Wheel/Tire Advice

I'm new to the forum. Just purchased my 3rd BMW. Wanted something economical yet fun to drive to and from work each day. I need advice on wheel/tire options.

I just bought a CPO 2010 328i Base model with manual tranny. Currently, the car has factory 16inch wheels and brand new set of Continental ContiProContact SSR's 205/55 R16 91H. I have two goals in mind.

1st-I Don't want run flats
2nd-I'd like to get into a larger, sportier wheel, preferably a BMW OEM wheel, but I don't want to have to modify the car in any way. I'm not sure, but I'm hoping the car can take 18 inch wheels.

I looked at a 335i with the MSport package and I loved the look of the wheels. Didn't buy that car because of the automatic transmission.

Advice from all you experts please.

Originally Posted by njjay

I'm new to the forum. Just purchased my 3rd BMW. Wanted something economical yet fun to drive to and from work each day. I need advice on wheel/tire options.

I just bought a CPO 2010 328i Base model with manual tranny. Currently, the car has factory 16inch wheels and brand new set of Continental ContiProContact SSR's 205/55 R16 91H. I have two goals in mind.

1st-I Don't want run flats
2nd-I'd like to get into a larger, sportier wheel, preferably a BMW OEM wheel, but I don't want to have to modify the car in any way. I'm not sure, but I'm hoping the car can take 18 inch wheels.

I looked at a 335i with the MSport package and I loved the look of the wheels. Didn't buy that car because of the manual transmission.

Yes you can put 18" rims on just make sure you get the right offset on the rims!

Except for M3 wheels, all E9x wheels can fit any E9x (except you can't put 16" on 335, since brakes are too big to fit.) Check tirerack for wheel and tire sizes. Pay attention to offset if you buy non-oem.

Originally Posted by floydarogers

Except for M3 wheels, all E9x wheels can fit any E9x (except you can't put 16" on 335, since brakes are too big to fit.) Check tirerack for wheel and tire sizes. Pay attention to offset if you buy non-oem.

So these will not work?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-M-Series...8ea60d&vxp=mtr

Thanks

Originally Posted by njjay

So these will not work?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-M-Series...8ea60d&vxp=mtr

Thanks

No, they will not. Too wide and wrong offset.

Thanks

Originally Posted by floydarogers

No, they will not. Too wide and wrong offset.

That looks like the M3 wheel that is the 18x8 square setup, if it is then the offset is not right (lI think that wheel has a et29 offset). So no way to make it fit. Thsi is assuming the listing information (8x18) is correct, of course.

But 8" is not too wide for a 328i. Stock 18" wheels are 8" wide in front, and either 8" or 8.5" (depending on square or staggered setup) for rear.

Originally Posted by andrew b

That looks like the M3 wheel that is the 18x8 square setup, if it is then the offset is not right (lI think that wheel has a et29 offset). So no way to make it fit. Thsi is assuming the listing information (8x18) is correct, of course.

But 8" is not too wide for a 328i. Stock 18" wheels are 8" wide in front, and either 8" or 8.5" (depending on square or staggered setup) for rear.

That wheel definitely doesn't exist on any M3 sold so far and doesn't appear to be an M5 wheel (since no 18" wheels exist for the past two generations on the M5). Also, no M3 is sold with a square setup of any kind.

That appears to be the M-sport wheel (Style 403 I believe) for F30 3-series which will fit the E9X just fine.

Originally Posted by njjay

Thanks

My reply was predicated upon them being M3 wheels. If they aren't, they may fit, as the others have noted. Offset for E90 is usually Et34; I can't read the offset from the pics posted.

Originally Posted by CT

That wheel definitely doesn't exist on any M3 sold so far and doesn't appear to be an M5 wheel (since no 18" wheels exist for the past two generations on the M5). Also, no M3 is sold with a square setup of any kind.

That appears to be the M-sport wheel (Style 403 I believe) for F30 3-series which will fit the E9X just fine.

That is a BMW M3 winter wheel. Style 270, offered on the M3 and 1M. You can see it here, and also here, along with all the specs. Or Google "BMW Type 270" for lots of additional links, including ones for sale on the various M forums. That's a pretty low price, if it holds up, on eBay. Too bad it's ET20, so won't fit an E9x.

Here is the master list, kind of useful. You can navigate even without knowing German.
http://felgenkatalog.auto-treff.com/

Well I'll be damned. I've never even seen a picture of an M with those wheels.

Originally Posted by CT

Well I'll be damned. I've never even seen a picture of an M with those wheels.

I found them because I like that look, and got all excited, then discovered the offset was way off. Didn't have my links handy earlier, so couldn't be definitive.



Square is the preferred setup for snow, so even the Ms come with them if you buy a snow setup.

Nice car. Thank you all for your help. What a knowledgable group. I guess I'll just keep looking.

J

Originally Posted by njjay

Nice car. Thank you all for your help. What a knowledgable group. I guess I'll just keep looking.

J

Not mine, just posted it so CT could see the wheels

nnjay, might get some suggestions if you post what you're looking for - budget, etc.

Personally, I'm looking to get a set of Apex EC-7 or Arc-8 when it's time to replace the tires. Well-made (rotary or flow forged), very lightweight, good looking. Not cheap, but with wheels, you definitely get what you pay for.

OEM wheels will be pricey. You can get good quality for less if you look at some of the known, reputable manufacturers. Many have wheels that are very very similar to OEM designs, and with an OEM center cap I suspect not many will know the difference (except for us afficianados, who might actually like a cool set of wheels better than OEM).

Check out some of the sponsor vendors here, at least to get an idea of what you like. I'd be very careful of buying wheels off eBay, not only for condition but for the chance you're going to get a cheap knock-off of a well known wheel.

Originally Posted by andrew b

Not mine, just posted it so CT could see the wheels

nnjay, might get some suggestions if you post what you're looking for - budget, etc.

Personally, I'm looking to get a set of Apex EC-7 or Arc-8 when it's time to replace the tires. Well-made (rotary or flow forged), very lightweight, good looking. Not cheap, but with wheels, you definitely get what you pay for.

OEM wheels will be pricey. You can get good quality for less if you look at some of the known, reputable manufacturers. Many have wheels that are very very similar to OEM designs, and with an OEM center cap I suspect not many will know the difference (except for us afficianados, who might actually like a cool set of wheels better than OEM).

Check out some of the sponsor vendors here, at least to get an idea of what you like. I'd be very careful of buying wheels off eBay, not only for condition but for the chance you're going to get a cheap knock-off of a well known wheel.

These Apex wheels look very good. Anyone had any negative experience with them?

If I went with these, my next question is Square or Staggered setup? I now live in Texas but may be moving to Colorado next summer for work. If want 18" All Season, Not Run Flat, what would you recommend? I'd like to be all in Wheels/Tires for less than $1,750.

Thanks for your help.

J

Originally Posted by njjay

These Apex wheels look very good. Anyone had any negative experience with them?

If I went with these, my next question is Square or Staggered setup? I now live in Texas but may be moving to Colorado next summer for work. If want 18" All Season, Not Run Flat, what would you recommend? I'd like to be all in Wheels/Tires for less than $1,750.

Thanks for your help.

J

I've heard nothing but positive things about Apex.

I'd talk directly to the folks at Apex, or at one of the venders that sells Apex with tires as an option package (EAS, European Auto Sports), is one I have talked with about an Apex wheel/tire combo. I'm not sure you can do APex wheels and tires under $1750, but I've been pricing RFTs.

With non-RFT you will have a few more choices, you might be able to go a bit wider than normal/OEM.

A ciouple other brands you might check are VMR (the 710 comes in an 18") and Avant Garde. They aren't quite as expensive as the Apex. Pretty sure ModBargains and a couple other sponsor venders here carry those.

I'd recommend that you check out the Sportline CS.16 wheels which feature a classic CSL design. The wheels are also rotary forged and are not only light weight but are also very strong!

You can run a staggered fitment on your 09 BMW E90 LCI 328i without any issues. I'd recommend that you go with the 18x8.5 ET35 with a 235/40/18 up front and the 18x9.5 ET45 with a 265/35/18 in the rear. This will fit perfectly and will not cause any rubbing issues. If you're looking for an all season tire, I'd recommend for you to check out the Continental DWS. I can put a wheel/tire/tpms package together for you as well

Below are a couple installed pictures on an E90 pre lci which will give you a good idea how the wheels look!