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[Jammer005]

Hi,
I'm wanting to know if there is an easy way (without physically installing them) to find out if this winter wheel/tyre combo will fit my non-sport 128 vert.
I've gotten 3 different responses from 3 differerent BMW dealerships. It seems the only way to be sure is to have it installed.
A relative of mine is trading in his older 3 series for a 330ci and has offered these to me for ~$400-$500 (20K km on them). They look like a real hassle to clean but may be worth the money for an alloy wheel.
Thanks!
Kevin

[Feyd]

I'm guessing the tire might be a bit wide?

Any idea what the tire size might be?

[Feyd]

Well they are 17x7 and BMW recommends a 205/50 tire for them (e46 fitment), but you are going to want a tire that has a 45 series sidewall otherwise it'll be too tall for the car

Weird thing is that there isn't any offset listed for them. My gut tells me that the wheels will work because the e46 had decently high offsets, but the tire that they are going to put on them will most likely not work.

[Jammer005]

They come off a 2004 330Ci.
The snows are Perilli SnowSport, 205/50/R17 93V.

(oops you beat me to it!)

[Dackelone]

You/WE need to know the offset of the wheel. offset = ET markings on the alloy wheel.

Its safe to say those wheels will "bolt up", but wether they fit on the car is a whole otehr matter. You need to know the ET specs.

[Jammer005]

So do all wheels have an ET marking on them?

[Dackelone]

yes, alll wheels wil have an ET stamp, followed by a number. Like, ET45.

I don't think those wheels have the correct offset. But I could be wrong.

[Feyd]

Should be... look around the hub area.

[Dackelone]

Well... looks like I was wrong. I think they WOULD fit a 1-er!

http://felgenkatalog.auto-treff.com/

Baureihe Modell Ausnahme Größe Einsatz Bereifung ET kg

3er E46
außer M3 7x17 205/50R17 weight 9,36 Kg 205/50R17 ET 47

[Feyd]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

yes, alll wheels wil have an ET stamp, followed by a number. Like, ET45.

I don't think those wheels have the correct offset. But I could be wrong.

I think the offset will be alright, but the tire is too tall.

My winters are 225/45/17s on a 17x8 et40 wheel and I have no rub

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Feyd

I think the offset will be alright, but the tire is too tall.

My winters are 225/45/17s on a 17x8 et40 wheel and I have no rub

For a winter tire you want the tallest and skinniest wheel/tire combo. the reason Feyd has 225's is bc of the 8" wide wheels. This is not ideal for a winter setup. 205's would not work/fit on a 8" wide wheel.

I have the factory winter wheels on my car. V-Speiche 141 alufelgen, 7jx17
205/50R17H GoodYear RSC (run flats). This is the ideal size for winter setup. So to the OP the wheel/tire package you found WOULD work just fine.

PS: Don't forget the TPMS!

[Erik219]

225/45/17 has equal height as a 205/50/17 .... (1.25 mm diff)

the height indication is in % of the tire width! so to calculate the heights:
**225x45/100 = 101.25 mm height
**205x50/100 = 102.50 mm height

I don't think this 1.25mm will make the difference...

[Jammer005]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

PS: Don't forget the TPMS!

Thanks Dackelone,
Wow, now I know why I couldn't get a straight answer from BMW!
Since I'm based in Canada and the wheels are from BMW Canada too, I don't believe I need to worry about TPMS.
Kevin

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Erik219

225/45/17 has equal height as a 205/50/17 .... (1.25 mm diff)

the height indication is in % of the tire width! so to calculate the heights:
**225x45/100 = 101.25 mm height
**205x50/100 = 102.50 mm height

I don't think this 1.25mm will make the difference...

No NO! I am not saying the size will make any difference in speedo readings. The 225's are just fine for a overall tire size to the 205's or OE summer tires. But what I was trying to say was....

For a winter tire you WANT skinny and tall sidewall tires. The reason is you want the MOST PSI/Bar pressing down on that small contact patch - in order to get the most traction in snow and ice.

When you go with wider tires and shorter side walls - you are spreading out the pressure more and that is bad for low traction conditions. The short sidewall is bad bc it will not flex as much and the tire will break traction when corning hard. So the best tire will always be the tallest and narrow tires you can mount. That is why I went with BMW suggestion of 7jx17's with 205/50HR17s.

Also... you don't want a really high speed rating either. No ZRs or even WRs... bc an HR tires will suffice in winter months. The higher speed rattings will come will stiffer sidewalls... also bad for snow tire performance.

hope this helps explian things better.

bye,
David