Alloy width queries. BMW E36

[willE36]

Hello,

I've got an E36 coupe, which ran on 17" Alpina style alloys. I fitted them with 215/45 R17s.
Unfortunately, one of my alloys cracked, and so I've had to put the stock 15"s on whilst I find a replacement.
I've finally found one on eBay, which is described as a 17" 7.5J.
I'm not sure of the width of my alloys as there is no writing on them at all, but looking at all the markings on my tyres, I found state 7J for the alloys.
What I'm trying to find out is if it would be a problem / potentially dangerous to run on 3 17x7 and 1 17x7.5 alloy?
The seller says that the alloy will fit tyres from 205 to 225
From the pics, the alloy being sold looks the same as mine (came off an E36 compact). Should I go for it, or should I wait a bit more?

Cheers,


Will = )

[Mr Green]

willE36 said:

Hello,

I've got an E36 coupe, which ran on 17" Alpina style alloys. I fitted them with 215/45 R17s.
Unfortunately, one of my alloys cracked, and so I've had to put the stock 15"s on whilst I find a replacement.
I've finally found one on eBay, which is described as a 17" 7.5J.
I'm not sure of the width of my alloys as there is no writing on them at all, but looking at all the markings on my tyres, I found state 7J for the alloys.
What I'm trying to find out is if it would be a problem / potentially dangerous to run on 3 17x7 and 1 17x7.5 alloy?
The seller says that the alloy will fit tyres from 205 to 225
From the pics, the alloy being sold looks the same as mine (came off an E36 compact). Should I go for it, or should I wait a bit more?

Cheers,


Will = )

You don't say what size tyres are on the 15's.

[willE36]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

makes sense. thanks, I think i'll go ahead with them.

Mr Green, I'm not sure what tyres I've got on the 15's, as I'd have to go and look, but it doesn't really matter, as I'm looking at tyres for the 17's.

Cheers,

Will = )

[Mr Green]

willE36 said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

makes sense. thanks, I think i'll go ahead with them.

Mr Green, I'm not sure what tyres I've got on the 15's, as I'd have to go and look, but it doesn't really matter, as I'm looking at tyres for the 17's.

Cheers,

Will = )

My 318is E36 had 235x45x17s on it when I bought it, they are spotless and look great but the ride was not good. The previous owner gave me the 205x60x15 originals but they needed 2 new tyres, I decided to spend £105 on 2 tyres and give them a try, what a change it's like driving a different(better) car, there's no way I'd put the 17s back on.
Having said all that I'm probably old enough to be your dad so take no notice of me.

[willE36]

I've got the 17s on now, and they are fine. Tyres are budgets, as they were the only ones in stock at the time. I did notice last year though, that they struggle for grip in the wet at high speeds, although they don't seem to tramline as much as the 15s...
Will look for some better tyres when these come round to being replaced.

Cheers though. They all seem to be the same width. Starting to think I should go for 18s. 17s don't quite fill the arches in the way I wanted them to

= )

[willE36]

That's what I've been thinking. Looking at my exhaust right now, but once that's done, suspension and anti roll bars. Driving to Portugal soon, and an extensive Euro Trip next year, so will need that done by then = )

[sniff diesel]

You need to have the same sized wheels and tyres on the same axle to pass an MOT.