Advice on Rims

[timmay_lars]

I'm a total newbie to mods, have stock 16" rims (sports package, nice ones), but really want something that looks a lot better (looks more 'performance' like).

As I understand it if I go to 17" I get 4x 225/45 tires.

If I go 18" rims, I need 225/40's (8" wide) on the front, and 255/35's (8.5" wide) on the back.

So my first question is what are the pro's/con's of 17vs18? I live in Boston and plan to keep my 16's for 3 Winter months. I think the 18's might look a little too 'pimped' or 'getto'.

My second question is I'm looking at OZ's Superleggera, and TOYO'S T1-S UHP. But these seem SOOOO expensive from a store vendor ($2.1k or $2.6k for 18's). I was told these are GREAT rims that will last a long time, and the the tires should be great for performance and last a while If I don't get on it too much. I plan on mostly highway miles, but I do want quality stuff (especially rims) that are going to last 10 years if I take care of them) and tires/rims that will perform when I get on it. I'm adding 100+HP over time to my 328i/E46. Are there better suggestions for Rim's/Tire's or where to get these?

Thanks sorry so wordy.

Timmay

[Relevart]

I'm adding 100+HP over time to my 328i/E46.

What are the means to acheave 50% power increase?
As far as rims goes, You can get OZ superlegera in 17" for about $1500 at tirerack.com ; on e-bay it is even less, if it isn't an oriental knock-off :nana .
For the performance I am concidering for next summer lightest wheels I can get for resonable money in 17": less then 15lb for about $350 per wheel.

If you live in Boston, I live just 30 mi north of you, I wouldn't reccomend 18" due to the road conditions: one contineous pothole... Besides, the rubber gonna cost you too.
I was at Bavarian Autosport last weekend, they have on display a nice two pice19" wheel that weighs with tire less then my OEM 16" rim alone $4500 set of four....

[white 330ci]

my neigbor has OZ superleggera 17''x 8 and he likes them, but he now wants to get 18'' to fit his huge brake kit that he is ordering, so if you are adding 100+ hp you might want to consider 18'' to fit larger brakes too.

[timmay_lars]

Thanks both on the Input. :P

On the performance question I'm going to add significant HP and Torque via the dinan mods. www.dinancars.com software, differencial, cool air intake, exhaust.

In addition I'm seriously considering the supercharger at http://www.esstuning.com/ that is made for the 328i, E46.

I Think I'm going 18" now based on what I'm hearing and what I saw at BMW this weekend.

Timmay