Wheel Size Options - 2002 325ci
- Thread starter pissedpuppy
- Start date
Ask them for the specific offset of the wheels you are purchasing, and make sure they match what your 3-series specifies. offset=the win when determining if a wheel will fit your car or not. Also keep in mind width in the back and/or if you've lowered the car. you may wind up 'locking' yourself into a few select wheel types *due* to offset, if you're trying to go wide back there.
Most if not all BMW GT class teams all run 18-19" wheels (unless the event or series restricts to a certain specific size. Many times, they make them all run the same wheel, from the same company to make things 'fair' - offset sized per car type of course). The reasons are endless. Noah please don't 'dummy' our engineers with that 16" comment. They 'dummy' their cars to reduce cost and increase sales. The only 'good' thing about a smaller wheel is it's lighter, however you can get 18" LTW wheels that are more solid and better structured for track or road use than the 16's BMW slaps on the run o the mill 3. More tread to the road, better skid-pad, better control/better feel for handling, more grip/better launch, more oversteer (if that's a good thing..).
Bigger, *is* generally better with wheels. But there is a sensibility to size, and downs to getting bigger wheels(they can hurt the pockets on tire purchases!)
Offset on E36 and E46 is the same (yes, they are interchangable so the dealers statement is likely true), not sure about the new E90 but I wouldn't be surprised if it was still the same (Suspect so, I say a new e90 the other day at the park, and the guy had obviously moved his old car's wheels over, as they were all 4 nicked and had curb rash, poor guy..)
GL on the wheel purchase.
Most if not all BMW GT class teams all run 18-19" wheels (unless the event or series restricts to a certain specific size. Many times, they make them all run the same wheel, from the same company to make things 'fair' - offset sized per car type of course). The reasons are endless. Noah please don't 'dummy' our engineers with that 16" comment. They 'dummy' their cars to reduce cost and increase sales. The only 'good' thing about a smaller wheel is it's lighter, however you can get 18" LTW wheels that are more solid and better structured for track or road use than the 16's BMW slaps on the run o the mill 3. More tread to the road, better skid-pad, better control/better feel for handling, more grip/better launch, more oversteer (if that's a good thing..).
Bigger, *is* generally better with wheels. But there is a sensibility to size, and downs to getting bigger wheels(they can hurt the pockets on tire purchases!)
Offset on E36 and E46 is the same (yes, they are interchangable so the dealers statement is likely true), not sure about the new E90 but I wouldn't be surprised if it was still the same (Suspect so, I say a new e90 the other day at the park, and the guy had obviously moved his old car's wheels over, as they were all 4 nicked and had curb rash, poor guy..)
GL on the wheel purchase.
Tom's right, 18" or 19" will fit fine. BUT you MUST use a tire size calculator to ENSURE that the final tire diameter is the SAME as the factory tires. Go to http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp , enter your stock tire size, enter the 18"/19" tire size until you get a change of less than 3% in diameter.
It gets MUCH tricker if you want to stagger. You have to ENSURE that the revs/mile are almost equal (within 5 - 7 or so) or the traction control will go nuts, sensing a major difference in front to rear tire RPM.
Just don't get carried away with trying to get real wide or you will have rubbing problems. When they say they fit all 3 series, they mean BOLT PATTERN, not wheel well clearance.
It gets MUCH tricker if you want to stagger. You have to ENSURE that the revs/mile are almost equal (within 5 - 7 or so) or the traction control will go nuts, sensing a major difference in front to rear tire RPM.
Just don't get carried away with trying to get real wide or you will have rubbing problems. When they say they fit all 3 series, they mean BOLT PATTERN, not wheel well clearance.
Here's a tire size calculator: http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp
The idea is to keep the diameter as close to stock as possible. Also, bare in mind that you can't rotate staggered tires. And wider tires, while offering better overall grip (generally) will also cost you MPG (greater rolling resistance). You might consider using the same staggered sets the factory uses for the 330ci.
The idea is to keep the diameter as close to stock as possible. Also, bare in mind that you can't rotate staggered tires. And wider tires, while offering better overall grip (generally) will also cost you MPG (greater rolling resistance). You might consider using the same staggered sets the factory uses for the 330ci.
If low profile tires are in the equation (they often are when getting larger rims), keep in mind that low profile tires:
1) Can get a flat easier (less air between the rim and road/debris/potholes).
2) Allow the rim to get damaged easier (same reason).
3) Alter the handling the car's designers intended (which can be good, or bad).
4) Give a harsh ride.
5) Hurt resale, so save the factory rims/tires.
I had low profile tires -- once -- and looked forward to the day they wore out, to replace them with the factory size.
1) Can get a flat easier (less air between the rim and road/debris/potholes).
2) Allow the rim to get damaged easier (same reason).
3) Alter the handling the car's designers intended (which can be good, or bad).
4) Give a harsh ride.
5) Hurt resale, so save the factory rims/tires.
I had low profile tires -- once -- and looked forward to the day they wore out, to replace them with the factory size.
The greatest BMW rims website I've come across:
http://www.bmwwheels.com/bmwwheels_search.asp?Series=E46&ws=0
Keep clicking "View More Wheels" at the bottom of the page, they have quite a few.
http://www.bmwwheels.com/bmwwheels_search.asp?Series=E46&ws=0
Keep clicking "View More Wheels" at the bottom of the page, they have quite a few.