".
I agree with you on the 16" wheels causing a harsher ride, but for me the aesthetics of the 16" Alpinas is worth it. I may be a poser, but coupes with stock rims look under wheeled to me. One thing I will try this time with adding bigger wheels is to not switch to Bilstein HDs and lowering springs along with it which is what I have done in the past. The coupe I recently bought ('74 CS) has a very nice, tight stock suspension set up, so I am going to keep it that way and see if the bigger wheels aren't as harsh with the stock ride.
Bert, thanks for the info on the tires.
Finally got the Alpinas mounted and took the car out for a ride. They wheels look great and the tires I bought (Firestone Wide Oval Indy 500, UHP summer) seem like a good choice so far. They are the quietest UHP tire I have owed and they don't sacrifice too much in the way of looks and handling despite a more generous sidewall compared other UHPs.
The setup (stock suspension, wider wheels) is surprisingly forgiving, in fact, I noticed no difference in harshness over the old 14" wheels. However, the car bottomed out on dips even at moderate speed. Has anyone out there experienced this? Is the stock suspension typically not up to the wider wheels? I did not experience any softness or other problems with the suspension with the 14" wheels.
In the past when I have switched to the wider wheels, I always did it in conjunction with other suspension "upgrades:" Bilstein HDs, CNPR Springs, bigger sway bars; however, the ride has been a bit harsher than I would like. I would like to keep the stock suspension feel with the 16's.
What is the biggest factor in the ride harshness: springs or shocks? Can I do one without the other and stop it from bottoming out? Any recommendations would be appreciated.
thanks,
Walter
The setup (stock suspension, wider wheels) is surprisingly forgiving, in fact, I noticed no difference in harshness over the old 14" wheels. However, the car bottomed out on dips even at moderate speed. Has anyone out there experienced this? Is the stock suspension typically not up to the wider wheels? I did not experience any softness or other problems with the suspension with the 14" wheels.
In the past when I have switched to the wider wheels, I always did it in conjunction with other suspension "upgrades:" Bilstein HDs, CNPR Springs, bigger sway bars; however, the ride has been a bit harsher than I would like. I would like to keep the stock suspension feel with the 16's.
What is the biggest factor in the ride harshness: springs or shocks? Can I do one without the other and stop it from bottoming out? Any recommendations would be appreciated.
thanks,
Walter