E30 rims size limits...?

[E30UberAlles]

Hello,

I am looking at purchasing a new set of rims for my '92 325i. Currently it sits on 15" BBS but I'm not a big fan of the size. Suspension is Bilstein but will probably go to coilovers soon.

Although a lot of people say 15" are best for these cars, I just find them too small. I would like to upgrade to a 16" preferably 17" BBS RS.

Does anyone know what the limits are on rims size/width front and back before having to roll fenders and doing the camber? I want to avoid that if I can.

I wouldn't mind a little bit of camber in the back and stretched tires.

Enlighten me!

[Kershaw]

I have 15" BBS RS and I agree, 16" looks best. If it didn't cost over a grand to rebuild them into 16s I would do it. 17 definitely starts looking weird unless you have an m3. Also, RSs are overplayed and kind of boring. If I didn't get my set for $400 I would never rock RSs.

Rolling fenders and excessive camber is really dependent on width AND offset AND suspension. 17x6 et30 with stock suspension would probably fit front and rear no problem. 15x8 et0 on bilsteins and h&r sports and you're going to have issues. 16x7 et25 is a pretty safe size.

[richardodn]

16x7 et25 is basically a stock width and offset. Match those with 205/50/16 tires. They'll look good and perform woderfully.

[Tom D]

..... I would like to upgrade to a 16" preferably 17" BBS RS.

what does 16" wheels have to do with 'upgrading'?

I wouldn't mind a little bit of camber in the back and stretched tires.

16x7 et25 is basically a stock width and offset. Match those with 205/50/16 tires... look good and perform wonderfully.

based on his first post I don't think he cares about good looks or wonderful perfomance.

[E30UberAlles]

15x8 et0 on bilsteins and h&r sports and you're going to have issues. 16x7 et25 is a pretty safe size.

Ok, this is definitely good to know.

16x7 et25 is basically a stock width and offset. Match those with 205/50/16 tires. They'll look good and perform woderfully.

It seems like 16x7 et25 is a safe standard.

what does 16" wheels have to do with 'upgrading'?

Sorry English is my second language. When I said upgrade I was referring to 'raising, going to a higher limit.'

based on his first post I don't think he cares about good looks or wonderful perfomance.

Maybe if you compare my ideal to yours, you are probably correct. Although I doubt we assimilate on this topic.

[Tom D]

ursulet, your english is far better then my french. but let me explain myself.

a 16" wheel does nothing to raise the limit of an E30, its just different.

i work in an industry where structure is artistic and art is structural, and one of the things that i have learned over the past 40+ years is that logic drives function and function drives form. negative camber and stretched tires might be the latest trend, but it looks neither logical or functional and therefore not in good form.

[E30UberAlles]

a 16" wheel does nothing to raise the limit of an E30, its just different.

negative camber and stretched tires might be the latest trend, but it looks neither logical or functional and therefore not in good form.

That's true but my aim is not really towards raising the limit for a potential track car. It's for restoration and form (different then your type). This is why said I want to avoid fender rolling and camber.

But as you may already know, "On the BMW 3 Series, the camber should be slightly negative and within the standard stock settings."

Also, "the rear wheels should be set from the factory for a slight negative camber (about -1 to -2 degrees), as the trailing arms tend to bend slightly outward as the car accelerates under power. Since one-half of the wheel is mounted firmly on the ground, the top of the wheel has a tendency to twist outward. Setting the rear wheels for a slight negative camber means that under power they will be mostly neutral."

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/tech...-Alignment.htm

[Stück]

I'm running 16x8 ET24 BBS RS, with 225/45R16 Dunlop DZII's that run wider than spec.... fit is very close with unmodified sheet metal.

16x7 ET25 with a 205 is a very conservative fitment.

[roguetoaster]

That's true but my aim is not really towards raising the limit for a potential track car. It's for restoration and form (different then your type). This is why said I want to avoid fender rolling and camber.

But as you may already know, "On ... neutral."

He does not mean that a small amount of negative camber is bad by any means. He is however, trying to encourage you to keep it within reason as high camber deviation from stock is both useless in terms of performance and dangerous (both for loss of grip and rapid tire wear).

When it comes down to it the very best improvement you can make to a car for performance will be driver education, with good tires being the next most important. That followed with incremental upgrades and practice with each modification gives the best results. Large wheels, coilovers, and the other typical "Fast & Furious" type modifications rarely net any useful gains.

[E30UberAlles]

I'm running 16x8 ET24 BBS RS, with 225/45R16 Dunlop DZII's that run wider than spec.... fit is very close with unmodified sheet metal. 16x7 ET25 with a 205 is a very conservative fitment.

That's what I want. Come very close to the limit without changing the car's body.

Thanks

[E30UberAlles]

He does not mean that a small amount of negative camber is bad by any means. He is however, trying to encourage you to keep it within reason as high camber deviation from stock is both useless in terms of performance and dangerous (both for loss of grip and rapid tire wear). When it comes down to it the very best improvement you can make to a car for performance will be driver education, with good tires being the next most important. That followed with incremental upgrades and practice with each modification gives the best results. Large wheels, coilovers, and the other typical "Fast & Furious" type modifications rarely net any useful gains.

Advice taken. Thanks

[estoguy]

Great thread... I'm thinking about making the jump to a larger size when my current 14" tires are worn out (both my winter and summer sets were new this year).

I was thinking 15", but reconsidering 16". What are some nice looking wheels that are 16X7, 4-lug and would look good on a regular E30? I'm running stock height suspension because Canada, winter, and backroads I drive on.

I love the Bayern Mesh wheels, but they come in 15X7 ET 27 and 17X7 ET27, but I'm leary of the 17". Would the 17s be OK?

[richardodn]

Based on the areas you say you have to drive, I'd stay away from 17" wheels. It sounds like you need the tire cushioning. Additionally I generally don't like the look of 17" wheels, but that's definitely more a subjective opinion.

[estoguy]

Thanks for the advice, Richard... I'm still awhile from making the change, but want to think ahead. Did some searching on a local buy/sell site and saw some nice 16s, but right now, it's money I don't need to spend.

I didn't realize that even 15" tire selection is getting spotty.

[roguetoaster]

Thanks for the advice, Richard... I'm still awhile from making the change, but want to think ahead. Did some searching on a local buy/sell site and saw some nice 16s, but right now, it's money I don't need to spend.

I didn't realize that even 15" tire selection is getting spotty.

There are plenty of choices in 205/50-15, not nearly as many in 205/55-15, but in total you shouldn't have a hard time finding a quality tire. Which is what all of us actually buy, right?

[hotdish]

There are plenty of choices in 205/50-15, not nearly as many in 205/55-15, but in total you shouldn't have a hard time finding a quality tire. Which is what all of us actually buy, right?

I usually buy four tires.

[roguetoaster]

I usually buy four tires.

No wonder they've been so expensive to ship all this time!

[E30UberAlles]

The 17s fitment looks great to me but a bit scary at the same time.
I like this tight fit mostly because the E30 is not my daily driver. I drive it only in the summer, on weekends/evenings and would never take it on the back roads, pot hole roads, etc. Overall, Canada has some pretty nice roads.
5dbo0igl48wx50rs4uku.jpg
In the end, I think I'll follow Stuck's advice with 16x8 et24. I'd rather not ruin the car or cringe at every speed bump I see.

[smittyatl]

I haven't had the chance to check offset, but am having a lot of trouble finding tires for my convertible on 16x8" wheels.

I currently have 215/45/16 tires, running H&R sport springs with Bilsteins. No scrubbing and fenders are already rolled.

225/45/16 would match up stock tire height but not sure if they will fit in the back. I got maybe two fingers from tire to fender now. Size chart indicates it would be .4" taller and .4" wider.

Anyone running 225/45/16 without rubbing or any camber adjustment?

Thinking I may need to go 16x7" wheels to open more options for me.

[Stück]

I'm running 16x8 ET24 with 225/45R16 tires all around. No modification to any fender sheet metal and no rubbing. The rears are quite close, about the width of normal cardboard between the tire and fender at full squat.

[Sherms]

Hey Jordan, sent you a pm hoping you can help me out. thanks

[CRABKLR]

I love the Bayern Mesh wheels, but they come in 15X7 ET 27 and 17X7 ET27, but I'm leary of the 17". Would the 17s be OK?[/QUOTE]

Funny you should mention that... I just ordered a set of 17X7 Bayern mesh wheels for my 90 325i convertible. I should be getting them around the 10th, I’ll snap some pics after I mount them up and get them to you with a little report on how I feel about them.

[CRABKLR]

I’ve got the 17” Beyerns on the car, I love the look of the 17’s. Hope this helps ya.



0916E8E3-E40B-425E-878F-ACA6043B3888.jpg

[binge30]

I’ve got the 17” Beyerns on the car, I love the look of the 17’s. Hope this helps ya.



0916E8E3-E40B-425E-878F-ACA6043B3888.jpg

Did you add spacers or left them as is?