Thread: Legality of aftermarket 17" rims for D3

Originally Posted by Frisbee

Might be a silly question but what nuts do you use on the BB-6's?

PS I did read through this thread and ran a search but I can't see anything on the subject.

The nuts supplied with the rims.

Originally Posted by Bushwanderer

Hi Graeme,
I'd be interested in the outcome of your search.

I have 4x BMW rims stored down in Melbourne, awaiting collection. I have heard that the BMW boss hole is larger than that for the LR rims and so they can't be centred on the boss. Is this your experience? If so, using "centring" nuts would be important.

Best Wishes,
Peter

After waiting forever for the elusive Topline nuts, I've found a US supplier (brandsport.com) with full specs for nuts which should fit the BMW X5 rims without modification. They are Gorilla brand M14x1.5 60 degree tapered nuts with 8mm shank extension (5+ threads) and shank dia 16mm. At most the rim holes will need a little reaming to ease fitment. I've ordered 24 for 60 USD incl freight. There wont be much metal in the shank but if necessary a long version with 17.5mm dia shank can be obtained from the same supplier. These would require hole enlargement of about 2mm dia.

The Series 2 BMW rims that I have fit the D4 centering boss perfectly.

RTA now says that an engineer's certificate is required. This doesn't surprise me as the regulations state that braking capacity cannot be reduced without a certificate. The compliance plate approval number is inconclusive as the same plate is used for the S, SE and HSE verisons.

Sorry Graeme but what do you need the Eng Cert for?

To change the wheel size or to change the wheels?

Brakes, always thought that RTA would require engineers cert. Given the same braking capacity as the V8 D3 ( if V8 size disks are used-up to 18 inch wheels)I would have thought that it would not be a problem.

Oh cool.... I'm looking into buying a set of X5 rims and getting the nuts you mentioned.

Thanks very much for your info.

Yes, any reduction in braking capacity is what I understood was the reason. An optional upgade brake "package" does not require a certificate. Whilst LR's compliance approval application for the D4 shows that all wheel sizes are applicable to all engine variants, LR commented that the 3.0 and 5.0 engines will only be available with 19" and 20" wheels, along with manual gearboxes and coil suspension only available with the 2.7!

Booster, m/c and hoses have the same part# so the engineer with whom I've been speaking can think of no reason why he wouldn't pass it. Now I just need to be sure that I want to have the lesser brakes, especially as I discovered from the compliance approval application that the 3.0 rear discs are larger too.

Originally Posted by djhampson

Oh cool.... I'm looking into buying a set of X5 rims and getting the nuts you mentioned.

Thanks very much for your info.

If I decide not to do the conversion, I'll have a couple of sets of BMW rims for sale. However one reason for doing the conversion is the ready availability of the BMW rims, as long as the nuts are as specified. I could even be looking for 2 or 3 more rims if I get to have different diameter everyday and outback tyres, such as 255/65 normal use and 265/70 tough times ones.

Edit: I will be continuing with my 2.7 brake conversion and have abandoned the idea of getting 18" rims. The ET nuts have been confirmed as in stock and are being despatched immediately.