Wheel Suggestions for Optimum Weight and Look

[1mpowerme]

I am currently looking at changing my 17" AC Schnitzer wheels with 7.5 all the way around on my 1999 BMW M3 to 18" x 8.5 wheels and I've looked at hundreds of wheels. I'm also considering 19" x 8.0 or whatever but don't want to have to cut my fender to compensate for wheel rub. I'm looking to see what other M3 owners or E36 owners might have to say.

I've been looking at wheels ranging from Hamann, BBS, HRE, AC Schnitzer, SSR, RD Sport and all inbetween including a lot of aftermaket stuff. It also seems like there are a lot of new players out there which don't even really carry stock yet but are advertising in European Car, Car and Driver, Road & Track, etc.

I've noticed that good looking wheels (good looking to me) are 25 to 26 lbs each which I've been told really effect unsprong weight and will create a lag feeling in acceleration.

Other performance based wheels which range from 16 lbs to 19 lbs are great as far as weight but the looks are very basic and kind of blah. I've been told by some in this regard that you "get used to" the look or "the look will grow on you".

If anyone has specs, pics of their car they want to show off, I would be interested in knowing what you think! :help

[Theodore]

What type of wheel are you looking for? Multi-piece, multi spoke, 5 spoke, 6??? I've always LOVED the SSR Comps, and I really like my wheels too. :) Mine are 17s, here's my cardomin site for some pics. http://www.cardomain.com/id/theodorek2

I believe SS109 has the same wheels in 18". His car is purdy too.

[1mpowerme]

Nice car. I always like black. I'm looking at AC Schnitzer Type IIs in a 18 x 8.5 all the way around or SSR GTI1s or GT2s. I like that the SSRs are light weight and would handle a big brake kit really well (something I will do in the future) but I'm not IN LOVE with the look of the SSRs.

I would like a 1 piece wheel for the most part. The 2 piece wheels with the rivets, though very popular it seems lately do not appeal to me as much as a 1 piece wheel that is smooth and aggressive. The Hamann HM2 for example is a clean wheel that's muscular but it weighs 26 lbs or so. Too heavy.

Five spoke seem to catch my eye the most.

[Justin(OKC)]

I would suggest the BBS RK in 18x8.5 which weighs about 17-18 lbs. Very strong and has a nice lip. I actually had the RKII's on my old M3 and was going to put them on this car, but I totally fell in love with the RK's when I got this car.

[1mpowerme]

You have done real well with your car. Nice and clean and the BBS wheels do look good on your car. I notice you have what looks like a big brake kit and the wheels seem to hug the brakes nicely.

Still not sure what I think about BBS wheels yet for my car. Like I had mentioned before, I like how they look on other people's cars but to own them personally, not just sure yet.

Thanks for the suggestion as it sounds like 18 lbs would be the optimum weight for 18" wheels.