17" wheels and tire fitment question

[bmw4life13]

which wheels provide better performance for an e36 17" vs 18"? what are some good brands to get? i've looked at some hamann at bavarian autosport but they are $$$$. just wondering if there are other brands out there that are considered good quality. i realize that i'll probably have to pay more for forged rims as opposed to cast wheels. what's the big difference between forged vs cast wheels? i've been told that forged wheels are stronger and lighter.

 

[bmw325conv]

mostwired- you can run either the 225/45/17 or 235/40/17. You will not have any problems rubbing because your using a 40mm offset. I work at a tire and wheel shop and I do this all the time. Even with the 8" width, the 225 will fit pretty flush with the rim. Just as long you get a tire with a rim protector on it. Most Falken tire have them. You'll get a slightly smoother ride with the 225 but you'll get a cooler, thiner sidewall with the 235. Like you said, you have the right overall diameter as your stock tire so you wont have any problems. If you going with the 225, the Azenis are great perfomance tire, good handling, quick reactions but they suck in the rain. They get very slippery.

 

[SAC]

Mostwired - I have 235/40/17 Pirelli P7000s on Mille Miglia sport rims. They look great and no rubbing at all. They are slightly narrower than the rims. I wouldn't go taller but maybe a smidge wider. When I need new ones I will probably go with 245/40/17s.

 

[carcus]

Mine fit pretty well....any wider would not make a difference to me.

 

[mostwired]

Finally got wheels and tires.

Wheels: Voxx R Action 17x8
Tires: 225/45R17 Michelin Pilot HX

 

[mostwired]

more pics

 

[mostwired]

Petitioning to raise 50k file size limit to a 100k size. We demand better quality!!!

 

[scotty]

I have a 17x8 with a 38mm off set with a 235/40/17 kumho 712 on my 92 318i
with a Tokico Illumina Suspension Kit witch drop the car 1.25
It rubs in the front a little when I turn the wheel all the way and the back rubs a little over bumps if their are 4 poeple in the car.
But nothing to worry about.
If your car is not lowered 235/40/17 or 235/45/17 should not be any problem.

 

[bmw4life13]

what made you decide to get the 235/45 vs the 235/40? also did you get a wheel alignment since you upgraded your wheels? i just installed 17"x8.5 hamann hm3's for my car and i was told that i would need a new 4-wheel alignment.

 

[frolf]

heads up for that curb

 

[mostwired]

what made you decide to get the 235/45 vs the 235/40? also did you get a wheel alignment since you upgraded your wheels? i just installed 17"x8.5 hamann hm3's for my car and i was told that i would need a new 4-wheel alignment.

You mean 225/45 vs 235/40 (if the question is to me, that is)? Well the 225 has a little less overall diameter that my stock wheels, and 235 would have a little more. As these wheels added some weight (a few pounds per wheel), I decided to sacrifice on top speed a bit and ease the load on the engine. Maybe it's not THAT much of a load with slightly larger diameter wheels, I donnow for sure (anyone good in physics here gimme an estimate ). Also, for heavy wheels AND wide tires, my steering pump might get busted sooner than later (I have over 120k on the car).

And yeah, you need to run a new alignment. Car was a bit unsteady before I did that. Also, am considering replacing front ball joints with metallic mount ones, like on M3s. Does anyone know what it takes timewise, and if it's a hard DIY job, or a shop one?

 

[jlfarley]

I'm going to get my fender tips rolled. Should I go to a body shop for this, or a tire shop, or some other auto shop?

 

[carcus]

I'm going to get my fender tips rolled. Should I go to a body shop for this, or a tire shop, or some other auto shop?

I would say a body shop unless you want it done Ghetto......I have a tool box......I am cheap.[fake]