okay, I'm getting closer on my tire/wheel decision....

1532 Views 28 Replies 6 Participants Last post by 31st330i, Apr 5, 2002

31st330i

Discussion Starter · Apr 5, 2002

thanks to an unintended suggestion from Kaz, I've switched from the BBS CH to the RC. I do like the CH better asthetically but the same size RC is said to be not only stronger but 7 ponds lighter according to BBS (18x8.5 RC = 18lbs and 18x8.5 CH = 25lbs).

I'm still teetering between 17" and 18" wheels. for the mostly street driving that I do, I'm not sure how much of an advantage going to a 35 series 18" really is over a 40 series 17". and even if I start tracking the car, I doubt the difference would be that great (probably not enough for my own skill to take advantage of anyway). with the Dinan stage-II and the Koni shocks, the ride quality is already at my limit so going to an 18" wheel will only make it wors, pushing it beyond my threshold of desired ride comfort.

after having polled a number of people, the first advantage to come out of anyone's mouth regarding going to 18" rims is "...astethetics..."

I had originally planned on getting the S-03's bad have settled on the Pilot Sports because of ride comfort / road noise advantages over the S-03. tirerack aslo said that the michlin will last a tad longer which is contrary to what I remember reading on the boards. here in norcal, the wet traction advantage of the S-03 isn't really an advantage. I don't even worry about snow traction 'cause we have a 'lil subie for that.

by the way, in case you didn't catch the tidbid in my other thread, the CH is indeed going to be available in an 18" BMW fitment in early may.

so anyway, it's looking like I'll be going with 4 17" RCs fitted with 235-40/17 pilot sports all the way around. this will be a slightly shorter tire in the rear so there may be a slight gearing advantage by getting these (versus a slightly taller ratio from 18" 35 series). steering will be quicker because the tire is a lot shorter than the OEM 225/45-17.

interestingly, the total wheel and tire weight is exactly the same between 35 series 18" and the 40 series 17". both weigh in at a total of 40.5lbs per tire/wheel.

does anyone know what the stock wheels/tires weigh?

See less See more

1 - 20 of 29 Posts

Kaz

· #2 · Apr 5, 2002

My stock Contis on 44s were 47.5lbs
PZeros on Alpinas are 40.8lbs

Ben Chou

· #3 · Apr 5, 2002

With 18 you don't have to run 35 profiles unless you stagger. I run stagger with 18x8.5 rims with 225/40/18 in the front and 255/35/18 in the rear. Many people choose not to stagger and go 235/40/18 all around. All these sizes will keep you fairly close to stock with the stagger being almost an exact match.

31st330i

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 5, 2002

good thing I decided against the CHs then. the combo would weigh within one pound of stock (almost no advantage - kinda' like Dinan software on a 330

).

nate

· #5 · Apr 5, 2002

Why are you getting new wheels? Are the M68s badly damaged?

31st330i

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 5, 2002

the 68s can be repaired. I finally found a place that said they could match the paint (that's apparently a problem) but they want $180 per rim plus tire work (mounting ballancing etc). what a rip. pig fockers. besides, I've been looking for a reason to upgrade anyway.

31st330i

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 5, 2002

I also want to be able to keep the same size all the way around to maximize tread life. replacing rear tires every 18K miles is for the birds, especially at 500 bucks a shot.

nate

· #8 · Apr 5, 2002

THIS M68 was repaired perfectly for $100 :dunno:

Also, rotation is not advised

Alex Baumann

· #9 · Apr 5, 2002

BTW, from a test which is published here last week, the Bridgestone Potenza S-03 and Pirelli P Zero Rosso were the winners.

Test car : 330i

Front 225/40/18
Rear 255/35/18

31st330i

Discussion Starter · #10 · Apr 5, 2002

I have two rims that look exactly like the second pic. at leas they're on the right side of the car so I don't have to look at them every time I get into the car.

so where are the hi-rez "after" pics?

31st330i

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 5, 2002

Alex Baumann said:
BTW, from a test which is published here last week, the Bridgestone Potenza S-03 and Pirelli P Zero Rosso were the winners.

Test car : 330i

Front 225/40/18
Rear 255/35/18

winners in what way? and by how much? do you have a link to the test?

Alex Baumann

· #12 · Apr 5, 2002

31st330i said:
winners in what way? and by how much? do you have a link to the test?

The test was made by Auto,Motor & Sport, the best-selling automobile magazine here in Germany.

They did get the best results in three categories ; Dry Handling/Braking, Wet Handling/Braking and Aquaplaning.

Kaz

· #13 · Apr 5, 2002

Most of the reputable wheel repair places in LA seem to charge a flat $100 for most repairs.

As for the PZero Rossos, that's what I have and I really don't like em very much.

nate

· #14 · Apr 5, 2002

31st330i said:
I have two rims that look exactly like the second pic. at leas they're on the right side of the car so I don't have to look at them every time I get into the car.

so where are the hi-rez "after" pics?

Alright, here

http://www.e46fanatics.com/members/nate328Ci/DSCN1272.JPG

BUT, the dealership mounted the tires backwards, they were re-mounted after I noticed months later

The skuffs are new, it was PERFECT before she curbed it again :tsk: Look where there is no rash, then you can tell the quality.

31st330i

Discussion Starter · #15 · Apr 5, 2002

wow, thanks nate. that looks pretty good.

31st330i

Discussion Starter · #16 · Apr 5, 2002

Alex Baumann said:
The test was made by Auto,Motor & Sport, the best-selling automobile magazine here in Germany.

They did get the best results in three categories ; Dry Handling/Braking, Wet Handling/Braking and Aquaplaning.

thanks. but how much better were the briedgestones? and what about road noise or ride quality tests. not that I want to turn my car into a cadillac but I don't want to give up ride qulity or increase road noise. it's already at my upper limits.

31st330i

Discussion Starter · #17 · Apr 5, 2002

nate328Ci said:
THIS M68 was repaired perfectly for $100 :dunno:

Also, rotation is not advised

rotation of staggered sizes is not advised but that doesn't apply to same size tires/wheels. furthermore, I'd be doing it myself at my oil change intervals so there would be no extra cash outlay.

nate

· #18 · Apr 5, 2002

31st330i said:
rotation of staggered sizes is not advised but that doesn't apply to same size tires/wheels. furthermore, I'd be doing it myself at my oil change intervals so there would be no extra cash outlay.

The service manual does not recommend it for any size tire. The camber settings of the E46 wear each tire in different places. Supposedly if you switch them around, you will sacrefice hanleing.

Alex Baumann

· #19 · Apr 5, 2002

31st330i said:
thanks. but how much better were the briedgestones? and what about road noise or ride quality tests. not that I want to turn my car into a cadillac but I don't want to give up ride qulity or increase road noise. it's already at my upper limits.

Unfortunately they didn't test the road noise and ride quality, since the test took place in Vallelunga race track, near Rome. It was a pure handling test.

31st330i

Discussion Starter · #20 · Apr 5, 2002

Alex Baumann said:
Unfortunately they didn't test the road noise and ride quality, since the test took place in Vallelunga race track, near Rome. It was a pure handling test.

was there any reasoning quoted in teh article regarding their tire/wheel size choices?

1 - 20 of 29 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.