HELP! Mystery wheel: Will it fit my 2002 325Ci Cabrio?

[G3g3n3]

Hi folks, any tire / wheel size experts here?

my first post! Although I have visited these forums before.

Situation:
I have a 2002 325Ci Cabrio. It is currently running the 225/45 R 17 summer tires that were on it when I bought it a few months ago.
It's winter here in Canada and I'd like buy a set of used 205/60 R 15 tires that I found recently that seem to be in very good condition (image below), but the current owner has no idea what model or what year they are from (a woman left them in his garage).

Question 1:
According to this chart I researched online, the tires will be slightly smaller, right? Is that OK, will they still work? (see chart below)

Question 2 :
Will these mystery wheels fit my 325Ci.?

Thanks in advance for any info!


Photo of the mystery wheel. Can someone please help me figure out if these will fit on my 325Ci?

[G3g3n3]

I found a webpage that gives info based on photos of the wheel:

http://www.bmwstylewheels.com/bmw/6
Does that look like the same wheel as in photo above?


And my current (346)wheels look like these:
http://www.bmwstylewheels.com/bmw/44


These wheels appear to have the same ET: ET47
Does that mean that the wheels are compatible?

Thanks.

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Here they are on my car:



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Any help much appreciated.

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Do they look like they are from a e36? If so, according to this chart the sizing is identical:

[G3g3n3]

Anyone? Perhaps someone could at least point me in the right direction?

[G3g3n3]

Is anyone using this forum? Could you direct me to a forum that knows something about BMW wheel sizing?

[MIKYZZ4]

Hi, this is an active forum, just a low traffic weekend. According to that chart, e36,e46 wheels are compatible, as they share the same specs. The 205 tires are slightly smaller, but are fine for winter use. I'm assuming you're looking to purchase and use this as a winter set of wheel/tire combo?

[G3g3n3]

Thanks for your response.

Yes, these will be for winter wheels/tires.

Aside from the chart have you ever seen or heard of there being a problem?

The e46 is the next generation of the e46, right? I'm hoping there was no changes in the brake size, etc.

One additional thing is that I have the sport model/package, do you know if that makes any difference?

Anyway, thanks again fro responding. Cheers.

Hi, this is an active forum, just a low traffic weekend. According to that chart, e36,e46 wheels are compatible, as they share the same specs. The 205 tires are slightly smaller, but are fine for winter use. I'm assuming you're looking to purchase and use this as a winter set of wheel/tire combo?

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Hello, but according to this:


for the 15" tire I need an ET42 wheel for the e46. Does this not matter?

Hi, this is an active forum, just a low traffic weekend. According to that chart, e36,e46 wheels are compatible, as they share the same specs. The 205 tires are slightly smaller, but are fine for winter use. I'm assuming you're looking to purchase and use this as a winter set of wheel/tire combo?

[MIKYZZ4]

That is just showing the correct wheel-6.5",e42 for the tire-205mm. You will have a 15x7",e47 wheel paired with a smaller 205mm tire.

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Have you also read those wheel specs off the wheel itself?

[G3g3n3]

That is just showing the correct wheel-6.5",e42 for the tire-205mm. You will have a 15x7",e47 wheel paired with a smaller 205mm tire.

OK, now I'm confused!
So, either an ET42 or ET47 is compatible with my e46?
Actually, I'm not certain now if the ones I'm buying are E47 or E42. Based of photos I've seen they come from an e36 (my guess).
The only thing I know for sure is the size of the winter tires on the wheels that he told me: 205/60 R 15. He also provided above photo(large) and I'm guessing it's an e36 wheel.

So, yes they will work?

[MIKYZZ4]

et42 recommended for a 6.5"wheel
et47 recommended for a 7.0"wheel
To be sure of wheel specs, search for them, usually stamped on rim, front or rear.

[G3g3n3]

here's a closeup of the wheel i'm looking to buy.^ It looks like ET is not used here...but IS47? Must be the same as ET47.
it seems to be a 7" wheel.
It doesn't make sense because the 205/60R15 is listed above as et42.

i think my current wheels are 8" and et47. 225/45 R17.
both tires are ET47, but mine are 8" the ones i'm looking to buy(225/45 zr17) are 7".
Will i run into problems?
Thanks.

IMG_0875.jpg

[G3g3n3]

Ok, thanks for the info. I decided against using 15 inch wheels. It's not written anywhere so I'll avoid. Thanks.

[G3g3n3]

Actually, based on the photo above they are 7 inch, right?
7Jx15 and IS47 is embossed on the wheel.
So, these tires ARE compatible with my e46?

[MIKYZZ4]

Yes, and confirmed compatible by the charts you've posted

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Just to be clear, you are currently rolling on 17" wheels and tires, and want to swap to a 15" wheel and tire combo-correct?

[G3g3n3]

Yes, that's correct.

I'm on 17" 225/45R17 right now.

The used ones I'm looking to buy: 15" 205/60R15 come with winter tires.

My biggest concern is that since it likely to be an older tire that it might not fit over my brakes or some other fitment issue.

Thanks.

[MIKYZZ4]

Yes, the e46 is the next generation following the e36 of the BMW 3series models.
The ET,IS or in other words offset, varies due to size of rim(6.5/42)(7.0/47), which is in range and negligible.
Your concern over the rims not fitting over the front brakes is valid, according to my research, the only sure way is to test fit rims over front brakes.