19x8.5 / 19x9.5" CSL wheels, best tire sizes?

I am going to be taking the plunge and buying some real CSL wheels to replace my ZCP's...

I wish they made something lighter in the lineup with the concave look...I like the RE-Mg's on paper, but not the LM look they have.

What tire sizes are the 'best' to run? Not necessarily the biggest I can fit on the wheel.

Anything offer a rim protector? My current ZCP's are badly curbed and don't want to risk that.

I think the recommended setup here would be 235 in the front and 255 or 265 in the rear. It could be pushed to a 245 / 275 combo but then the turning angle and rub issues start to creep up. For the tyre wall size i would potentially go for 30 all round. I've got conti sport contact tyres which are slightly wider than the actual alloy and offer curbing protection.

I have the ContiSportContact M3's on my wheels now and the previous owner was able to curb them all .

Are the non-M3 different?

Ah, it depends on the alloy size. Are you doing 8.5j in the front and 9.5j in the back. When i get the chance i'll upload a picture of my set up. the tyres over hang the alloy thus making it nearly impossible to kerb.

It's whatever the factory real CSL wheels came in

Personally, I try to minimize the stagger.

Originally Posted by Pinecone

Personally, I try to minimize the stagger.

The 8.5/9.5" setup is more square than the stock 8/9.5" setup

Originally Posted by alkemyst

The 8.5/9" setup is more square than the stock 8/9" setup

The CSL wheels are actually 8.5/9.5", so it's pretty much the same and really depends on the tires you get. The only stock setup that is 8/9" is the 18s, both the 19s and ZCP run 8/9.5".

Originally Posted by Pendulum

The CSL wheels are actually 8.5/9.5", so it's pretty much the same and really depends on the tires you get. The only stock setup that is 8/9" is the 18s, both the 19s and ZCP run 8/9.5".

The CSL and ZCP cars use the same rears. Yeah should have had 9.5" above...they are a more 'square' look than the ZCP setup being wider and closer to the edge of the fender.

This topic is more about what tire size is best on them though...

Wheel width is only a starting point. Tire width is what really controls stagger.

Going with a 245/265 setup is more square than the 245/275 setup mentioned.

Personally, I run a 265 all round setup on my car.

Originally Posted by Pinecone

Wheel width is only a starting point. Tire width is what really controls stagger.

Going with a 245/265 setup is more square than the 245/275 setup mentioned.

Personally, I run a 265 all round setup on my car.

what's your car? and what wheels?

E46 M3. But I run a set of stock wheels, except that all 4 are rear wheels.

You have to increase negative camber to make this work, but just swapping the front hats will give you enough.

That would put the front wheel 1.5" further out just negative camber can fix that?

Yeap.

It looks like it will touch, but it doesn't. I ran single adjustable Konis with the 4x rears and 265s for several years. Then put a TC Kline suspension on the car.

Very common setup for E46 M3s. Roy Hopkins ran the setup on an E46 M3 in the One Lap of America. In fact my two extra fronts came from him. As did a set of 4x 265 tires.

pics?

Michelin Pilot Sport 2 (all season) are the best around tires... I've tried Conti, Pirelli, etc

The Sport 2 is awesome in wet and dry. The ride is smooth and quite.

I have the following setup and no problems...

255-35-19 front and 275-30-19 rear

The all season is the Pilot Sport A/S. It's a great tire if an all season is all you need.

My new problem is I still want CSL wheels but had to buy Pilot Super Sports in the stock sizes of 225/40R19 and 255/35R19. I don't know how the front tire will be on a 8.5" wheel.

Anyone have experience?

I don't remember anymore, sold mine a while ago.. Just wanted to tell you the CSL's are the best choice! If you want to see how they look on a white M3 E46 check the banner on our homepage!
Looks much like Pendulums Alpinweiss M3!

The banner image was a little small Looks good though. I have a TiAG.

I would recommend that you check out the Sportline CS.16 CSL Style Wheels if you're looking for something that is light weight and strong. The Sportline CS16 wheels are rotary forged (aka flow form) and do utilize the same manufacturing process of other light weight wheels such as the BBS CH/CH-R and ADVAN RS. Sportline CS16 wheels are also powder coated as a standard as well for a more durable finish!

They're available in the following setups:
18x8.5 ET35 - 19.8 lbs
18x9.5 ET43 - 19.6 lbs
18x9.5 ET22 - 21.0 lbs

19x8.5 ET35 - 20.80 lbs
19x9.5 ET45 - 22.40 lbs
19x9.5 ET22 - 23.40 lbs

Here are a couple installed pictures on our customers E46 M3 Vert for you guys to check out as well!

This is probably a dumb question, but is there any problem with putting OEM CSL wheels on a non-CSL e46 M3? There is no need for spacers, is there?

Originally Posted by lucasd2002

This is probably a dumb question, but is there any problem with putting OEM CSL wheels on a non-CSL e46 M3? There is no need for spacers, is there?

You wont need spacers and they should fit just fine.

These wheels don't look like they have any certifications....also is the finish looks a little different than the ZCP/CSL wheels. Price is right and the weight is nice...I just worry about non-certified wheels on a daily driver I put 1000 miles a week on at times (average about 2000/month).

Anyway, my tire sizes were determined for me when I suffered a blow out shortly after making this post. They couldn't get a Conti overnight, ended up with 225/40R19 and 255/35R19 Michelin Super Sports. They had 235/35R19s, but no 265/30's. They had 275/30's as well. I had to make up my mind in 10 mins to get the order in so my tires were there in the morning.

I really like the tires. I just worry if the 225 will be a little off on a 8.5" front. In 6-12 months when I need new tires, I will upgrade the sizing if needed.

Originally Posted by alkemyst

I really like the tires. I just worry if the 225 will be a little off on a 8.5" front. In 6-12 months when I need new tires, I will upgrade the sizing if needed.

You should be fine with 225 on the 8.5" wheel. According to Tire Rack, these tires in that size can be used on wheels from 7.5-9". http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....ty=2&tab=Sizes
Click on the "Specs" tab and you should see "Rim Width Range" in the 7th column from the right.

Here is another link on the subject from over on M3f. http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showp...16&postcount=3

Originally Posted by alkemyst

These wheels don't look like they have any certifications....also is the finish looks a little different than the ZCP/CSL wheels. Price is right and the weight is nice...I just worry about non-certified wheels on a daily driver I put 1000 miles a week on at times (average about 2000/month).

Anyway, my tire sizes were determined for me when I suffered a blow out shortly after making this post. They couldn't get a Conti overnight, ended up with 225/40R19 and 255/35R19 Michelin Super Sports. They had 235/35R19s, but no 265/30's. They had 275/30's as well. I had to make up my mind in 10 mins to get the order in so my tires were there in the morning.

I really like the tires. I just worry if the 225 will be a little off on a 8.5" front. In 6-12 months when I need new tires, I will upgrade the sizing if needed.

Sportline is the only company (that I am aware of) who makes a CSL style wheel that is actually certified by JWL/VIA with certification numbers. The Sportline CS16 wheels are rotary forged and are definitely light weight and strong (more than good enough for everyday street driving). The Sportline wheels are powder coated silver which is more durable than most other wheels which are painted.