[blackdawg]

just mounted the 16" BBS RKs with the kumho ecsta 712s.

the mushiness is gone. suffering for M+S traction, but it's amazing what stiffer sidewalled tires can do for turn in.

these tires are grippier, but that's what summer tires will do for you.

for anyone who is willing to have snow tires & summer tires, good lord, the difference a proper sports tire will give to the car is tremendous!

 

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

did you have the 16" or 17" tires in the first place?
Nick

 

[blackdawg]

hi nick.

had the 16"s in the first place.

from previous experience and since we're moving to boston shortly, i stuck with 16's again.

17inch rims and low profile tires make life expensive in boston. they do anyway in st.louis. i love the way 17's look on the E46s, but i cringe when i think about bent rims.

 

[geomax]

Re: hi nick.

had the 16"s in the first place.

from previous experience and since we're moving to boston shortly, i stuck with 16's again.

17inch rims and low profile tires make life expensive in boston. they do anyway in st.louis. i love the way 17's look on the E46s, but i cringe when i think about bent rims.

I hear that! The roads are terrible here, especially downtown. I live North of Boston, and with the 17" wheels and Z rated rubber, they really pick up the pitted washboard road surface.

My 325 came with the style 44 wheels, which weigh, I hear, a whopping 27lbs. So, not too worried about a bend.

It's too bad that when you get the SP, BMW doesn't give you the option of wheel size. I think 16's really are the best all around/all season size for New England roads.