Wheel sizing E46 help please

[Baleoutqueen]

afternoon everybody, yet again I fall victim to Hampshire's crappy road mantainance and need to replace my allows on 330ci sport conv, 2002. As I no longer have a flash job, its not a trip to BMW for replacements, but a nosey about for replicas or someother random style that isnt too bling and comes with tyres.

It seems that most of the outlets want me to have 8" wheels alround, and go from 225 (8") in front and 255 (8.5") behind, to 225 alround or 225/245 at a push. Implications of this please? ie, can I do it in the first place, or can anyone recommend a good place for cost effective alloys that will do two different sizes of wheels?

I am of course tempted to ask if half an inch is really that important...

Thanks in advance

[Fox-]

Replicas with tyres usually means poor quality, fake wheels with no-name tyres.

Buy some used genuine wheels from Ebay.

[Martyn D]

If you want some good copies try here.... http://www.extremewheels.co.uk/bmw-wheels-1-c.asp
They trade on a BMW forum and never heard anything bad, also have staggered available.

[Pablo16v]

A work mate picked up a set of 17" wheels for his E46 from this place http://www.bmautosport.co.uk/

Might be worth a call to see if they have anything within your budget.

[Baleoutqueen]

Thanks chaps, I willhave wheels again soon

[tgr]

agree - get some good second hand genuine wheels

[Fox-]

tgr said:

agree - get some good second hand genuine wheels

I made this decision myself 4 years ago - brand new replica M Parallels or some used genuine ones.

I went with the used genuine ones and they still look as stunning now as the day I bought them. Meanwhile, all the replicas, complete with 'Budget Performance' tyres, had warnings about how the warranty was only 6 months due to the finish.

I dont think I paid much more, if at all more, for a mint set of used tyres + fitting of 4 brand new Eagle F1's than I'd have paid for some fakes.

[KP328]

Just another good word for bmautosport, I bought wheels from them a few years ago with no problems.