e36 M3 wheel width
Discussion
E30M3SE said:
All E36 M3's had a staggered set up, 7.5 and 8.5".
3.0 M3's had 7.5" all round with 235/40/17 tyres.3.2 M3 Evo's got the staggered setup. 7.5" 225/45/17 front, 8.5" 245/40/17 rear.
As for the handling, I doubt 10mm will make a huge difference. My 328i had skinny 15" wheels on it when I bought it. Running staggered wheels in the above measurements saw a huge improvement in grip at both ends of the car.
It's also much harder to spin the wheels coming off the line, and will no longer spin them at 70 in the wet. On an M3 with 50% more power wide tyres seem like a very good idea.
Edited by ADM06 on Tuesday 13th April 22:23
Hi nonuts 
I see from your profile that yours is an Evo so definitely get the staggered set up. Among other things, BMW changed the front suspension set up between the 3.0 and the Evo, they also changed the steering rack, this meant that the front tyres they could use on the Evo could be narrower - possibly giving better feel and less tramlining.
I wouldn't think there's any reason to change from your current 225 front, 245 rear.
I see from your profile that yours is an Evo so definitely get the staggered set up. Among other things, BMW changed the front suspension set up between the 3.0 and the Evo, they also changed the steering rack, this meant that the front tyres they could use on the Evo could be narrower - possibly giving better feel and less tramlining.
I wouldn't think there's any reason to change from your current 225 front, 245 rear.
ADM06 said:
E30M3SE said:
All E36 M3's had a staggered set up, 7.5 and 8.5".
3.0 M3's had 7.5" all round with 235/40/17 tyres.3.2 M3 Evo's got the staggered setup. 7.5" 225/45/17 front, 8.5" 245/40/17 rear.
As for the handling, I doubt 10mm will make a huge difference. My 328i had skinny 15" wheels on it when I bought it. Running staggered wheels in the above measurements saw a huge improvement in grip at both ends of the car.
It's also much harder to spin the wheels coming off the line, and will no longer spin them at 70 in the wet. On an M3 with 50% more power wide tyres seem like a very good idea.
Edited by ADM06 on Tuesday 13th April 22:23
chippy17 said:
ADM06 said:
E30M3SE said:
All E36 M3's had a staggered set up, 7.5 and 8.5".
3.0 M3's had 7.5" all round with 235/40/17 tyres.3.2 M3 Evo's got the staggered setup. 7.5" 225/45/17 front, 8.5" 245/40/17 rear.
As for the handling, I doubt 10mm will make a huge difference. My 328i had skinny 15" wheels on it when I bought it. Running staggered wheels in the above measurements saw a huge improvement in grip at both ends of the car.
It's also much harder to spin the wheels coming off the line, and will no longer spin them at 70 in the wet. On an M3 with 50% more power wide tyres seem like a very good idea.
Edited by ADM06 on Tuesday 13th April 22:23
M3 said:
Hi Ben welcome to the jungle, Ive got a mint set of E46 18s, do they fit..?
Pub friday?
I might well be there tomorrow Pub friday?
Don't want to go bigger, just wanted to understand why I was seeing the wheels for sale I was. I'm looking for a spare set of genuine evo wheels for track / winter use etc.
The standard on 3.0 e36 m3 were 235/40/17 on 7.5j's all round with an option of 225/45/17 7.5j fronts with 245/40/17's rears on 8.5js.
The Evo's were on the staggered 7.5j front and 8.5j rear from the outset.
This Evo setup was a result of the Yanks/incompetents binning the cars constantly and complaining.
The best* solution is to go for 235/40/17's on 7.5J Beemer rims or go for an aftermarket solution with the same tyre sizes but on an 8j rim.
The Evo's were on the staggered 7.5j front and 8.5j rear from the outset.
This Evo setup was a result of the Yanks/incompetents binning the cars constantly and complaining.
The best* solution is to go for 235/40/17's on 7.5J Beemer rims or go for an aftermarket solution with the same tyre sizes but on an 8j rim.
- as a compromise between cost and handling balance.
Edited by naetype on Thursday 15th April 23:22
naetype said:
The standard on 3.0 e36 m3 were 235/40/17 on 7.5j's all round with an option of 225/45/17 7.5j fronts with 245/40/17's rears on 8.5js.
The Evo's were on the staggered 7.5j front and 8.5j rear from the outset.
This Evo setup was a result of the Yanks/incompetents binning the cars constantly and complaining.
The best* solution is to go for 235/40/17's on 7.5J Beemer rims or go for an aftermarket solution with the same tyre sizes but on an 8j rim.
As above.The Evo's were on the staggered 7.5j front and 8.5j rear from the outset.
This Evo setup was a result of the Yanks/incompetents binning the cars constantly and complaining.
The best* solution is to go for 235/40/17's on 7.5J Beemer rims or go for an aftermarket solution with the same tyre sizes but on an 8j rim.
- as a compromise between cost and handling balance.
Edited by naetype on Thursday 15th April 23:22
On my track Evo I went for 8.0J all round and it will have R888 235/40/17 all round too when my Corsa Cups have worn out, 225 front and 255 rears at the moment.
With the same size all round swapping for even wear is simple.
sniff diesel said:
Even with 235/40's all round my M3 understeers, would be even worse with staggered rims I'd imagine.
Geometry and suspension can sort that (or your going in too hot )On staggered rims, I ran 225 road tyres on the front and well worn 225 track tyres on the rear at Cadwell without a hint of understeer. Will be at Bedford next with the same road tyres up front but new 235 track tyres at the rear. This may tip me into understeer. Will have to wait and see.
Edited by swtmerce on Friday 16th April 22:12
sniff diesel said:
Even with 235/40's all round my M3 understeers, would be even worse with staggered rims I'd imagine.
Quite right, the standard suspension is set up for understeer.Mine doesn't understeer even with 225's up front and 255's on the back but then the suspension is far from standard.
When I swap to 235's all round it'll be interesting and no doubt some tweaking will be needed!
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