E46 M3 - fitting CSL wheels to standard 2005 M3

[Gus265]

I would like to fit CSL wheels to my M3. I am sure this thread done to death so apologies in advance. I can get hold off what appear to be genuine CSL wheels which have the following measurements:

Front: 8J ET47
Rear: 9,5J ET27

4 questions please:

1. are these correct
2. how easy to fit;
3 what tyres do I need; and
4. anyone know a south london specialist?

Thanks!

[Leins]

They're not CSL front wheels if 8J (should be 8.5), although they might be genuine "Competition Pack" wheels

SuperSports are the best I've found in terms of tyres


Slightly OT, but is there going to be an M3 left running either double spoke wheel soon?

[Gus265]

Thanks Leins - that makes sense and he does refer to them being competition package. Does that mean they are E92 ones? And presumably its an easy fit to the E46?

[Leins]

No, they're probably the same as those fitted to the E46 M3CS, just worth checking they're genuine BBS though, not reps

[Craigwww]

Check that 'BMW' is emobossed above the ///M badge on the wheel centre and look for the BBS stamp onto the rear of one of the spokes, if either of those is missing, they are fake CSLs. Post pics if you want me to check them for you.

M3 CS wheels are identical to standard CSL wheels except the fronts are 8J not 8.5J

CSL wheels are different from the E90 series competition wheels.

[jon-]

I actually prefer the Bridgestone S001s to the Pilot Super Sports on my CSL wheels. Here's why:

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/Bridgestone-P...

[JsyM3]

Gus265 said:

Front: 8J ET47
Rear: 9,5J ET27

4 questions please:

1. are these correct
2. how easy to fit;
3 what tyres do I need; and
4. anyone know a south london specialist?

For CSL's,

Front should be: 8.5J ET44
Rear should be: 9.5J ET27

So it looks like you're looking at E46 M3CS alloys or the competition pack ones off the E9x - The latter look similar to CSL's but I personally don't think they look so good on an E46.

There shouldn't be any fitting issues with CSL's or CS's but some PH'ers will no doubt use spacers to fill the arches and "improve" the look/stance.

Tyres (brand/model) is completely your choice depending on your budget, performance needs and personal preferences but size wise you can go 225/40/19 or 235/35/19 on the front and 255/30/19 or 265/30/19 on the rear. Some people run slightly different widths/profiles depending on what "look" you're after and marginal handling/grip differences but a quick google should sort you out on this. You'll also notice that, for example, a 265/30/19 is a fair bit more expensive than a 255/30/19