Looking for new alloys, explain et offset please

[sharpyboy]

Hi Guys,
I'm looking to replace my MV2s as they are in need of a refurbish. I understand the 5x120 bit but the et offset confuses me. Google says its from the hub to the outside edge, is that not the width? What et should I be considering I understand the lower the number the wider they are. I have a face-lift 2006 2.5i with standard suspension.

Thanks Stay Safe People :driving:

 

[mr wilks]

Rough guide aim for et 38 or as close to.
Avoid anything over 10j
Most aftermarket sets will be 8.5j & 9.5j.though 8j & 9j as with many oe Bmw sets are probably the better options but rarer to find.

 

[mmm-five]

Read the offset & width from the wheels you take off and get as close to that as possible and you'll be fine.

The ET is the offset from the centreline of the wheel - so a negative offset will mean the hub mounting face will be closer to the INSIDE edge of the wheel, whereas a positive offset will mean the hub mounting face is closer to the OUSTIDE edge of the wheel.

Deep dish or concave faces will tend to have negative offsets.

 

[TomR]

This is quite a good site for comparing what you already have with what you want to put on:

https://www.willtheyfit.com/

It tells you how much closer/further away the wheel will be from the strut and how much more/less it will poke out.

 

[Panta Rhei]

The lower the offset the more wheel goes towards you - outside of the car. The higher - opposite.
Calcs are good, but won't tell you how much space you have to wheel arch and so on, keep that in mind.