e46 325ti Compact - What size wheels and tyres for track?

[rocketride]

Hi Guys

What size wheels and tyres are best for track days for an e46 Compact? Im looking for the best performance v cost setup! What options would be suitable?

Edited by rocketride on Thursday 21st October 15:56

[sniff petrol]

I prefer the handling on 17's, plus there are plenty of cheap track tyre options in that size.

[Max M4X WW]

And Bump..

17's seems the way to go to avoid balloon tyres but 7 or 8 inch wide?

[Mr Tidy]

Standard wheels on a 325ti Sport were the 97M style - 7.5J front and 8.5J rear with 225/45 x 17 and 245/40 x 17 rears, but 18s also fit.

IIRC 18 inch MV2s were standard on other E46 "Sport" models and are 8.0J front and 8.5J rear with 235/40 x 18 and 255/35 x 18 tyres respectively. But tyres for 18s cost more - just depends how dedicated you are!

[Max M4X WW]

Mr Tidy said:

Standard wheels on a 325ti Sport were the 97M style - 7.5J front and 8.5J rear with 225/45 x 17 and 245/40 x 17 rears, but 18s also fit.

IIRC 18 inch MV2s were standard on other E46 "Sport" models and are 8.0J front and 8.5J rear with 235/40 x 18 and 255/35 x 18 tyres respectively. But tyres for 18s cost more - just depends how dedicated you are!

I was thinking square, but 16's or 17's is the question.

This guy used 16x7 from an E60 which increased the offset by around 20mm and fitted smaller than stock tyres: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

My car has the same wheels as on the car above before they were changed. Handles well, but think the sidewalls are too big for track.

[helix402]

It depends what want. 16s will let you slide and play more, 17s will grip better and get better lap times.
18s will crack and bend and make you sad.

[Max M4X WW]

Probably 17's then. 225/45 all round.

[Paul S4]

I have a set of E46 17 BMW alloys that I keep for track days, fitted with some 'decent' part worn tyres bought locally. The car is a standard 318iS but with -50mm spring and Eibach ARBs front & rear. The car handles really well, much better than on the standard 16s.

I have to declare a bit of self interest here....both the car and the wheels ( either together or separately !) are for sale.

1998 E36 318iS with Miltek cat back exhaust & corresponding AMD remap. Excellent condition inside & out

[Paul S4]

Forgot to mention that the 17 rims are BMW Style 44 & are 8"x17" and were recently professionally refurbished by The Wheel Specialist in Durham.

[Max M4X WW]

Wheels look great, but I want to fit Nankang NS-2R I think.

[HugoFastmann]

Paul S4 said:

Forgot to mention that the 17 rims are BMW Style 44 & are 8"x17" and were recently professionally refurbished by The Wheel Specialist in Durham.

How much are you after for the wheels?