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[techietaichi]

Now I know this subject has been asked about a million times, well, this is gonna be one million+1. I'll blurt out some info then give me your best answer and thanks in advance.

I own a 2006 325i. So far as I know, it has a sports package, but I'm working on confirming it, because it came with 16" wheels. Didn't '06 w/sport package 3 series bimmers come with 17" stock wheels? Anyways, here's what I'd like to do wheelwise:

a) I want black wheels, either all black or mostly black.
b) 18 or 19"; haven't really decided yet and co$t will determine which way I go. I'm rolling 18's right now that are chrome and non staggered, but they still look kind of small.
c) wheels must be staggered
d) what should the offsets be for the front and rear tires? the goal is to have the wheel even with or as close to even as possible to the fender. No wheels beyond the fender! I think that looks silly.
e) How can I minimize the well gap without lowering the car?(though I have kicked around getting some H&R coilovers)

I look forward to your responses.

[bmw325i]

If you want to roll your rear fenders you can do 9.5et30-33 up front with 235/35/19 and 11et30-33 in the rear with 265/30/19.

[PSUSMU]

Originally Posted by techietaichi

d) what should the offsets be for the front and rear tires? the goal is to have the wheel even with or as close to even as possible to the fender. No wheels beyond the fender! I think that looks silly.

First establish what widths you want.

Originally Posted by techietaichi

e) How can I minimize the well gap without lowering the car?(though I have kicked around getting some H&R coilovers)

Adobe Photoshop.

[mrbillytalent]

I bet if you took the time to dig through the wheel and tire section as well as run a few searched you'd be rather pleased. There is also a for sale section where you can buy a multitude of rims/tires and even see them on someones car before you take the dive

[VMRWheels]

Here is the sizing I'd recommend for a set of VMR wheels. Our wheels are a bolt-on fitment and won't require you to run any spacers, adapters or do any modifications to your fenders or suspension. E90/E92 pre-LCI:

18x8.5 +35, 18x9.5 +33
19x8.5 +35, 19x9.5 +33

No rubbing issues if you're at factory height. If you plan on lowering, you may be in the clear but it really depends on the brand and size of your tire.

Example of 19's:

[Sean@PYSpeed.com]

We recommend VMR wheels as well.

[techietaichi]

Thanks for the info all. I poked around a bit and I'm really digging the 19" V705's. Simple, sporty, and easy to #@*% clean! Looks like I can score a nice set for less than I anticipated. Ballz!

[techietaichi]

Hey again. I came across a staggered set of 18's 8.5F & 9.5R, offsets of ET40F & ET33R respectively. What would the 40 offset look like in comparison to the 35 that was recommended by VMR Wheels. Does that push the wheel further out or in. I'm not too keen on the offset thing and am trying to grasp it so I don't feel like a goon. Thanks.

[remmib]

Originally Posted by techietaichi

Hey again. I came across a staggered set of 18's 8.5F & 9.5R, offsets of ET40F & ET33R respectively. What would the 40 offset look like in comparison to the 35 that was recommended by VMR Wheels. Does that push the wheel further out or in. I'm not too keen on the offset thing and am trying to grasp it so I don't feel like a goon. Thanks.

ET40 will sit 5mm further in compared to ET35.

[techietaichi]

So I got together with my mechanic for some work to be done and we spoke a bit about wheels. I've decided to stick with 18's, the logic being that the larger I go the more susceptible my wheels are to getting bent. It ain't no autobahn out here in New England. We also agreed that dropping the car maybe an inch to an inch and a half's good, but anything further might need a fender roll and more consideration in wheel/tire selection. Now I'm no track driver, but handling is always an issue for me. That said, I've been told that sticking with same size wheels and tires all the way around is a must. Is this true? Anyways I want to confirm if 18x8 35mm offsets all the way around is good. Again, my goal is to get the wheels even or as close to even with the fender as possible, not beyond. thanks again all.

[flip4335]

Originally Posted by techietaichi

Now I'm no track driver, but handling is always an issue for me. That said, I've been told that sticking with same size wheels and tires all the way around is a must. Is this true? Anyways I want to confirm if 18x8 35mm offsets all the way around is good. Again, my goal is to get the wheels even or as close to even with the fender as possible, not beyond. thanks again all.

Not true...If you have rear wheel drive, then wider tires in the back would be way better to get the power transferred to the ground. That being said, I have a staggered set of OEM M3 219M wheels that are gunmetal and they are 8.5x18et29 front and 9.5x18et23 rear with 235/40/18F, 265/35/18R tires. Normally, they would be 225/40F and 255/35R, but I wanted a little more sidewall so I went with a plus size.

See how close to the fender they are? Even with et29, the front wheels could go out just a tad more for those hella flush types. However, the downside is you will limit your turning radius when the wheel/tire starts rubbing against the liner.




This is on sport suspension, so it is not lowered very much.




If the 18's are good enough for an M3, they're good enough for me.



If having a square setup is what you want, I would go with at least 18x8.5 inch wheels all around with 245/40/18 tires and et30, if you could find them.

My wife has a Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport Sedan all-wheel drive E-Class similar in size to BMW 5-Series and she runs 245/40/18 all around.

You just need to make sure that your wheel setup/tire ratios are consistent front and back so as not to have any speedometer issues.

[techietaichi]

Well, just to dust up this thread, I went ahead and bought NIB Alpina B7 repros from some dude out in Nevada. They were crazy reasonable and fit my budget as I had more pressing matters with my Bimmer to attend to(happy to report that the engine is now 100% gtg). These wheels are 19" staggered 9.5 rear(with 3mm spacers), 8.5 front, ET35's. Got a great deal and dressed them up with Falken 452's and the ride's as smooth as butter and road noise seems pretty minimal to me, but of course they suck in the snow! Also got some special air valves from Bav Auto for the wheels that eliminates the typical stems you'd see on most wheels. It all worked out quite nicely and I ended up spending far less than I'd anticipated. Hooyah! 2 more days and I drop this sucker!

[mrbillytalent]

wow!
I never thought very highly of that style wheel but

those

look

good!

With a drop you'll be spot on, good taste.

[Route 16]

How much was the set up? That actually looks good.

[techietaichi]

Originally Posted by Route 16

How much was the set up? That actually looks good.

I paid $550 for the wheels, $40 for the special air valves, $800 for the Falken's, and install. I looked recently on eBay for the same wheels I have and they've gone up to $1100-1200. I caught a lucky break.

Here it is with the drop:

[Route 16]

It looks like it was supposed to be there, good job, which trunk spoiler is that? Looks like a cf performance spoiler but it's flat.

[techietaichi]

It's a knock off AC Schnitzer Trunk spoiler I got from Taiwan. Perfect fitment and not a piece of junk like some may elude to. $99 and painted to match right from the seller. Got a roof spoiler from the same folks too and both pieces took less than two weeks to reach me. The real deal AC's would have cost me 3-4 times as much, but that's nuts!