What is my stock wheel width? ( I have pic)

I have a '99 328i w/ SP.

I don't know the type number, but the are the 17" fat spoked ones.

I found a pic:

Somebody posted this neat link to photos of all the BMW wheel types:

http://www.kalach.easynet.be/bmw_wheels.htm

It looks like your wheels are type 44. Click on the ? icon above the image and it confirms that and indicates these wheels are 8" x 17".

Edit: Scratch that. It isn't clear whether the type 44s came on the SP or non-SP.

Style 44s ARE what he's got and ARE 17x8, and did NOT come with the non-SP.

This leads to my next question (I should probable post this by itself)...

If I put 17x8 wheels on my virtual car at the tirerack's upgrade garage it recommends tire size 235/40-17.

YET! When I opt for the rear wheels to be 17x9 the site recommends 225/45-17 for the fronts (still 17x8) and 245/40-17 for the rear.

So, currently I have 17x8 with 225/45-17.

What gives? Does this mean I have a choice of 225 or 235 for 8" wide wheels? If so, why not go with 235 on the staggered setup?

You may want to look at the recent 'To stagger or not to stagger' thread re: whether you want to stagger or not.

A wheel width isn't necessarily tied to a single tire width. A tire spec chart will show the allowable wheel widths for that size.

From my search I can only determine that either the jury is still out on the issue or it is up to personal preference.

I think I am going to wait until after winter to decide and order.

Thanks all for the help.

Originally Posted by noflash

This leads to my next question (I should probable post this by itself)...

If I put 17x8 wheels on my virtual car at the tirerack's upgrade garage it recommends tire size 235/40-17.

YET! When I opt for the rear wheels to be 17x9 the site recommends 225/45-17 for the fronts (still 17x8) and 245/40-17 for the rear.

So, currently I have 17x8 with 225/45-17.

What gives? Does this mean I have a choice of 225 or 235 for 8" wide wheels? If so, why not go with 235 on the staggered setup?

the reason for the differing recommended tire sizes is that a 235/40-17 has a smaller diameter (24.4") than the 245/40-17 (24.7"), but the 225/45-17 is a near match (24.8") and most people would want a wider tire on the wider rear wheel. You could also order the staggered wheel setup with 235/40's all around too if you wanted.

an advantage to using the 235/8" setup all-around is that you can rotate any wheel to any corner, staggered setups are a PITA in this regard

Originally Posted by TeamZ4

an advantage to using the 235/8" setup all-around is that you can rotate any wheel to any corner, staggered setups are a PITA in this regard

I originally had 235/40 on 8" F and 8.5 R. Despite the fact that my 8.5s fit up front, I wasn't really comfortable with it, so I ended up spending more money to get 2 more 8s to get all 4 wheels/tires of the identical size.

Granted, I've now spent too much money and have a pair of 18x8.5 wheels to get rid of, but I'm happy I did it.

Originally Posted by Kaz

and have a pair of 18x8.5 wheels to get rid of.

what brand/model wheel and offset?

Originally Posted by TeamZ4

what brand/model wheel and offset?

Alpina Softline 18x8.5ET50

ok, thought they might be SSR Comps or something