MikeW said:Now that I've seen the 18" wheels that are coming on the 330Ci, I'm kind of liking the idea, but not necessarily the OEM wheels. They're not the best looking 18" wheel I've seen, and must me an incredible PIA to clean.
Would I be better off just getting the stock 18"ers, or getting the SP 17"ers, selling them off, and buying my own 18" wheels and tires. This way I do get to pick both the wheels and tires (thinking SSR GT1s and S03s).
An important question is whether there are any changes to the car, outside of the actual wheels and tires, that BMW makes when you order the 18" wheels (ie suspension tuning, speedometer issues, etc)? If I did get my own wheels, should I get the same size wheels and tires BMW specs? They not quite +1 sized from the 17"ers.
Does anyone know?
Thanks,
Mike
CD-55 said:I see you are from NYC, if you really drive around there, you may want to think about 17inchers. 18s are more eaisly damaged in potholes.
MikeW said:I'm pretty sure you have to order the SP in order to order the 18"ers (ie, they're an add on to the SP). So I'd get the SP in either case. The question is do I order the 18s with the car, or buy them separately.
MikeW said:I also admit that my attraction to the 18" wheels is basically cosmetic.
[email protected] said:
I admire your honesty :thumbup:
MikeW said:Guys,
Your comments about 18" wheels in Manhattan are well taken. However, the pavement here isn't quite as bad as legend has it. The city has done a lot of paving in the past couple of years, and the streets don't bear much of a resemblence to their bomb-cratered past (which I do remember). Then again, in over 100 years of trying, the city DOT an/or Con-Ed have not figured out how to plant a level manhole cover. They tend to sit an average of 3" below grade.
I also admit that my attraction to the 18" wheels is basically cosmetic. I've seen a couple of 330Cis lately. (I just missed driving one at the Koman Drive @ BMW of Manhattan). Even with a style of wheel I don't like, the proportion of the 18" wheel is just so good with the car. But, yes, the 17"s make much more sense. Then again, a BMW in Manhattan doen't make too much sense either, does it?
Alan F said:
Isn't that one of the main reasons why we pick one thing over another anyway.
If I thought the 18" wheels were hotter, I'd justify getting them also . . .
One thing that I like better about the 18's are that they are very uncommon :thumbup:
Alan F said:
One thing that I like better about the 18's are that they are very uncommon :thumbup:
ObD said:
I was considering these too, just to be different. When I went to the dealer they had a Black Sapphire 330 on the lot with them. The rims at off angles I didn't like, but I did like tires and the thickness of the rubber at the rear. However they stuck out beyond the fenders a tad, and IMO looked like one of those low rider Japanese imports. They didn't seem to fit the image of the car. The only other SP equiped car on the lot was TiAg. In the end, I liked the M68's better after comparing the two. That TiAg I now own.![]()
Alan F said:
You were able to get a manual transmission E46 off the lot ?
ObD said:
Nah, mine has the 3rd pedal missing. :dunno: :lmao: I was all set to order a manual, wanted a manual, but I got a decent deal so the rest is history. Yes, with some $$$ I can be influenced.
The Sapphire with 18's was a manual. My previous car was black and the Sapphire had a black PP interior. I thought too much black, the black interior with the wood on black just seemed too dark IMHO, didn't like the 18's, and I wanted a different color.
There were several manuals on the lot, it's the Sport Package that was and still is the tough option to find in my neck of the woods. The SP was a MUST HAVE for me. These were the only two SP equiped on the lot. My salesman said most people think it's too harsh, don't want to have a seperate set of wheels for the winter, and would rather have the Premium Package ... go figure.
ObD said:The SP was a MUST HAVE for me.
FlyingToaster said:I
Any ways, the 18"ers come with 18x8" front and 18x8.5" rears, and are very common sizes. You can certainly buy similar sizes aftermarket; however, probably going with 265x35s on the rears might be a better choice as well as 235x40 in the fronts.
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