Matt B
SuperDork
3/18/16 8:35 a.m.
This pic showed up in the hotlink thread and it reminded me I've always loved this wheel, but I don't know what it is or if they're still available anywhere (repro?). Seems to be a popular choice in European motorsports back in the day, especially rally. Also, I think Wheeler Dealers has a white one hanging on their wall.
Matt B
SuperDork
3/18/16 8:59 a.m.
By jove - you may be right! The only difference I can see is the lug "dish" in the M3 pic looks larger with a sharper lip than the ones I can find for sale today (in the UK of course). Either way they're so close that it shouldn't matter.
Compomotive MO's were used in that era as well as many very similar Speedlines.
They still make a model of 5-spoke called the MO, but the new ones don't have the flat face like those, they're more tapered.
Finding a set of the flat faced MO's are a dream wheel of mine.
The legendary UR Quattro rally car used the Compomotive MO1690 (16x9)
http://www.comp.co.uk/gallery/index.asp?section=audi-gallery-308
For modern off the shelf options, 1552 makes a wheel called the Tarmac which is more or less a tribute wheel to the classic flat spoke 5, but it's only available in 17"+ sizes.
Matt B wrote:
The only difference I can see is the lug "dish" in the M3 pic looks larger with a sharper lip than the ones I can find for sale today (in the UK of course).
That's exactly why I've always loved the classic MO5. They have a harsher and steeper step into the lug area. Basically the lower offset wheels still had the spokes near flush with the lip, but had a deep recess on the lug center. The newer ones may be technically stronger/ligher, etc., but they look softer from a purely cosmetic standpoint.
<3 flat face MO5's:
Good luck finding a set though. They pop up on UK EBay from time to time.
There are some new models that are very similar that may be close enough to what you're after: http://www.comp.co.uk/wheels/wheels.asp?section=mo5-26-13
Matt B
SuperDork
3/18/16 9:24 a.m.
Winner winner chicken dinner.
Yeah, the Compomotives have the same flat face, dish size, and for the M3 fitment the lugs holes are in the slope of the dish. Hey, details matter.
Also, just for my own inspiration.
Matt B
SuperDork
3/18/16 9:25 a.m.
Ha! You beat me to the img hotlinking.
ken block rocked a pair for a while as well
edizzle89 wrote:
ken block rocked a pair for a while as well
Yeah those were the 1552 Tarmacs I mentioned above.
Since you sent me down the MO5 rabbit hole... here's another M3 on Compomotives to keep it going.
info: http://www.martinezsport.com/bmw-e30-m3-gr-a/ (I deciphered the wheel specs amidst the Spanish... ha)
look good on their E36 too.
mndsm
MegaDork
3/20/16 12:34 a.m.
Its funny. I know they've been identified. But i looked at the thread and went "speed lines!" Instantaneously. I have a problem.
I love the E30 body style, I should buy one someday.
I find myself wondering how those would look on my Saab 900 Turbo
^^^ I wondered the same about my Saab
as mine is black (the only proper saab colour) I think gold rims
God I love a fat 5 spoke wheel. I almost bought a set of Rota Slipstreams for the S2000.