What wheels to get?

[yura]

Cracked my 18" OZ Ultraleggeras for the second time now:

http://i.imgur.com/EJsp5.jpg

Not going to bother spending ~$300 to get this repaired; time for a new set of wheels.

Now the big questions:
- stick with 18" or go down to 17"?
- which wheels?

I live in an area with really crappy road conditions, so the ride is quite stiff. I'm thinking that going down to 17" wheels might help to soften things up a bit. The only downside is that my rubber is (obviously) for 18" wheels, and is still in good condition. I guess I could sell it after getting a new set in 17"... ??

I don't like any blinged out / chrome wheels, and budget is a factor: don't want to spend more than $600 on the wheels.

Thoughts?

[Hermes]

style 68's - 17s, easy to find under $600, and most importantly the lightest OE E46 wheel

[Avetiso]

I'd go with something else, in my opinion. Installing a sports package wheel when you have a ZHP is just not an appealing idea to me. It's like a downgrade, almost. My .02

[Hermes]

yeah, but he lives in Canada... so winter wheels. Also, the 135s are heavy and prone to cracking so as little use on them possible is always a good thing

[Avetiso]

Sounds like a great time for a Peterbilt 10-lug conversion.

[BCAN]

Apex ARC-8s are nice, had a set on my last ZHP in hyper black (not really black) and they were fantastic. Lightweight, durable and a good ride.

[danewilson77]

Apex ARC-8s are nice, had a set on my last ZHP in hyper black (not really black) and they were fantastic. Lightweight, durable and a good ride.

$600 budget.

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA

[nike001]

$600 budget.

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA

Used?

[danewilson77]

Used?

Perhaps.

[Hornung418]

On a budget just get some new wheels to tide you over till you have saved enough for the desired set of wheels. Look out for group buys from Apex and other vendors.

Scan the classifieds for a good set of OEM wheels. People are always trying to unload them when they "upgrade." usually $500 or less for OEMs.

From a GS3, this was sent.

[BCAN]

Ah..yeah, it was really late and I didn't notice that part :facepalm
sorry

[yura]

style 68's - 17s, easy to find under $600, and most importantly the lightest OE E46 wheel

I've never been a big fan of 68's, but did some googling now and they actually look quite good. Don't know why I didn't like them before.


I'd go with something else, in my opinion. Installing a sports package wheel when you have a ZHP is just not an appealing idea to me. It's like a downgrade, almost. My .02

I understand and mostly agree with that point of view, but truth be told, I want a comfier, plushier, more practical ride. If someone were to offer me a trade for a four door e46 that's in good condition, well equipped and auto transmission, I'd swap in a heartbeat. I got a German Shepherd puppy a few months ago, and in a year's time it'll be a tight fit for her in the coupe...

Anyways, I'm pretty much settled on 17's at this point. I want wide rims and thick tires.


Apex ARC-8s are nice, had a set on my last ZHP in hyper black (not really black) and they were fantastic. Lightweight, durable and a good ride.

Those do look great. I'm a bit weary of aftermarket wheels at this point, though. Hmm...

[yura]

Just picked these up for $400 shipped!

OEM - E46 Style 32 8J x 17 H2 (SET of 4) (http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Wheels-OEM-E46-Style-32-8J-x-17-H2-SET-of-4-/150964089869?item=150964089869&viewitem=&sspagename=ADME:L:OC:CA:3160&vxp=mtr&nma=true&si=q6Uf0DDYoSBwVFsKZs7poveaDSo%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557)

[yura]

Now I need to order a set of tires for the new 17" size. I'm currently running Continental EXTREME CONTACT DWS in 225/40/18 up front, and 255/35/18 in the rear. I'm thinking of getting the same tires, but need to figure out the sizing for an 8" rim, 17" diameter. I'd like to keep the staggered setup, and get some more thickness for a plushier ride. What sizes would you guys run?

[Hermes]

nice pickup! I would probably run a 225/40/17 but if those are too hard a ride for winter go with the 45 profile instead. Are the wheels staggered or do you just want to run fat tires on the back?

[Avetiso]

Just picked these up for $400 shipped!

OEM - E46 Style 32 8J x 17 H2 (SET of 4) (http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Wheels-OEM-E46-Style-32-8J-x-17-H2-SET-of-4-/150964089869?item=150964089869&viewitem=&sspagename=ADME:L:OC:CA:3160&vxp=mtr&nma=true&si=q6Uf0DDYoSBwVFsKZs7poveaDSo%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557)
Can't wait to see them on an M-Tech. My cousin has these on his E39.

[Hornung418]

Now I need to order a set of tires for the new 17" size. I'm currently running Continental EXTREME CONTACT DWS in 225/40/18 up front, and 255/35/18 in the rear. I'm thinking of getting the same tires, but need to figure out the sizing for an 8" rim, 17" diameter. I'd like to keep the staggered setup, and get some more thickness for a plushier ride. What sizes would you guys run?

225/45/17 front is what I run on my 44s. Stock sizing.

From a GS3, this was sent.

[yura]

nice pickup! I would probably run a 225/40/17 but if those are too hard a ride for winter go with the 45 profile instead. Are the wheels staggered or do you just want to run fat tires on the back?

All four wheels are 8" wide - just confirmed w/ seller. I do like fatties on the back :).

225/40/17 will be too thin - that's what I have now and I want something thicker. 45 is an option...

I'm sitting here crunching numbers...

a 18" wheel is 457mm

225/40 is 90mm
255/35 is 89.25mm

so with my current setup, wheel + tire = 547mm

a 17" wheel is 432mm, so to achieve the same wheel + tire size, I need about 115mm of sidewall.

225/55 is 123mm, which is a bit larger than what I need, but not too bad. Less than 1cm of difference, I don't expect any fender-rubbing issues.
255/45 is 114mm, which is pretty much ideal, though a bit awkward with the taller fronts. The tires I'm looking at aren't available in 255/50 (which would have been a better match for the fronts)...

[yura]

Can't wait to see them on an M-Tech. My cousin has these on his E39.

I think they'll look nice. Very similar style to the 18" OZ Ultraleggeras (Ultracracking is more like it!) I have now. I'll probably get the new style 32's refurbished to clean up the minimal curb rash, too.

[Avetiso]

I think they'll look nice. Very similar style to the 18" OZ Ultraleggeras (Ultracracking is more like it!) I have now. I'll probably get the new style 32's refurbished to clean up the minimal curb rash, too.
My cousin painted his spare gunmetal gray. It looks very nice. :drool

[yura]

My cousin painted his spare gunmetal gray. It looks very nice. :drool

I've actually thought of exactly the same thing. I don't think paint will hold up very long, though. And powdercoat will be somewhat pricy... we'll see.

[Washburn]

Style 264:

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?3420-Style-264-on-a-ZHP-should-look-good...

[Hornung418]

I'm confused...you can't run a taller sidewall. All of your readings will be false.

17x8 wheels accept a 225/45/17 or a 205/50/17 tire. What's the offset on these? They were also found on the e39 with offset +20.

From a GS3, this was sent.

[yura]

I'm confused...you can't run a taller sidewall. All of your readings will be false.

17x8 wheels accept a 225/45/17 or a 205/50/17 tire. What's the offset on these? They were also found on the e39 with offset +20.

From a GS3, this was sent.

Hmm, I don't know much about tire/wheel setups, so maybe I'm misunderstanding how things work. I figured that if the overall dimension (diameter) of the wheel + tire is the same as (or very close to) what I have now (stock ZHP sizes), everything should be fine. Is this incorrect?

The wheels I bought are 17" dimeter, 8" wide, ET 47.

By readings you're talking about speedo, odo, etc.?

Can I not run 225/50/17 up front and 255/45/17 in the rear ?

[Torxuvin]

Apex ARC-8s are nice, had a set on my last ZHP in hyper black (not really black) and they were fantastic. Lightweight, durable and a good ride.

If I ever buy anything to replace my OZs, it will be these. Great price, light weight, and look good

[Hornung418]

No. It will be too tall in the front and you can't fit a 255 tire on an 8" wheel. The sidewall difference between the 18s and the 17s will be more than noticed. I would run the 225/45/17s and get through the winter before even thinking about messing with sidewall dynamics.

From a GS3, this was sent.

[yura]

No. It will be too tall in the front and you can't fit a 255 tire on an 8" wheel. The sidewall difference between the 18s and the 17s will be more than noticed. I would run the 225/45/17s and get through the winter before even thinking about messing with sidewall dynamics.

From a GS3, this was sent.

Hmm... I Google'ed for a bit before asking here and came across lots (and I mean lots) of forum threads where people were running tires as wide as 315 on an 8" rim, so I figured a 255 should be okay. Looks like you're on mobile now, but when you're back in front of a computer and have some time, would you mind explaining why a 255 is a bad idea? I just want to be sure I understand everything and make an informed purchase. Thanks!

[yura]

It just occurred to me that the sidewall wraps the wheel on two sides, not just one, so my calculations above are all wrong. Doh!

[danewilson77]

Treadwell height = big number (say 255) X smaller number as a percent (say 0.35) = 89.25mm.

The above would be for a 255/35/18

Biggest tire one should put on an 8" rim is a 245.

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA

[yura]

Right, re-did the math, so I need a sidewall of 102.5mm on the 17" rim to match a sidewall of 90mm on an 18" rim; this is inline w/ the sizes Hornung posted above.

With this in mind, I'd like:

- front: 225/45/17
- rear: 255/40/17

... but it sounds like a 255 on an 8" rim isn't a good idea? Would still love to hear the logic behind it!

[danewilson77]

Right, re-did the math, so I need a sidewall of 102.5mm on the 17" rim to match a sidewall of 90mm on an 18" rim; this is inline w/ the sizes Hornung posted above.

With this in mind, I'd like:

- front: 225/45/17
- rear: 255/40/17

... but it sounds like a 255 on an 8" rim isn't a good idea? Would still love to hear the logic behind it!

It's unsafe. It's the opposite of stretching a tire (sort of) which I think makes the sidewall unstable.

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA

[yura]

Treadwell height = big number (say 255) X smaller number as a percent (say 0.35) = 89.25mm.

The above would be for a 255/35/18

Biggest tire one should put on an 8" rim is a 245.

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA

Right, that much I know. :)

Is the 245 being a max size for an 8" rim a general guideline/fact? Just curious how that's determined.

a 245/40 would give a sidewall of 98mm, which is damn close to the 102mm "ideal" given by 225/45.

Any objections to:
- front: 225/45/17, sidewall 101.25mm
- rear: 245/40/17, sidewall 98mm

?

[Hornung418]

The tire is too wide and the bead won't hold under cornering loads. If you want the staggered look go 245/40/17 in the rear.

From a GS3, this was sent.

[yura]

It's unsafe. It's the opposite of stretching a tire (sort of) which I think makes the sidewall unstable.

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA


The tire is too wide and the bead won't hold under cornering loads. If you want the staggered look go 245/40/17 in the rear.

From a GS3, this was sent.

Ah. I thought there'd be some math behind it :p. Well this does make sense...

[BRGcoopahS]

I'd go with something else, in my opinion. Installing a sports package wheel when you have a ZHP is just not an appealing idea to me. It's like a downgrade, almost. My .02

This. I feel that way with most oem wheels on a zhp. Style 135's are the icing on the cake to me. Either 135's or a real nice set of quality aftermarket rims. That's just my personal preference.

[danewilson77]

The tire is too wide and the bead won't hold under cornering loads. If you want the staggered look go 245/40/17 in the rear.

From a GS3, this was sent.

This. So much so in fact, that Tire Rack will not sell you a mounted 245 on an 8" rim.

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA