RE: Wheels

[Straw M3]

Hello, I'm new to this forum. I recently picked up a Silver1998 M3 Automatic sedan and have a couple of questions. I live in Wisconsin. I also have a 2006 E60 M5 with a Dinan 3.91 Diff and Dinan exhaust.
My questions for the M3 are as follows:
1) What gas do you guys put in, 89 or 93?
2) What engine oil do you run in summer and winter?
3) I'm looking for an inexpensive summer wheel, most likely with a black finish that will last me many years, 17 inch.
4) What tires do you run in the summer, oem size or could you run 225's for all four tires? The car came with OEM wheels and Blizzak snows.


Regards,

Straw M3

[Rennmeister M3]

1. 93
2. Alot of topics on this. I run 5w30 in Cold :: 5w40 in Warm (Texas)
3. LTW5's or paint some OEMs
4. Kumho MX, size is dependent on what size wheels you have.

[RRSperry]

B4 you get slammed for not using the search function,

Gas, 92+ or the highest non leaded gas in your area. Yes it will run on less, just not as well. No 100 no lead will not make it run any better.

Oil, 0-40 in winter, 15-50 in summer. There will lots of other opinions, that has worked for me for 13 years.

Wheels:

I would recommend 17x8 35-44mm offset.

Tires: 235-40 or 245-40 on all 4 wheels. Benefits: ability to rotate tiers, and reduced understeer.

[egebhardt]

Gas 89 octane. I've tried the 91, and I can't tell a difference. Maybe I would notice on a track. For now, I'm going to save the $3-4 per fill-up by running 89.
Mobil1 Syn 20-50
Buy a spare set of Contours, assuming you have the DS2s. OEM is cheap and kinda easy to find.
I was considering 225s on front as well as on the rear. It'd be a slightly lower look and smaller tire, but harder to find.

[BXMPWR]

For now, I'm going to save the $3-4 per fill-up by running 89.



You have no idea how stupid that sounds!

OP use 91...the car calls for it use it. Use the 87 in the Honda!

[dust4life]

1) as high as you can get it
2) Mobil1 10w40, ill be switching to RP for the summer (not sure what viscosity yet)
3) DForce LTW5's. Cheap, Light & Beautiful. choice of 3 finishes.
4) Mich Pilot Sport PS2. I guess you COULD run 225 all around but why? if people square out their tires they beef up the fronts. 245 rears are awesome

[bjhines]

Octane: Read your owner's manual for each and every car you drive. There is no benefit to using anything other than what the manufacturer designed the engine to use.

Yes... High performance engines use high octane gas. That has nothing to do with your engines in your cars. Read and obey everthing in your vehicle manuals to a Tee. Do not try to outwit the manufacturer, unless you are manufacturing your own engines.

Additives are generally a waste of money and time. Pick a good oil and stick with it. If there were any additives that could actually improve your engine's performance, the manufacturers would have been blending them in already. The only additive you might occasionally consider is a water remover type fuel additive(STP gas treatment).

[racer m]

Hello, I'm new to this forum. I recently picked up a Silver1998 M3 Automatic sedan and have a couple of questions. I live in Wisconsin. I also have a 2006 E60 M5 with a Dinan 3.91 Diff and Dinan exhaust.
My questions for the M3 are as follows:
1) What gas do you guys put in, 89 or 93?
2) What engine oil do you run in summer and winter?
3) I'm looking for an inexpensive summer wheel, most likely with a black finish that will last me many years, 17 inch.
4) What tires do you run in the summer, oem size or could you run 225's for all four tires? The car came with OEM wheels and Blizzak snows.


Regards,

Straw M3
1) 91+
2) royal purple 5w-30 for December- February and 10w-40 for all other months
3) no clue
4)kuhmo ecsta asx (17 225 45 front and 17 245 40 rear)

[RRSperry]

I told you that you would get a lot of different and sometimes conflicting opinions. Tire size being one of them.


If you ever think about a software upgrade, or performance mod, (M50 maini, CAI, HFM, CAMs,...) that will mandate using the highest octane you can find.

Tire size... Just because the car came with 225's on the front from BMW, doesn't mean it was the engineers idea. That one was all lawyers...

Oil... hummmm, It doesn't matter. Yep that's right, it doesn't matter. Conventional, or synthitic, nope, don't care... You are going to change it well before it's used up.

You are probably going to add some between changes. Oil analysis, (http://www.blackstone-labs.com/free_test_kit.html) has showm, that 10K mile oil change, and filter change every 5K is still fine. So if you do the 3K Jiffy lube, it's fine.

[Straw M3]

Thanks to all of you for your advice, I will plan accordingly. I've always liked the M3, and now I get to drive one. This is a great forum, with a great group of guys. Again thanks for your help.


Regards,


Straw M3

;)