Wheels
- Thread starter Phoenix
- Start date
This is a question I have asked myself recently. I am looking at rim options for my 04 330ci and don't want to be locked into the rims "offered" to me. There are many rim options out there for consumers, if you know your bolt pattern and offset reference, not just the ones the outlets market as "BMW" rims.
So how about it guys and gals there are two people asking the same question, can we get some advice/answers or where to look?
So how about it guys and gals there are two people asking the same question, can we get some advice/answers or where to look?
Be careful with cast aluminim rims, my SA (who is very into mods for his M3) told me to look only at forged wheels. These are far more expensive than cast but are a heck of a lot stronger and aren't likely to bend if you hit a pot hole. The average min. price for forged wheels is about $500/per rim. Forged wheels are generally 30% lighter too. I am also looking into 18's, I think 19's look a little too big and you sacrifice some performance going with that large of a diameter!
here's some info, don't know if it will help:
http://www.kalach.easynet.be/bmw_wheels.htm
try also asking or searching on this board:
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/index.php?
http://www.kalach.easynet.be/bmw_wheels.htm
try also asking or searching on this board:
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/index.php?
With the sport package, mine came with 17" rims with 225/45-17 Michelin Pilots. I'm going with some 18" Enkei rims and 235/40-18 Continental Extreme Contact tires (specs were just as good as all I researched but treadwear was twice as long--400 as opposed to 200 on most). Yes I know the compound is slightly harder. I'm using my OEM 17" rims with some Yokohama 225/45-17 snow tires. You may want to get tires not so wide to cut through the snow better. I'm doing the 6 months snow/6 months summer change-out.
I did look at Bimmer wheels but they weren't "unique" enough for me.
Make sure you let them know whether you do or do not have the sport package because the caliper size is different. To answer your question on the sport package 17s, the bolt pattern is 5-120. Also, you will most definitely want to get 40 (as opposed to 45) profile tires so as to not offset your overall tire/wheel profile and mess up your speedometer reading. Besides the 18s, I was also looking for fatter tires, hence the 235s as opposed to the 225s. If you really want to be pimping, get 245s.
Have fun and post pictures![[cheers]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_cheers.gif "Cheers [cheers]")
I did look at Bimmer wheels but they weren't "unique" enough for me.
Make sure you let them know whether you do or do not have the sport package because the caliper size is different. To answer your question on the sport package 17s, the bolt pattern is 5-120. Also, you will most definitely want to get 40 (as opposed to 45) profile tires so as to not offset your overall tire/wheel profile and mess up your speedometer reading. Besides the 18s, I was also looking for fatter tires, hence the 235s as opposed to the 225s. If you really want to be pimping, get 245s.
Have fun and post pictures