E46 325i Wheels - Stock 16" to 17" M Sport? Differences?

[dgravenor]

Hey, did a quick search and hard to find exactly this question.

Will E46 3-series M Sport wheels bolt on to the stock E46 325i?

I have a 2003 325i with the stock 16" wheels (Front 205/55R16 16 inches x7J +47 offset, Rear 225/45R17 17 x 7.5J +41 offset).

I have the chance to get a really cheap set of E46 M Sport wheels (front 17 x 7.5J +41 225/45R17, Rear 17x 8.5J +50 225/45R17), but I can't test fit.

The rears will add almost an inch to the inner side of the wheel well.

My assumption is that it should be OK, but I don't know if there were any suspension or brake changes with the M Sport that allowed for the wider rear wheels.

[All2kool]

Will E46 3-series M Sport wheels bolt on to the stock E46 325i?

Yep. Many E9x wheel are also direct bolt-ons too. Visit this website to compare specs and see the myriad of options for your E46.

http://www.bmwstylewheels.com/3

[All2kool]

Yep. Many E9x wheel are also direct bolt-ons too.

For example, my 2002 left Germany with BMW Style 44 Wheels ET47 but now wears a staggered set of BMW E90 Style 286 Wheels ET34/39 on 235/45/17 tires just fine.

[All2kool]

I have a 2003 325i with the stock 16" wheels .....Rear +41 offset). I have the chance to get a really cheap set of E46 M Sport wheels....Rear 17x 8.5J +50. The rears will add almost an inch to the inner side of the wheel well.

The offset of a wheel is the distance from the hub mounting surface to the center line of the wheel. The difference in these two offset numbers is 9mm, or .35", slightly more than 1/3 of an inch. That would be unnoticeable.

[dgravenor]

Thanks for the link above.

I believe it has Style 45's right now.

And I have a chance to get a set of Style 68's for cheap, with decent tires.

The offset of a wheel is the distance from the hub mounting surface to the center line of the wheel. The difference in these two offset numbers is 9mm, or .35", slightly more than 1/3 of an inch. That would be unnoticeable.

Yes, I understand how offset works. But the difference here is that the rear wheel is 1" wider than the ones that are on there. While the outside of the wheel isn't pushed out much, the rest is pushed towards the strut.

I'm more familiar with Subaru spacing, and without adjusting the camber, adding spacers, or widening the wheel arches, typically you can't just add an extra inch.

I couldn't find any spec sheet that details the differences between the M Sport and the stock version. So assuming it should be easy for the factory to add the M Sport option, I would think it should be bolt ons.

I'm going to give the go-ahead to buy the wheels and cross my fingers.

[dworthy]

The "Sports" option came in 2 flavors for the U.S. it was either the ZHP on the 330i or the ZSP on the 325i or 330i. The ZSP was the seats, bumpers steering wheel, springs, shocks and 17' rims. The ZHP received the engine tuning, and 18' rims to add to the the other stuff.

But in a nut shell to answer, yes the 18 x 8.5 ET-50 will fit on the rears. You can run either a 255-35 R18 or the 245-35 R18 on that rim.

[All2kool]

And I have a chance to get a set of Style 68's for cheap....

Bolt right on and drive away.

[dgravenor]

Bolt right on and drive away.

Done. Couldn't pass up about $230 USD for a set with decent tread left on its continental tires. Won't get to see them for a month, but I think should be worth it.