Hex Nut Center Caps for E38 Style 5 Wheels?

E28 technical advice asked and given! Troubleshooting, modifications and more.
LarryM
Posts: 1222
Joined: Feb 01, 2008 11:40 AM
Location: SoCal

Hex Nut Center Caps for E38 Style 5 Wheels?

Post by LarryM »

I really like the E38 Style 5 wheel design, and was just wondering if anyone here has been experimenting with the fit of alternative center caps for them, preferably with a “Hex Nut” style for a sportier look. (I've posted this same query on an E38 forum but it doesn't appear nearly as active as MYE28.)

At least one E28 owner on this forum is using these caps and says they fit well. They don't look bad:
Part # 36-13-1-180-113 (Style 7 center caps):
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw ... 131180113/


Will any of these also work?

Part # 36-13-1-181-068 (“generic” Style 5 center caps):
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-hu ... 6131181068

Part # 36-13-2-225-376 (E28 M5 center caps):
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw ... 132225376/

Part # 36-13-1-180-293 (Style 3 center caps from E32, E34):
http://www.bmwstylewheels.com/bmw/3
Shawn D.
Beamter
Beamter
Posts: 21991
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Contact:

Re: Hex Nut Center Caps for E38 Style 5 Wheels?

Post by Shawn D. »

You might just be the person to write the definitive guide! You could try getting some cosmetically-deficient ones just for experimentation.
LarryM
Posts: 1222
Joined: Feb 01, 2008 11:40 AM
Location: SoCal

Re: Hex Nut Center Caps for E38 Style 5 Wheels?

Post by LarryM »

That's possibly what I'll wind up doing, but it'd be nice if someone could help a bit with the process of elimination. :D

I do think the E38 Style 5s are a good looking, budget-minded alternative to more expensive and rare wheels, and would look even better with some type of hex nut center cap that looks like it belongs there.
tn535i
Posts: 5585
Joined: Jul 14, 2006 1:30 PM
Location: Middle Tennessee

Re: Hex Nut Center Caps for E38 Style 5 Wheels?

Post by tn535i »

It appears to me that only the 068 cap with the 17 indents looks like it works cosmetically. That's the cap on all the composite style 5 wheels like I have on my 6. So I don't know if the attachment is the same but perhaps you can find someone with the composite style 5 and either see if your cap fits their wheel or vice versa.

I think all the one piece construction style 5's use the cap with the smallest cross spokes that appear in the cap itself. Probably would look weird and not as sporty like you are after. No indents at all would also look weird.

Here is a case that IF someone made a print with the external and internal specifics of these designs you could mix and match and 3D print whatever you liked and then just paint to match. Probably not a bad business opportunity to print any sort of custom BBS, BMW, etc center cap with any logo or design on it.
demetk
Posts: 8431
Joined: Aug 09, 2007 8:58 AM
Location: CT, USA

Re: Hex Nut Center Caps for E38 Style 5 Wheels?

Post by demetk »

16" E38 wheel with an 15" E34 wheel center cap. Doesn't look that bad.

Image
LarryM
Posts: 1222
Joined: Feb 01, 2008 11:40 AM
Location: SoCal

Re: Hex Nut Center Caps for E38 Style 5 Wheels?

Post by LarryM »

Looks OK, except for the gap. Does it lock securely into place?

In the RealOEM illustration it appears to be threaded into the wheel, like a real RS-style cap. But I doubt that's correct.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpa ... Id=36_0086
demetk
Posts: 8431
Joined: Aug 09, 2007 8:58 AM
Location: CT, USA

Re: Hex Nut Center Caps for E38 Style 5 Wheels?

Post by demetk »

Both cap types are snap fit unlike the M5 caps which have a twist lock. I'll have to revisit to confirm how secure they fit.

And you do twist them off, thus the reason for the cap wrench that Realoem lists.
tn535i
Posts: 5585
Joined: Jul 14, 2006 1:30 PM
Location: Middle Tennessee

Re: Hex Nut Center Caps for E38 Style 5 Wheels?

Post by tn535i »

Yes that looks acceptable but do you see the marks are not lined up? I imagine the composite wheel style 5 would look even more better also :)

How does your e38 wheel lock on? I believe my composite 5 wheel and my style 29 wheels both work where you line the cap straight on then twist the nut with the wrench to lock them on or take them off. I have never tried to see if my composite 5 cap fits my 29 wheel or vice versa but I could. And a good picture of either of those might suggest that the e38 style 5 has the same attachment. I mean why wouldn't it?

My old TRX M6 wheel was different attachment I know but it's been a long time since I did anything with those.

CORRECTION

-The comp style 5 just pushes straight on and twists loose counterclockwise a few degrees - locks from inside out
-The style 29 gets twisted after lining it up and the nut rotates inside the cap a few more degrees - locks from outside in
-The old TRX is more like a bayonet mount and needs about 1/4 turn to lock on

3 different methods a 3 obviously different wheel designs near the hub but all 3 use the same wrench
adam_poll
Posts: 206
Joined: Jul 23, 2014 8:19 PM
Location: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

Re: Hex Nut Center Caps for E38 Style 5 Wheels?

Post by adam_poll »

Part # 36-13-1-181-068 (“generic” Style 5 center caps):
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-hu ... 68#fitment

These ones definitely look like they will work and if you look at the fitment section on FCP's site it claims that they work with E38 7 series so I'd say they are the winners. I've got the standard E38 caps for mine and I'd like these as they suit the car better, I think I'm just too cheap, hell I paid less for most of my 16 x 8 wheels that I have!
freedspeak
Posts: 487
Joined: Oct 13, 2014 10:18 AM
Location: Raleigh, NC

Re: Hex Nut Center Caps for E38 Style 5 Wheels?

Post by freedspeak »

these are the style 7 centers on e38 style 5, They fit as securely as the factory hex nut ones.

Image

Image

Image
Last edited by freedspeak on Apr 23, 2021 9:50 PM, edited 1 time in total.
LarryM
Posts: 1222
Joined: Feb 01, 2008 11:40 AM
Location: SoCal

Re: Hex Nut Center Caps for E38 Style 5 Wheels?

Post by LarryM »

From what I've read an E38 Style 5 wheel is basically the same thing as a BBS RZ 469. And both the E28 M5 and E30 M3 wheels are also RZs. So I'm hoping that my M5 center caps will be a perfect match.
BMWCCA2
Posts: 4060
Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
Location: Central Virginia

Re: Hex Nut Center Caps for E38 Style 5 Wheels?

Post by BMWCCA2 »

It will be interesting to see how they fit.
RealOEM.com only shows that p/n correct for the two-piece composite wheel used on many models. Typically the Sport Pkg on the E39 up through 2000. Obviously the one that came with a hub cap as opposed to the open-lug later E39 composite.
Ju@n
Posts: 702
Joined: Apr 27, 2013 1:11 PM
Location: Uruguay

Re: Hex Nut Center Caps for E38 Style 5 Wheels?

Post by Ju@n »

I was originally looking for the same, tested the twist lock caps (no dice there, very different locking systems) and 15" e34 caps (which use the same system) but gave the "issue" demetk picture shows.
I was told by a couple "e30 guys" there was a person making hex caps for this rim, but never found him.
I've learned to love the "round" cap :laugh:
anchored
Posts: 15
Joined: Aug 05, 2018 1:49 PM
Location: ATL

Re: Hex Nut Center Caps for E38 Style 5 Wheels?

Post by anchored »

I have a new set of e28 M5 wheels and can state that the caps DO NOT fit on style 5s.

I also have a set of 15in e34 wheels and the caps did not align properly and fit with a couple mm gap.
I could not find them today to test again but I discovered that last year when trying.

This is the company selling Milled caps. they run $450+ for the set.
https://www.instagram.com/ewheelworks/?hl=en

I also found this thread discussing the fit of the e34 ones.
https://www.vwvortex.com/threads/bbs-st ... 410/page-3
LarryM
Posts: 1222
Joined: Feb 01, 2008 11:40 AM
Location: SoCal

Re: Hex Nut Center Caps for E38 Style 5 Wheels?

Post by LarryM »

anchored wrote: May 01, 2021 10:39 PM I have a new set of e28 M5 wheels and can state that the caps DO NOT fit on style 5s.
That's too bad; I was really hoping they'd work. IMO the M5 center caps are the best looking of all the OE caps plus they have a more secure locking mechanism. Although the hex nut is plastic, I think the surrounding center plate is aluminum vs. plastic on all the others. Only a real "RS" wheel center cap with its aluminum, screw-in hex nut AND aluminum center plate is better.
anchored
Posts: 15
Joined: Aug 05, 2018 1:49 PM
Location: ATL

Re: Hex Nut Center Caps for E38 Style 5 Wheels?

Post by anchored »

Yeah its a bummer. I will take some pictures and see if medication is possible next month.

I currently don't live in the same state as my car :(
anchored
Posts: 15
Joined: Aug 05, 2018 1:49 PM
Location: ATL

Re: Hex Nut Center Caps for E38 Style 5 Wheels?

Post by anchored »

Did a bit more research.

15in e34 wheel caps fit with a bit of a gap. they also don't align perfectly, the hex is a bit smaller.
Image

----

OEM style 5 cap
Image

-----

There is also these aftermarket chrome ones, I wonder if they fit a bit tighter?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/302351117996
Image

----

Ehrlich Wheel Works makes a flawless set of milled aluminum ones for $575 shipped.

Image
bert poliakoff
Posts: 377
Joined: Apr 29, 2010 4:07 PM

Re: Hex Nut Center Caps for E38 Style 5 Wheels?

Post by bert poliakoff »

The stainless center caps froma 92-97 Licoln Town Car fit exactly over the stock hex on the style 5 caps and look great. You can buy a set on Ebay for under $100 I just did mine and they look great.
anchored
Posts: 15
Joined: Aug 05, 2018 1:49 PM
Location: ATL

Re: Hex Nut Center Caps for E38 Style 5 Wheels?

Post by anchored »

I actually just grabbed a set of those for 20 bucks. Will post pictures soon!
Tiit
Posts: 290
Joined: Oct 06, 2017 6:27 AM
Location: Canberra

Re: Hex Nut Center Caps for E38 Style 5 Wheels?

Post by Tiit »

Is e39 and e38 16” style 5 use the same caps?
Ju@n
Posts: 702
Joined: Apr 27, 2013 1:11 PM
Location: Uruguay

Re: Hex Nut Center Caps for E38 Style 5 Wheels?

Post by Ju@n »

Tiit wrote: Jun 21, 2021 7:00 AM Is e39 and e38 16” style 5 use the same caps?
I'm pretty sure they do
Ju@n
Posts: 702
Joined: Apr 27, 2013 1:11 PM
Location: Uruguay

Re: Hex Nut Center Caps for E38 Style 5 Wheels?

Post by Ju@n »

anchored wrote: Jun 20, 2021 11:51 PM I actually just grabbed a set of those for 20 bucks. Will post pictures soon!
I just looked up those caps, they seem to have a different locking mechanism, don't they? do they lock onto e38 style 5 wheels?

Image
vs
Image
bert poliakoff
Posts: 377
Joined: Apr 29, 2010 4:07 PM

Re: Hex Nut Center Caps for E38 Style 5 Wheels?

Post by bert poliakoff »

Wrong cap.. The center, stainless steel hex, fits over the hex on the style 5's. You are showing the wrong cap and is what the BBS ones look like.
Ju@n
Posts: 702
Joined: Apr 27, 2013 1:11 PM
Location: Uruguay

Re: Hex Nut Center Caps for E38 Style 5 Wheels?

Post by Ju@n »

bert poliakoff wrote: Jun 21, 2021 11:24 AM Wrong cap.. The center, stainless steel hex, fits over the hex on the style 5's. You are showing the wrong cap and is what the BBS ones look like.
Not following, which cap is wrong?
The second one is the one i have in my e38 style 5 wheels
The first one is the one I found looking for the lincoln one
LarryM
Posts: 1222
Joined: Feb 01, 2008 11:40 AM
Location: SoCal

Re: Hex Nut Center Caps for E38 Style 5 Wheels?

Post by LarryM »

Are we still discussing center caps that specifically fit e38 16" Style 5 wheels? There are several different "Style 5" wheels that were made in 15", 16" and 17" diameters so let's not get them mixed up.
Post Reply