17" wheels and tire fitment question

[mostwired]

I'm buying a new set of 17" wheels for my E36, with following specs:
17x8, 40mm offset

What's the widest tire I can fit? Is 235 too much, or should I go with 225?

 

[frolf]

i think we can go up to 245 in the rear, and 235 in front.

 

[Kenny2g]

I don't know about them 245's . I had them and was way too big. The rubbed like hell. However, my rims was from a 5series and stick out a little bit. I'll just go with 225/45/17 if i was you.
Good luck.

 

[frolf]

yeah, 5series has a different offset. and you might've had bigger tires? like a 45 profile would be huge on a 245

 

[Kenny2g]

your correct. Even though i went to a 225/45/17, they still rub like hell with someone on the back. Thinking about getting my fenders beat out a little or just taking the rims off and going with a new set.

 

[manuel]

mostwired, 235 all around would be perfect for your type of wheel...though i think you might like a fatter tire in the rear so get 245 in the rear...

 

[jcblaschke]

I though BMW's (at least E36) had 120mm offset. Maybe I am wrong but that's what mine are.

 

[Average Jae]

120?? that sounds really big, that's like 5 inches, thought most were in the 30s and 40s.. course i could be wrong

 

[manuel]

I though BMW's (at least E36) had 120mm offset. Maybe I am wrong but that's what mine are.

you mean a 5x120 bolt pattern?
this site has a nice guide

 

[mostwired]

mostwired, 235 all around would be perfect for your type of wheel...though i think you might like a fatter tire in the rear so get 245 in the rear...

I have a choice of 235/45 R17 and 235/40 R17. Anybody had the fist ones (front or rear)? Any rubbing at all? Are Falken good tires overall for dry weather?

 

[manuel]

id get 235/40...as for rubbing issues, i doubt youll get any. btw, what falken tire are you getting? fk451?

http://www.epinions.com/content_73003142788

 

[mostwired]

I was thinking Falken Azenis Asymmetrical -

http://www.epinions.com/Falken_Azenis_Asymmetrical_Passenger_Performance_Tire/display_~full_specs

I figured pretty good reviews, very sticky tires. But the ones I can get are 225/45/17.

 

[manuel]

225 on a 8" wide wheel?...you will chew up your wheels in a matter of days. i wouldnt get anything smaller than a 235. this is just my opinion. g'luck

 

[carcus]

I run 225 45 17

Will work perfect.....just what I am running on my 97 328IC.

 

[carcus]

225 on a 8" wide wheel?...you will chew up your wheels in a matter of days. i wouldnt get anything smaller than a 235. this is just my opinion. g'luck

The wider the wheel...then you will chew up the tires on the wheel wells, the width is what bites the tires. 225 is perfect, the wider the fatter the tire tread, if you go too big, the tire will be hard to bead.

The 8 inch rim.....225 is perfect fit, great wear. A fatter width requires a wider rim to use the tread....more traction and a fatter meat....requires more power....on muscle cars, a fatter tire is better.....not always so on a BMW. Just my 2 cents.

 

[manuel]

225 on a 8"? that seems fairly thin...i still say 235.
bmw even agrees with me...they supply m3s with 225s on a their 17x7.5 wheels.
tirerack even recommends using a 235...

 

[bmw4life13]

i was looking at somem hamann rims which are sweet. hm2 would look nice on an e36. what is the measurement 235,etc about ? sorry about the ignorant question but i'm trying to learn more about wheels

 

[manuel]

http://www.dunloptire.com/tiretech_101/how_to_read_sidewall/index.htm

there ya go! should explain everything you want to know.

 

[mostwired]

I'd love to get 235s. But there's one problem - 235/40R17 are hard to come by. Plenty of 235/45s available though. My concern is overall wheel height. Original factory ones are 205/60R15, which makes a total height of the wheel and tire (top to bottom) be 205*.6 + 15*25.4 = 504 mm. Very close to this is 235/40R17, which is 235*.4 + 17*25.4 = 526 mm (difference of 2 cm with stock). When you go 235/45R17, height is 538 mm. I am not sure if the extra 3 centimeters can be acommodated... The best match is with 225/45R17. But then again I wasn't sure about the proper tire width.

 

[tyman]

Let me say that i think you would be very happy with 225-45-17,On my 99,328is,e36 i have the e46 type 44 Mags,and am wearing 225-45-17 and it works well,even with a 1.5" drop,with no rubbing and you can still put that special person and all the friends,and still no rubbing. Know about the tires, am thinking about getting the Falken FK-451,They have an Exotic look and from what i have read the Performance is there also,and all this for a good price$ 92.00 each.My friend is running the Falken Azenis ST-115 and he is very happy with them and they are even cheeper $89.00
Guys any of you running Falken's please let us know what they are like.