Summer tire widths? How big can you go?

[GnarlyCow]

I have a 2001 325Ci and am going to purchase new rims and tires next summer. I want to know how wide you can get without having to roll fenders or have the danger of rubbing. Is 225 in the front and 250 in the back as wide as you can go? That's what keeps being suggested to me.

[GnarlyCow]

I forgot to mention. I only want 18" rims.

[STALKER]

depending on the rim and your suspension set up, you will get away with 225 up front and a 255 out back, but your wheel selection, offset and suspension will be important factors to how wide you can go in the back.

[BabyBlack]

235 front and 255 rear is the best way to go without any rubbing

[E46]

225/40/18f and 255/35/18r

[M333ee]

depending on the rim and your suspension set up, you will get away with 225 up front and a 255 out back, but your wheel selection, offset and suspension will be important factors to how wide you can go in the back.

Pej is correct.

Wheel offset and suspension height play very big roles. Are you going to lower the car any?

[GnarlyCow]

I have no plans to lower the car at this time. For now, I have to drive my car in the winter, and I'd rather not be an expensive snowplow by having the car lowered. I could go fancy and put the coilovers in, but I'd be too afraid I'd scrape over any speedbump, or when pulling into some steeper driveways.

For now, lowering is out.

[STALKER]

Offset will then be your concern, also, the offset will be a factor if you ever decide to lower it depending on the tire size you choose. So you can either get the same size on all 4 corners, depending if you get a the same width rim at all ends or if you go with the staggered approach. The factory 18" ZHP wheels are staggered and run 225 up front and 255 out back, 40 and 35 series respectively. Try that out then. The wheel that you choose will really dictate how wide your tires should be.

[GnarlyCow]

I was kind of leaning towards getting the SSR GT3 rims (although I'm worried about cleaning in the little spaces inside the spokes. No other rim has 'jumped out' at me when I look at it...and having this 5x120 offset really limits the rims selection I find.

[STALKER]

These will work great and you can get them staggered with no probs. Don't worry about cleaning them, just do it often.

[BlueSky]

I was kind of leaning towards getting the SSR GT3 rims

just watch out...
SSR stands for "Super Soft Rim"... :blaaaa:
my friend had it and they are not that strong...

there are lots of people experiencing bent GT3s on fanatics...

[GnarlyCow]

Really? I thought this was one of hte strongest rims out there. What are some 'strong' brands?

[BlueSky]

BBS.

I've yet to try DPE.. i'll let u know soon.......... ;)

[M333ee]

I thought the SSR GT3's were strong. It was the 18" SSR Comp's that were being bent all over the place because they were so light. :confused:

[BlueSky]

no.. take a look on fanatics... GT3s are worse than Comps..
i haven't seen any reports on Comps being bent...
i guess Comps are forged but GT3s are cast...

btw... my friend almost bent all 4 of his GT3s in 1 summer, no accident, daily driving only...

[M333ee]

WOW.

I used to like the SSR's.....

[BlueSky]

they do look nice.. but u gotta drive really carefully...

[330i CDN]

BBS.

I've yet to try DPE.. i'll let u know soon.......... ;)

BBS wheels are nice and strong, light too. You can get a 9" rear in various styles (RE, RGR, RS-GT) if you're looking for that wide look in the rear. Lots of fitments for E46's, great quality wheels.

[GnarlyCow]

I found another set of rims I seem to like. Of course, they are much more money than the SSR :). What do you think of these ones?

Nice rims? (http://www.racdyn-usa.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=1&Product_Code=124.32.18.801&Category_Code=e46whe)

Would those be stronger than the SSRs?

[STALKER]

SSR are not the strongest rims, but dont let that put you that much off from getting them, they are not jellow. just be a little careful with them, thats all.

[M333ee]

I found another set of rims I seem to like. Of course, they are much more money than the SSR :). What do you think of these ones?

Nice rims? (http://www.racdyn-usa.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=1&Product_Code=124.32.18.801&Category_Code=e46whe)

Would those be stronger than the SSRs?

Stronger, nice but very expensive.

Look into the iForged group buy on E46Fanatics.

[GnarlyCow]

I didn't like any of the iforged rims that I saw. Perhaps I didn't see them all.