PLEASE READ BEFORE POST: The ultimate wheel/tire fitment thread.

[Jim@tirerack]

I can recommend a less expensive tire but there is no way to know wheter they will tramline or not. What are you looking for out of the tire?

[franka]

1) No tramling 2) No or low noise 3) Wet traction 4) Dry traction. 275/35-18s

[Jim@tirerack]

I would say try the Goodyear GSD3 or the Avon Tech M500. The Goodyear would be very similay to the PS2 and the Avon one step down but a much better price.

[jhanshaw]

Gents,
Got a question. I presently have a 1996 328I with BBS RK 17X8 38mm offset rims. I plan on selling the car to get a 2002 M3 and was wondering if these wheels would fit on the M3. Ya, I know that sounds stupid but I'll have to drive this thing year round in Michigan and would mount winter tires on the BBS rims. I'm not too concerned about the offset, I'm worried that the M3's breaks, (rotors/calipers), might not clear the smaller wheels?

[Rea///M3]

Hi there,

I have an E46 M3 convertible and i want to get 19 inch SSR GT3's, but i am not sure whether they will fit and what the ride will be like, etc... The wheels are 19"x8.5" Offset 43 (Front) & 19"x9.5" Offset 43 (rear), with 5x120 bolt pattern. Tires are Fuzion ZRi By Bridgestone: 235/35/19 (Front) & 245/35/19 (Rear).
Please give me any suggestions and/or comments you have on this because i've never shopped for wheels before.

Thanks!
Rea

[Jim@tirerack]

They will not fit the E46 M3 with the rear wheel. You would need the 24mm offset rear wheel. The wheels you mention will fit a regular E46 not the M3.

[numberthree]

Hi will E46 M3 wheels (18x8 front, and 18x9 rear) fit an E34?

[jhanshaw]

Thanks a lot Jim I appreciate it. Looks like I'll be selling these wheels with the 328I then.

[peteranton]

If people take as much time as they take to post to actually read the thread; They wouldn't be asking so many questions on wheel fitments. This thread is a dead horse.

Well, I'm up to page 11 now (after 1 hour invested, 3 pages to go ), and still have not seen my question posted (and answered). I don't blame them......

[cala81]

1996 840ci with original 16" wheels. I am looking to upgrade to 17's or 18's. First, should I go to 18's or stay at 17? Second, should I stagger the front and back or can a go with 4 same size tires? Third what dimensions/offset am I looking for? Thanks.

[redflame]

18x8.5 35mm offset...

would that work with 225/40/18 on a e36 non-m?


-Sam

[Jim@tirerack]

You would have to do some work on the car to make the 35mm offset work. Maybe roll the fender lips or more negative camber.

[redflame]

how bout for a 38mm offset 18x8.5?

would that work? and will 225's be the widest i can go em?

-Sam

[ruffytdog]

Hi,

I would like to know if the wheels that are claimed to fit my '99 M Coupe correct. Particularly the rear wheels. For example, I pick a wheel (let's say ASA AR1) in the 18" combo. Then click more details. It would say the rear wheels would be 18x9 with a +45mm offset.

Sounds way off considering the stock rear wheels are +8mm offset.

So is the website wrong?

Thanks,

Mike

[Bassem]

One more into the pile. I searched and searched but no I could find no specific question like this.

E36 M3 (98). I have the 17x8 OZ Superleggeras (40mm offset) for track tires. Used to run 235/40 A032s on them. These have been discontinued and I'm wondering if I could run the 245/40 A048s on them without any rubbing concerns up front. I feel safe about the rears.

Based on available info for this specific tire, a 225 section tire on 8" wheels will have a 9" section width, and a 245 section tire will have a 9.6 section width.

Any help would be extremely appreciated.

Bassem

[Jim@tirerack]

You would really need a wider wheel to run the 245/40R17 tires. It also normally requires more negative camber and possibly spacers.

[EEEEeeee36]

Hey Jim,

Will 18 x 9.5 et38 fit on an E36 - basically will it rub the strut? I know fender would probably need rolling... what tire size would you recommend on that also?

Thanks! I don't think you have the rims (they are FM Replicas), but I will need the tires.

[Jim@tirerack]

I am pretty sure they are going to rub the wheel wells.

[pchase]

E90 rims on an e36? Is this doable? Specifically 17 x 7.5's up front and 17 x 8.5's in the rear? All 40mm offset.
Thanks,
Pete

[Jim@tirerack]

Yes they would be doable with the 40mm offset.

[EEEEeeee36]

Hey Jim,

Will 18 x 9.5 et38 fit on an E36 - basically will it rub the strut? I know fender would probably need rolling... what tire size would you recommend on that also?

Thanks! I don't think you have the rims (they are FM Replicas), but I will need the tires

I am pretty sure they are going to rub the wheel wells.

So I would just need some 5-10mm spacers then? I know I would need to roll the fenders for them to tuck.

[photopaintball]

I am looking for wheels and tires for a 325i e36:
this info is in a thread i made too but...

Fast street / occasional track
Not for snow/ice
performance first
comfort last
wear should not be too fast
fairly cheap
reliable

How wide can I go without any rubbing or problems?
I dont really want to go staggered but I will if its reccomended and not more $$.

[Jim@tirerack]

I would suggest the Kumho MX for the tires. They are a very good handling tire they are reasonably priced. For the wheels you would just have to look at the styles and make a choice.
If I can help let me know.

[photopaintball]

hmm, what I am really looking for is some advice on sizes I guess

I hear a lot of discussion about sizes on the e36 but most of it involves spacers or staggering.

What I want is same size front back, and as wide as I can go (performance)

If I have to use wheel spacers -any downsides? If not then Ill go as wide as I can without body modification.

So what tire and wheel size?

ps. i researched the tires you suggestions and the look great, definately what I am planning on buying when I get wheels

[Bassem]

Jim, one more question.

98 E36 M3 again. For 19 by 8.5 wheels, I noted that the wheels you sell vary in offset between 35 and 43 mm depending on manufacturer. The ones I am interested in are 40mm offset. Running 235/35 tires all around, would there be any issues? Would spacers only be needed if the backspacing isn't sufficient or would they be 100% needed?

Thanks again,
Bassem