E46 M3 winters - MV1 & 235/40/18?

[Babu 01]

I'm moving up from my e36 328 to an e46 M3, looking to be in an M before Christmas, but before I do want to sort out a winter wheel/tyre setup. I've been running winters on both the 328 & Z4 for a couple of years and am now fully converted.

Thanks to a touch of luck I've landed a barely used set of winters in the BMW recommended 235/40/18 size so I'm looking at wheels to mount them on.

I'm not happy about mounting 235s on a 9J wheel so have been looking at MV1s, however it's just occurred to me that MV1s may not fit the M3.

Also a little bit wary of using the square setup if I'm honest.

So, the questions are will MV1s fit an e46 M3 and will the 235 square set up prove too loose on the back?

[E30M3SE]

MV1's will fit, but you will need a 25mm hubcentric spacer for the rear, BMW recommended winter wheel tyre package runs a 225/40 18 tyre.

[Babu 01]

Bugger, non OEM sizes and will need spacers to work on MV1s.

I think I may have dropped a bk with these, oh well at least they'll sell on quickly.

[NickXX]

4x235s should fit on the 225 front/255 rears of the MV1s.

[Babu 01]

NickXX said:

4x235s should fit on the 225 front/255 rears of the MV1s.

Yeah that was my thinking as the MV1s are 8.5 but, as above, MV1s need spacers to fit the M3. I'm not really keen on that as it's a bit more hassle and expense.

MV2s being 9J will mean a bit of a stretch if I do keep the 235 tyres I have, so now need to decide whether to flog them and start again with 225/40 and 255/40 on MV2s or just go for it as is.

This could end up being more complicated than finding the actual car

[MattOz]

The easiest way round it woulkd be to buy 4 M3 18" fronts. Both the mv1 and mv2 are the same sizes front and rear. 8j and 8.5j respectively.

You could mount your 235's on the 4 M3 fronts, but bear in mind that usually they're 225/45/18. 235/40/18's should still be ok mind you. The biggest issue in my opinion is the incorrect offset of 'normal' E46 alloys on the M3.

[E30M3SE]

A 235/40 if fine on a 8-9.5" rim, so buy yourself 2 front and 2 rear 18" M3 alloys and use your 235/40 on those rims, buying 4 front M3 18" rims will not work as the front offset is 41 or 47, cannot recall exactly which, and the rear is in the 25 area, so spacers will still be needed.

ETA, recall seeing a set of OK condition 18's in the PH classifieds,(parts&plates, Wheels 18) earliers in the week for £350 inc decent tyres that you could sell on.

Edited by E30M3SE on Sunday 4th December 13:26

[Babu 01]

E30M3SE said:

A 235/40 if fine on a 8-9.5" rim, so buy yourself 2 front and 2 rear 18" M3 alloys and use your 235/40 on those rims, buying 4 front M3 18" rims will not work as the front offset is 41 or 47, cannot recall exactly which, and the rear is in the 25 area, so spacers will still be needed.

ETA, recall seeing a set of OK condition 18's in the PH classifieds,(parts&plates, Wheels 18) earliers in the week for £350 inc decent tyres that you could sell on.

Edited by E30M3SE on Sunday 4th December 13:26

Cheers, will do.