1st post on this site

[beemerlover]

Hello everyone this is my 1st post on this forum, i look forward to using this forum, it seems very informative!

Well anyway i have a question that i really want the answer too but cant find the answer anywhere. Basically i am buying either a 318is coupe or maximum of a 323 coupe and then put the m kit on it. I dont know what to go for just yet but it will be a coupe e36 definately.

I want to know what are the standard e36 318is coupe offsets and would the M3 e36Motorsport alloy wheels fit straight onto it?

Also i want to know what is the widest wheel sizes i can fit with deep dish style alloys? My friend is helping me with selection of wheels etc and asked me to ask you guys on here about the offsets required. Also 9inch wide wheels should fit fine shouldnt they?

[b1jc]

Welcome to the forum fella, Don't know for sure but I think 8.5" rear and 8" front is the max unless you're willing to do some arch mods. I am picking some nice wheels up next week... contours, they have a nice dish on them and imo suite the e36 very nice, apparently they came one the 4 door M3, they would fit straight on either of the cars you're thinking of getting... as would the M3 motorsport ones you mention and they look the dogs on the e36 too, if you're after the staggered look ( wider at the rear) go for genuine ones.
Where abouts in the UK are ya? I'm in berkshire, if you havn't already, you should mozy on over to www.e36coupe.co.uk (http://www.e36coupe.co.uk) as most of the members are on our side of the water. I personally frequent both two forums.

[beemerlover]

Hello mate yeah ive registered to that forum too now. Thanks for that.

So you reckon i could get them M3 motorsport wheels straight on then? I do like the staggered look yeah so wider at the back.

I also like deep dish alloy wheels but dont know which ones would look best on it. I like Kerschers (dont know if ive spelt that right). I dont want to start messing around with arches i could get a stretched tyre if it was a tiny bit too wide couldnt i?

[b1jc]

I'm no expert, so don't quote me on this but I'm sure all e36's are the same offset except the M models have a bit more room width wise under the arches, but you can pretty much assume any M3 wheel (genuine) will go straight on the 318is but I'm really not sure about the 323i. Someone with a bit more knowledge will probably chime in soon and tell me I'm totally wrong, I'm sure the 318is has M-tech suspension where the 323i does not.
I would definately go for a staggered look whatever you decide to do, check out this thread, these are the wheels I have coming, it was a choice between these and the motorsport ones.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=498221&referrerid=56200
I know what you mean with stretching the tyres I had a set of Borbet type A on my E30 and those tyres were stretched to hell on the back, I managed to fit 9" all round and they were way deep dish, also had to roll the arches in though. Obviously we all have different tastes, epecially when it comes to wheels, I personally like to keep my car clean looking and kind of original, at least then no-one would think when they're sat next to me at the lights I have an angry snail lurking under the bonnet.

[beemerlover]

oh i love those wheels aswell! They have a nice dish on them!

I really need to know what the standard offset BMW 3series e36's are so i can start looking for certain wheels ready for when i get my bmw (which will be in about 2-3weeks max).

[onkD]

I'm in the same boat as you beemerlove... I'm going to be buying a 1998 bmw 328is in the next 2-3 weeks! I wish I knew where to start when looking for rims to go well with them. ;)

[b1jc]

http://www.e36coupe.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=94318