328 sport bbs split rim tyre sizes

[IN_2_THE_RED]

Just a quick question here, if anyone can help?

Because my car has been owned by a complete tosser in the past, fitting wrong bushes e.t.c (i wont go into detail) i am due for some new front tyres and want to make sure he hasn't fitted the wrong ones.

What i am worried about is that a past mot advisory note stated that a wrong size tyre was fitted to one of the front wheels.

I just want to know what size tyres i have should have on the front because i have read some posts and every one has mentioned 225's where as i have 235/40/17's on the front....which is correct?

Thanks in advance.

[Pat H]

My E36 runs 235/40/17s on all four corners and always has done.

Tends to wear the inner edges on the front tyres.

[M5Dave]

I think the correct tyre size is 225/45 ZR17s on the front and 245/40 ZR17s on the back.

[Methane Bloke]

It all depends on the age of the car. Our 328 sport was on an N plate and had 7.5" rims and 235 tyres all round. The later facelifted model had wider rear wheels and the 225 / 245 combination.

Regards

Chris

[Pat H]

Methane Bloke said:

It all depends on the age of the car. Our 328 sport was on an N plate and had 7.5" rims and 235 tyres all round. The later facelifted model had wider rear wheels and the 225 / 245 combination.

Sounds right.

My car is 1995/N.

[neil_bolton]

Mines and R Plate, and has always run 225/45/17 up front and 245/40/17 at the rear.

Same as the M3 sizing. I understand this to be the correct sizing for mine, and as annoying that the rears are a little pricey, and overtyred for the power, I've stuck with it.

[Methane Bloke]

We looked at a face lifted model on a P plate and that had the larger rears. We put a deposit on it, but the dealer (non BMW) said his driver rolled it on the way to get a new screen fitted. Another independent dealer told me he had been offered it and it was a dodgy car, having suffered quite bad body damage. In the end glad we went for the N plate model as it was an AUC and was no trouble at all.

Regards

Chris

[Squidward]

M5Dave said:

I think the correct tyre size is 225/45 ZR17s on the front and 245/40 ZR17s on the back.

1999/T, running the above.

[Gad-Westy]

M5Dave said:

I think the correct tyre size is 225/45 ZR17s on the front and 245/40 ZR17s on the back.

Correct for cars with wider rear rims, otherwise 225/45 17's all round. The wheel widths are stamped underneath the centre caps BTW.

[Gad-Westy]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I think, by "correct", people were referring to factory sizes, which are 225 or 245's.

[Gad-Westy]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

No, not 100% sure but as I understand it, it went something like this. Early cars (pre '97 sometime) had 17"x7.5" BBS split rims all round with 225/45 tyres all round. Wider 8.5" rear wheels with 245 tyres were an option which many took. After this, the optional spec was standard. i.e. Same as M3. I must admit I've never heard 235's mentioned as an E36 size anywhere but there is no fundamental reason why they shouldn't be uses. Sounds excessive on the front though but so do 225's in all honesty.

[Methane Bloke]

Ours was definitely on 235s all round. It was an Approved Used Car from a main dealer and supplied with new tyres when we picked it up. I'd be very surprised if they had fitted the wrong size?

Regards

Chris

[rossi-328i-sport]

The correct tyre size on the 328i "sport" with the larger reas is 245/40/17 on rear and 225/45/17 on the fronts,that what they rolled out the factory with althought 235s all round looks great !

[Pat H]

Off topic for a moment.

I ran my 328 on a set of piddly steel wheels with 185mm tyres whilst I was renovating my 17" rims.

The ride quality was transformed and the steering was a delight because of the complete absence of tramlining. The car really was much more pleasant to drive at ordinary speeds.

Of course there was bugger all grip, the handling wasn't as sharp and the car looked crap...

Bigger isn't always better.

[John Laverick]

Squidward said:

M5Dave said:

I think the correct tyre size is 225/45 ZR17s on the front and 245/40 ZR17s on the back.

1999/T, running the above.

1997/P, same as above

7.5j on the front 8j on the rear

Edited by John Laverick on Friday 26th October 13:03

[IN_2_THE_RED]

Thanks you lot, i have just noticed i have got 7.5j all round.

So for a final decision. do i go for the 225's or 235's again up front.

The car does get driven hard and never really had too much understeer on it with the current 235's, but it might be nice to try the 225's?


Thanks

[Pat H]

I prefer the same size wheels and tyres all the way round.

Gives more scope for rotating the tyres, especially as they have a tendency to wear unevenly on the front.

[John Laverick]

IN_2_THE_RED said:

Thanks you lot, i have just noticed i have got 7.5j all round.

So for a final decision. do i go for the 225's or 235's again up front.

The car does get driven hard and never really had too much understeer on it with the current 235's, but it might be nice to try the 225's?


Thanks

I'd go for which ever is the cheapest mate ... you're unlikely to notice any difference on the road.