E46 330i Sport and wheel size

[mekondelta]

I'm looking to buy an E46 330i, ideally an SE as I'm looking for a nicer ride rather than outright performance. However, there aren't many nice ones around and there seem to be some very nicely specified Sport models.

So, what options did the Sport come with for wheels/tyres. Were they all 18 inches? Were there no 16/17 inch options? Anyone know?

I'd like to buy a car with 18 inch wheels and swap with 16/17s if they're standard fit for that model so I comply with insurance requirements etc.

[mekondelta]

Looks like I'm answering my own question:-

Downsizing Tyres on an E46 330d Sport Touring?

From the thread it's not clear whether it makes much difference to the ride. Anyone here tried it?

[s m]

Don't think there's an OE BMW wheel in 16" that will fit over an E46 330i brakes.

It'll have to be 17" for an OE wheel or a set of the AT Italia Contour replicas in 16" and you'll need the wheel weights on the outside of rim rather than on the inside.
It will ride better on 17s than larger wheels ime but most people prefer the looks of the bigger wheels

[mekondelta]

s m said:

Don't think there's an OE BMW wheel in 16" that will fit over an E46 330i brakes.

It'll have to be 17" for an OE wheel or a set of the AT Italia Contour replicas in 16" and you'll need the wheel weights on the outside of rim rather than on the inside.
It will ride better on 17s than larger wheels ime but most people prefer the looks of the bigger wheels

Thanks s m. I'm after better ride quality at the expense of looks TBH.

[RESSE]

Link to list of BMW alloys which you mind find helpful:
http://felgenkatalog.auto-treff.com/

Boxes on the left hand side - choose your size/tyre width and photos will appear.

BMW wheels thread:
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=6894...

[cslwannabe]

225.45.17 front and rear instead of 225.40.18 and 255.35.18.

My 330Ci Sport was quite a bit more comfortable (and slightly more economical!) on 17s during the winter months.