Advice: Going from 17s to 16s on 325 sport package - not winter tires!

[Makakio]

Hi all - would appreciate some advice and possibly a pic or two on this topic: I loooove my '03 325i sport w/17s. Looks killer and handles GREAT. But I've also noticed that some major highways and byways around this great Bay Area are falling increasingly into disrepair. This has already caused some wheel/tire damage to my car and I find that I'm now adapting to the expectation of an ever-increasingly-rough daily commute. SO, I'm wondering:

1) if anyone has softened the approach of the SP at all by going DOWN from 17s to 16s with higher-aspect summer-type tires,

2) what size tires you would go with

3) what this looks like (does it disturb the wheel/well relationship with big gaps or rubbing or other funky-looking/working issues)

4) if there is any problem fitting 16s over the brakes on a 325 SP (I don't think they have the bigger brakes of the 330 but I'm not certain)

5) if anyone out there has a pic of what this setup might look like

My thought is that adding a little aspect-rubber might soften the blows a bit and smooth the ride a bit while still allowing for 8/10ths driving (I never drive 10/10ths as I don't track). Also, higher-aspect rubber CAN look good if fitted snugly at the wheel wells and if it doesn't cause the exterior surface of the wheel to retreat a bunch into the wheel well (a spacing/offset issue).

Someone out there has got to have experience with this. Holla back you NY/NJ guys - I hear the roads out there SUCK and that you guys ride around on 13s with 85-seies whitewalls to avoid hemms. :)

Maka

[LMC]

Option A -- Keep your 17-inch wheels and fit 205/50R-17 tires. Not much extra rubber for damage control, but has the advantage of minimizing cost.

Option B -- Fit 16-inch wheels and 225/50R-16 tires. Lots of good tires in this size. Or, if you want to give up a little more handling to gain a little more pothole-cushioning height, 205/55R-16.

All these tire sizes are OE BMW E46 325 sizes with no brake or other fitment issues (assuming the correct wheel offset) and will keep the speedo/odometer values.

[HW]

205/55R16 or 225/50R16 your choice of these factory fitments.

330 - 17" min
325/328/323Cic - 16" min
320/323(not Cic) - 15" min

[Desertnate]

My 323i with the SP came with 225/50/16's on 16X7 wheels. I find the handling and ride to be very good. The only thing you might want to consider is with the taller tires you would probably want tires with a stiffer sidewall in order to provide the same driving experience you had with the 17".

[Makakio]

Thanks guys. Any pics out there of these fitments with the e46 SP?

[Desertnate]

Not a great pic and I am not too fond of these wheeels, but here is my car.

http://www.m5fanatics.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=31598

[kyfdx]

Thanks guys. Any pics out there of these fitments with the e46 SP?

Actually, since the sport package sits lower, it should look better with 16" wheels, than the stock 325i...

I suggest 225/50-16.. So, you at least keep the wide tire look from the front and rear..

205/50-17 have the same sidewall height as your current 225/45-17, so that wouldn't help cushioning at all...

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

205/55R16 or 225/50R16 your choice of these factory fitments.

330 - 17" min
325/328/323Cic - 16" min
320/323(not Cic) - 15" min
323iT has the medium sized brakes as well.

[Makakio]

Thansk guys. KYFDX - really appreciate the tip on 205/70 not offering more sidewall height - that was a concept I've been thinking about. :thumbup: Will 225/50/17 fit w/o rubbing and offer more sidewall cush?

[kyfdx]

Thansk guys. KYFDX - really appreciate the tip on 205/70 not offering more sidewall height - that was a concept I've been thinking about. :thumbup: Will 225/50/17 fit w/o rubbing and offer more sidewall cush?

I doubt that would fit.. You really have to stay with the same overall height of the tire.. So, the only way to get more sidewall height is to go with a smaller wheel.. 16" vs. 17".. But, if you go with all-season tires instead of summer tires, they usually have more cushion.. You might try that first..

[mhiggi02]

Hi all - would appreciate some advice and possibly a pic or two on this topic: I loooove my '03 325i sport w/17s. Looks killer and handles GREAT. But I've also noticed that some major highways and byways around this great Bay Area are falling increasingly into disrepair. This has already caused some wheel/tire damage to my car and I find that I'm now adapting to the expectation of an ever-increasingly-rough daily commute. SO, I'm wondering:

1) if anyone has softened the approach of the SP at all by going DOWN from 17s to 16s with higher-aspect summer-type tires,

2) what size tires you would go with

3) what this looks like (does it disturb the wheel/well relationship with big gaps or rubbing or other funky-looking/working issues)

4) if there is any problem fitting 16s over the brakes on a 325 SP (I don't think they have the bigger brakes of the 330 but I'm not certain)

5) if anyone out there has a pic of what this setup might look like

My thought is that adding a little aspect-rubber might soften the blows a bit and smooth the ride a bit while still allowing for 8/10ths driving (I never drive 10/10ths as I don't track). Also, higher-aspect rubber CAN look good if fitted snugly at the wheel wells and if it doesn't cause the exterior surface of the wheel to retreat a bunch into the wheel well (a spacing/offset issue).

Someone out there has got to have experience with this. Holla back you NY/NJ guys - I hear the roads out there SUCK and that you guys ride around on 13s with 85-seies whitewalls to avoid hemms. :)

Maka

I've got style #44 16's on my '03 325 with 225 Conti's on them. Let me know if you'd like to discuss a trade + possible $$.

[Makakio]

I've got style #44 16's on my '03 325 with 225 Conti's on them. Let me know if you'd like to discuss a trade + possible $$.

My current 17" fittment (type 96s) has new Avon Mtech500 summers on it. Not a fair trade and I haven't yet decided to do this. Although 3s ar as popular as Accords out here I have yet to see a 16" fitment on an E46 with sport that doesn't make the wheels look like they're sitting back deep inside the wheel wells and that the fenders are simply gaping over the edge of the wheels by two or three inches.

It looks really wimpy. I've noticed however that the 1994-1998 3 series (e36?) with sport wore 16" wheels with 50 or 55 series rubber and they offset the packet correctly from the factory so that it also came flush with the edge of the fender.

My current setup looks right: edge of fenders even with edge of tires/wheels.

Maybe the 46/sport just can't be made to look this way with 16s. Ah well - I love how sharp the car handles and will plan to grow a little more tush cushion I guess. ;)