Best Size Wheel+ Tire Combo

[Edubs]

Im going to buy wheels soon, i have a 98 323is and i do like big wheels, i have had 20"s and 18"s on my truck. but they ride like crap. and they turn like crap too.

i was wondering what size wheel is the best
Based on Looks, comfort and performance
also a good tire size to go along with the wheels

I was thinking about 19's or 18's but i dont know how comfortable they would be so i though about 17's too

Thanks for any help

[ILiveToRide]

That's an impossible question used

But I think the factory size 17's are a good compromise.
Either 7.5" all around or staggered with 8.5" in the rear.

And like 225/45 -17 front and 235/40-17 rear (common M3 dimentions)

Narrower and higher profile is usually better for comfort.
215/45 -17 (on 17x7.5) would probably give you a more relaxed ride. And if you get a decent tire it will grip enough for daily driving and some pushing in the twisties.

[4evrwyntr]

psst. e36 m3's are 225 fronts and 245 rears...
But you're right, I think they're the best compromise.
Also, looking at cost efficiency. Keep in mind that (you probably might not have a problem with this, but who knows...) the wider the tire becomes, the more difficult it is to turn the wheel without speed. Not that you should turn the wheel at a standstill, but whatever.

[jshearer]

Common thing said here is 18's for bling and 17's for performance.

I really think both look great. Some people have problems with 18's rubbing, but this is more common with 19's(I would stay away from those). I bought 17's and put 235/40/17 all around so that if I wanted to I could swap front and rear tires. It is all up to you I think they look real similar unless they are side to side. Look around here and see what people have on their cars.

[Edubs]

yeah im thinkin either 18's or 17''s.. how rough of a ride is it with low pro's im tired of having an uncomfortable ride.. i had 20's and 18's on my truck and they rubbed horribly and rode like crap. whatever i get , i just dont wanna rub

Last night was the first time i took my car out.. i finally got her on the road. the handling is amazing compared to my truck.. i love my car..

[abemcclellan]

Originally posted by jshearer@Apr 26 2005, 11:42 AM
Common thing said here is 18's for bling and 17's for performance.

I really think both look great. Some people have problems with 18's rubbing, but this is more common with 19's(I would stay away from those). I bought 17's and put 235/40/17 all around so that if I wanted to I could swap front and rear tires. It is all up to you I think they look real similar unless they are side to side. Look around here and see what people have on their cars.

[snapback]337913[/snapback]

hey JShearer, how do those 17's ride with those low pros 40's? i think i'll be getting 225/45/17 all around on my new rims, because i drive quite a bit on the highway, so i don't want it beating up my car or anything.

[ILiveToRide]

Just to make sure, you all know that 215/45-17 has lower rubber height then 245/40 -17 right?

It's percentage of width, not fixed value.

18's or 19's don't rub because the rims are larger, but because the total diameter was increased when done wrong. Decreased profile height maintains diameter = no more rubbing.

[LivinFast67]

i run 17x8.5 rims with 235/40 all around. no rubbing except at the front a tiny bit on full lock, i've got about 7K on my potenza's can maybe get another 3 out because i drive the car like it's supposed to be driven all the time, 245/40's in the rear for me next time, i'll roll the fenders a little. i think the wider the better, but i could have lived with 225's in the front

[jshearer]

I have no problems with my 235/40/17 all around. The are the Fuzion ZRI and I really like them so far, and I have not heard anything bad about them yet when doing my research. It doesn't rub and is actually on my door sill as manufacturer optional tire size, so it tells me the pressure and such related to it. The 40 profile looks great and it really is fine to drive in. Here in Kansas City we don't have very good roads at all and I have to dodge the occasional pot hole but for normal road bumps no problems. I attibute part of that to my stock suspension though. I drove an E36 M3 the other day and it is definately a rougher/sportier ride. He had the same demension wheels and tires as me too.

[Furious]

i currently run 17x8 with 235/40/17 which is pretty good, i do get some tram-lining but that also is an attribute to the sticky tires.

im going to 18x8.5 with 225/40/18 i dunno how good they are gonna be but im excited to see.

[tomctx]

i was wondering what size wheel is the best
Based on Looks, comfort and performance
also a good tire size to go along with the wheels

17's with either 225/45 or 235/40 seem pretty much the norm for the E36. If I hadn't gotten a deal on my 16's, that's would be the way I would have went.

[Turbodefrost]

i have 18x8.5 with 225/40/18 all around. my ride hight is lowered about an inch, so when i tried 235/40/18 on back, i had terrible rubbing problems (my fenders are not rolled). Depending on where you live, and what kind of roads you will be driving on will make your decision between 18s or 17s. i drive on fairly rough roads and 18 work fine for me. i LOVE the look of the bigger wheel. But 17s can be argued to be better for performance and having a bit of a smoother ride. my buddy has 17's w/ 235/45/17 all around and has no problems. but i can't tell much of a difference as far as ride comfort.

[Furious]

for looks (talking 18's) the best size is 225/35/18.