wheels

[fifthherrm]

i am looking into getting some new rims on my 1989 325i. i was thinking of getting some 16 inch with low profile tires. I really cant really say if 16's would be to big or small with low profile tires, i havent seen any. if you guys could send me some links or pics that would be cool i need some ideas. i know less then i shoudl about wheels, thanks for your help.

axle

 

[bahnstormer]

16's are fine. u only want to go +2 in size so 14+2=16. they look different depending on the wheel...i'd go with alpina's from http://www.abrahamsmotorsport.com/v5home.htm

 

[rjp325i]

Try using the software at the Tire Rack to see what the different wheels/sizes look like on an E30. The recommended tire size for a 16 inch wheel is either a 205/50/16 or a 215/50/16. The 15 inch (plus 1) size is 205/55/15 and is the orig equip size on the E30 M3. Be careful not to totally destroy ride comfort with too low a profile if you also plan serious suspension changes (sport springs, sport struts/shocks, sway bars).

 

[Ryan Stewart]

16" is what I have on my car, they are a good upgrade but your choices are limited on these cars to mostly aftermarket tuner wheels from companies that built specialized E30s. There are mostly 17s floating around, especially on TireRack because the setups they sell are not direct fit but actually wheels designed for FWD VWs with spacers and those markets the bigger 17" wheel is more popular.

If you want 15s get the 25mm offset Ronal LS if you still can. You dont wanna know how much genuine Alpina wheels cost. Mikes (abrahamsmotorsport) setup is a 17" replica at half the cost, lot of people have run these.

 

[fifthherrm]

Those alpina's wheels look nice but you guys say dont go bigger than 2 inches and those are 17, would 17's be to big.thanks for your guys help

axle

 

[Ryan Stewart]

You can get real Alpinas in 16". About $1800.

 

[fifthherrm]

I am looking at some BBS RX's 16" they look pretty hott and each is about 300, I am looking into them i will post some pics when i find the right pair

axle

 

[AndrewBall]

I have 16" Borbets on mine, look fine, just be sure the tire profile will still fit, some low profiles vary, my ES100's were a close fit but i rolled my fenders so there wasnt a problem

 

[fifthherrm]

I know this is probably a lame ass question but what does the offset mean(again i dont know anything about wheels.)

 

[Ryan Stewart]

its the spacing of the hub face off center, you usually want 20-30 depending on the size of the wheel. MOst honda wheels are like 35-40 and take spacers.

Here is a good pic of what 16s look like:

 

[xLibelle]

I know this is probably a lame ass question but what does the offset mean(again i dont know anything about wheels.)

I had trouble getting the right answer out of these guys as well.

A larger offset will mean the hub is closer to the face of the wheel, or in other words, the tire is moved deeper in the wheel well. Obviously, a smaller offset (can be negative) is just the opposite, creating a "deeper dish."

The measurement starting-point (zero mark) is from the center of the wheel, so you have to take into consideration the wheel width because it can play a factor. But i guess nevermind that because you wont be finding nice rims for your car in weird rim widths (like excessively large).

 

[John@Bekkersx17]

The E30 will accept an offset of 18 to 25 depending on

the size of the wheel. I am going to do a 7.5x17 on my sons 89 325ic and have 7.5x17
on my 91 325i with Eibach springs. Looks GREAT and rides super. I say with the 17" Alpina replica and you wont be sorry !!!
Good Luck

 

[AndrewBall]

heres an old pic of my car with 16" Borbets, image cropped for file size

 

[AndrewBall]

Also alot of people say 17's I ahve 16's run mostly Yokohama Tires which have a slighty larger profile then some others but i had to roll my fenders cause my tires rub. so any bigger than 16"s i think is pushing the limitations

 

[fifthherrm]

I am getting two diff messages, so are 17's to big or not. hehe thanks

axle

 

[xLibelle]

it all depends on the offset and if the car is lowered.... and the tire size hehe

 

[Ryan Stewart]

The wheel tire combo is the same. 17s will fit. Most people dont recommend them because you have to run a small sidewall and that makes them very stiff. That hurts performance.

IF you just want looks then 17s are just fine as long as they are proper offset and all.

 

[DrPierceMD]

I would say just stick with 16's and you'll be safe...besides 16's look great on e30's

 

[fifthherrm]

Yea i finally found some 4 lug bbs wheels taht i like so i am looking into the best places to find them thanks for all you help everyone.

axle

 

[Kether]

andrew and ryan: how much are those cars dropped? and whose kits did you use? I'm looking to lower my '89 325i and my '84 318i sometime in the near future, and I'm looking for kits now to price them. Any thoughts on the $200 springs in the Bavarian Autosport catalogue?

PS - My 325 has 16" lug-centric rims on it, the offset is acceptable, and since I don't race the car or anything the rims are okay for my current conservative street use. If I take the car on a track, I'll toss the bottlecaps back on and inflate the tires to 44 front, 38 rear. It makes the sidewalls nice and stiff and helps cornering, but I wouldn't recommend those numbers for any prolonged street use. Pics of the car with the 16's to come.