2004 330d tyre size

[Bigboz75]

Hi everyone, I'm a newbie to the forum and need your help. Just bought a 2004 e46 330d SE Touring. Very happy so far. The car has 3 budget tyres with 6mm and one Contact Sport with 2.5mm (mixed on the rear axle!) They all wear 225/45/r17.

When I search websites for replacement tyres, they all say the fronts are correct but the rears should wear 225/40/r17. Is this correct? Any way to find out what it left the factory wearing?

Then, of course, any advice on what tyres to go for?

Found lots of threads on 18's but struggling to find info on 17's.

Thanks

[helix402]

225/45 17 is the correct size all round. 245/40 17 is used if wider rear wheels are fitted. Which yours doesn’t have.

[Bigboz75]

Ah yes, my bad. So I understand the sizing for staggered wheels. On Blackcircles and Protyre both say it should wear 235/45/r17 all round?

Just if I’m going to get new tyres I’d rather make sure they’re right.

[Pica-Pica]

Go by what the door label says with regards to tyre sizes.

[Bigboz75]

Thank you, both correct.

[BFleming]

On the staggered wheel set up, you would have 7.5x17 up front with 225/45-17 tyres, and 8.5x17 rear with 245/40-17. Style 68's are a common OEM wheel with this set up, and one of the lightest wheels BMW produced. There are a few staggered OEM wheels though.
I seem to recall the standard 7 spoke E46 wheels were 8x17 all round, but with the 225/45-17 all round.