15" Knock-Off Wheels

Dinobyte · #1 (**permalink**) 12-28-2006, 12:56 AM

Is anyone running knock-offs on your BDR? If so, what brand, what was the off-set, and how have they been so far?

Thanks
Michael

Cashburn · #2 (**permalink**) 12-28-2006, 07:50 AM

Michael,
I have asked the factory to bring these to market. I understand it is in the works. The catch has been the fit with the size of the BMW brakes. I'm also exploring some other wheel options in the knock off variety as well

I also have a CAD with the backspacing and knockoff adapter specs. if you get into talks with a wheel manufacturer and need them.

Trueoo7 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-28-2006, 06:52 PM

Jay
Awhile back I asked something similar and was told that Vintage Wheels will fit. Have you explored them at all and what if anything did you find out.

Cashburn · #4 (**permalink**) 12-28-2006, 07:30 PM

I've gotten mixed responses on the fit issue. Some changes to the standard equipment on the BDRs in the new year should also bring further developments on the wheel side.

Almost all cars are being ordered/purchased now with the 17" wheel upgrade (even during months the Wheel Deal is not offered)... so getting Mr. Lucky to deliver us some 15" knock offs is not so easy.

SACoupe · #5 (**permalink**) 12-29-2006, 12:16 AM

I am Busy ordering a new car from Tony at the moment, and he has told me that he will fit 15 inch Knock ons for me. Like Cashburn says there are some awesome developments that Tony is working on, I am trying to have him fit all of them to my new car so that it will be sort of a guinea pig.The new cars have come a long long way from the early BDR's.
The 17 inch wheels were neccesitated by the use of the M3 or Sport brakes and suspension options on the cars. the discs on the M3 are too large to fit inside a 15 inch wheel. with the new brakes he is using the 15" can fit as I undertsand it.
I am going down to the factory today for a social visit, will ask him about it in more specific detail.
I found that my performance cars Venom with the M3 and sport suspension upgrades gave a harsh ride on the streets of South Afdrica, even after Tony modified the chassis with all the BDR upgrades. so My new car will have standard Suspension and 15" wheels. the Sport brakes in my opinion were overkill for Street use as was the 17" wheels, Yes the car handled like a Go Cart, but for driving normally this wasnt an issue. If you plan to use your car in anger often, then go with the 17" wheels and sport suspension.....they handle excptionally well like i said.

jeffko · #6 (**permalink**) 12-29-2006, 05:06 AM

I want one of the new BDRs also. SACoupe, I would sure like to hear of what options are available or what your are getting. I hear they are moving away from BMW parts all together.

Rwillia4 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-29-2006, 06:59 PM

I agree with dino... What are the new options they are looking at? Curious minds want to know.

Dinobyte · #8 (**permalink**) 12-30-2006, 08:27 PM

I am baffled as to why some of the wheel manufacturers don't chime in...after all, it's their business to gain in all this.

What say you Vintage, Trigo, and any others...???

Cashburn · #9 (**permalink**) 12-30-2006, 08:42 PM

I'm pestering someone about this... give it a week to get some details. Also working on a different wheel in a little bigger variety

496fe · #10 (**permalink**) 12-30-2006, 10:16 PM

I needed knockoffs with weird offsets. I purchased the Vintage Wheels - they make 17" and 15". Vaughn Machine in Monrovia, CA with do just about anything you want to cast aluminum wheels. I added 2" to the outside and cut 3/4" from the inside. You can't even tell where he added the 2"! Talk about reinventing the wheel!

About $150.00 a cut per wheel.

Lynn Park has his stuff done there.

Brian

SACoupe · #11 (**permalink**) 12-31-2006, 01:02 AM

erm erm erm........after calling Tony at the Factory to tell him I am on my way there...........turns out he is on vacation in South africa';s interor soemwhere.
But at my last visit I saw the new lightweight car. the purpose made shafts etc etc..........I cant remeber all the new things he showed me, But yes the idea is to move away completely form BMW Parts.

SACoupe · #12 (**permalink**) 12-31-2006, 01:02 AM

erm erm erm........after calling Tony at the Factory to tell him I am on my way there...........turns out he is on vacation in South africa';s interor soemwhere.
But at my last visit I saw the new lightweight car. the purpose made shafts etc etc..........I cant remeber all the new things he showed me, But yes the idea is to move away completely form BMW Parts.

Dinobyte · #13 (**permalink**) 01-11-2007, 09:37 PM

Any news on this?

Dinobyte · #14 (**permalink**) 02-06-2007, 10:26 PM

Refresher...any word on this from anyone?

Dinobyte · #15 (**permalink**) 02-08-2007, 08:34 AM

Here is a reply Reg provided at the Backdraftboys.com forum....

BDR1

USA
16 Posts
Posted - 02/07/2007 : 22:11:01

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi there,

The importance of the wheels is the backspacing. A BDR requires a 4 1/2 backspacing on a front 8 inch wheel in 15 inch. This is generally not a problem in knock off wheels. The problem is the rear wheel. In a 15 we use a 15 by 10 with a 5 3/4 backspace.

As far as I am aware there are no 15 inch knock offs which the backspacing we need. The reason why a Team 3 wheel works is that it is a 2 piece construction which allows any backspace. Most Kock offs are a one piece casting and the manufacturers have a small margin to work on the backspacing.

After all that it also depends on the style of wheel you are loking for. I don't believe it is currently possible with a Halibrand style wheel but I know one customer had a custom set of Dayton wire wheels made for his car and he had not fitment problems.

I hope this helps to clarify the issue a little better.

Regards Reg

SkipB · #16 (**permalink**) 02-08-2007, 05:20 PM

Anybody else have a problem registering on the Backdraftboys.com forum? I can't seem to get it to accept my registration and I tried twice.

SkipB

Cashburn · #17 (**permalink**) 02-08-2007, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkipB

Anybody else have a problem registering on the Backdraftboys.com forum? I can't seem to get it to accept my registration and I tried twice.

SkipB

There were some issues in the very beginning but it seems to be working fine now.

Rwillia4 · #18 (**permalink**) 02-08-2007, 11:38 PM

Kinda hard to be alienated before you even made a post

Not a lot going on over there but Reg did setup a new web page for parts: www.backdraftparts.com

Dinobyte · #19 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 03:27 PM

Any additonal word on the 15" knock-offs for a BDR? Has anyone installed them as a custom built feature?

496fe · #20 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 03:41 PM

Micheal,

If you can get the minimum inside diameter of the wheel and what the backspacing should be, there is a guy in Monrovia who can modify Vintage Wheels to fit almost anything. He charges $150.00 a wheel and you can't tell where he cut them. He even widened mine on the front side! Pics in gallery.

If you can get those dimensions, PM me and I'll get you his number.

Brian