Smallest wheel size on an e46 M3?

[NickXX]

Hi all,

I'm about to get my 19s refurbed at Lepsons, and need 4 wheels to sit the car on while they're getting done (will be driving another car for the week). Will any 'normal' e46 wheels fit on the car?

I don't need the car to move, just sit on the drive. Will 16s fit?

Many thanks,

Nick

[shim]

first of all they have to be 5 hole with 120mm spacing rims (5 x 120)

second thing is the wheels have to fit over the front callipers which rules out alot of 17 and 18 inch rims

thirdly the offset must at least let the wheel make it to the hub. as offset on M3 front is large 9mine is 45mm) then you shoudl be ok with this as if you are not driving it a lesser offset should not hit the arches

best bet is a cheap set of 18 inch m3 rims or replicas or a pile of bricks

[E30M3SE]

4 axle stands.

[NickXX]

Ah damn, cheers guys. Looks like I will have to stick it on Axle stands.

I've got a pair of 15s off an e36 at home - reckon they'll fit over the rear brakes?

[shim]

these 'll do it

[E30M3SE]

NickXX said:

Ah damn, cheers guys. Looks like I will have to stick it on Axle stands.

I've got a pair of 15s off an e36 at home - reckon they'll fit over the rear brakes?

Rear disks are 328mm, does not take into account of the caliper, according to EPC, be carefull of the offset rears on your M3 is ET26, the E36 15's you have are probably ET47.

Edited by E30M3SE on Thursday 21st January 16:17

[paoloh]

Please remember that the M3 has different rear wheels to other E46's

[kds keltec]

as we speak have an E46 M3 in for work with me and the wheels are next door with lepsons .

I keep a selection of donor wheels at the work shop for all types of makes and models , this keeps the cars mobile with me , while lepsons are refurbing the wheels .

The E46 M3 you can put 17's on the rear and 18's on the front this is the smallest diameter possible to clear brakes . tried all combos , the 17's on the rear are from 5 series so correct offset to clear face of calipers .


Lespons do have a new hire car(i think £20 per day) and facilities to keep your car with them too if that helps.

Kelly

[mmm-five]

kds keltec said:

Lespons do have a new hire car(i think £20 per day) and facilities to keep your car with them too if that helps.

That sounds very useful - thanks!

[sjj84]

I'd just stick it up on axle stands for the week. Cheap enough for a set if you don't already have them, and always useful to have knocking about in the garage.

[NickXX]

Oh cool, thanks guys. I decided not to leave the car there/use the hire car as it's about £100 cheaper to take the wheels there in my 318. I'd have to do two trips regardless.

I've got 4 axle stands, so will plonk it on them.

Washed the wheels tonight and big chunks of lacquer are flaking off! Will be getting them sorted in the last week of Feb.

[elliottc]

kds keltec said:

as we speak have an E46 M3 in for work with me and the wheels are next door with lepsons .

That sounds like it could be mine

[mat205125]

It's not a big job to remove the front calipers to cable tie around the springs if all else fails. You'd probably get a set if 16" wheels over the discs then.

Four axle stands will be fine, but be very careful. Four stands can be very dangerous!

[SJobson]

The OEM winter wheels for the M3 were 17" style 68s, though not the same offset as the ones which fit normal E46s.

[SoliD]

Can't you just go and steel some e39 M5 or 530i wheels from the down the road if you're that desperate nick?

[rassi]

SoliD said:

Can't you just go and steel some e39 M5 or 530i wheels from the down the road if you're that desperate nick?

Different hub-bore (74.1 mm on the E39 versus 72.5 mm on all other BMWs) I am afraid...

[paoloh]

rassi said:

SoliD said:

Can't you just go and steel some e39 M5 or 530i wheels from the down the road if you're that desperate nick?

Different hub-bore (74.1 mm on the E39 versus 72.5 mm on all other BMWs) I am afraid...

I thought the rear on M3s and the E39 was the same??

[mat205125]

Bore diameter isn't the end of the world if the car is just going to sit on the drive. At least it's the right way around so that they could fit on rather than being smaller on the 5

[kds keltec]

elliottc said:

kds keltec said:

as we speak have an E46 M3 in for work with me and the wheels are next door with lepsons .

That sounds like it could be mine

It sure is tracy should of left you a message that we are aiming for saturday afternoon onwards collection .


Kelly

[AndrewO]

Getting a car up and stable on 4 stands is a bit tricky. If you jack the whole car up in one go this is best otherwise it tends to move about. Stick a couple of railway sleepers under just in case.