19" wheels on an E46 330

19" wheels on an E46 330

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tch911

Original Poster:

374 posts

211 months

Sunday 28th September 2008
quotequote all
Have bought a stunning Gunmetal grey 330Ci Sport coupe with very rare alcantara seats. The wheels are currently the boring MV 18" wheels.

I am thinking of fitting 19" CSL replica wheels (Off ebay) or maybe some 19" BBS LM wheels.

Will I need to lower the car, I think the sport is already lowered somewhat. Will the wheels fit?

If anyone has any opinions as well, always welcome as tough choice between the two.

Thanks, Tom

roofer

5,136 posts

211 months

Sunday 28th September 2008
quotequote all
You can get 19's on, but it will drive like a sack of st, more so if you lower it.

Fox-

13,228 posts

246 months

Sunday 28th September 2008
quotequote all
tch911 said:
Have bought a stunning Gunmetal grey 330Ci Sport coupe with very rare alcantara seats
Very rare? They were standard fit on the 330Ci Sport, the only reason they are 'rare' is because everyone else paid for leather instead. Don't fit 19's to it, you'll ruin the handling and make yourself look like a recreational pharmacuetical wholesaler.

E46's are difficult cars to buy wheels for - not much works beyond the stock stuff. Have a look at BBS or dont bother IMHO.

Edited by Fox- on Sunday 28th September 18:47

gmarks1

181 posts

224 months

Sunday 28th September 2008
quotequote all
To help you decide, here's a picture of mine on on 19" CSL replicas and eibach pro suspension. The ride is firmer than normally, but I prefer my cars to be set-up like that. A lot of people put 19" alloys on the E46, though it was never an option for the standard 3 series direct from the factory (other than the M3)

With my car, there is no rubbing, minimum tramlining and no abnormal tyre wear; although I was careful to ensure alignment was set-up correctly, wheels were correct off-set etc. I would recommend good quality alloys - BBS are a good choice, but LMs are extremely expensive, even second hand.




Edited by gmarks1 on Sunday 28th September 19:35

tch911

Original Poster:

374 posts

211 months

Sunday 28th September 2008
quotequote all
gmarks1 said:
To help you decide, here's a picture of mine on on 19" CSL replicas and eibach pro suspension. The ride is firmer than normally, but I prefer my cars to be set-up like that. A lot of people put 19" alloys on the E46, though it was never an option for the standard 3 series direct from the factory (other than the M3)

With my car, there is no rubbing, minimum tramlining and no abnormal tyre wear; although I was careful to ensure alignment was set-up correctly, wheels were correct off-set etc. I would recommend good quality alloys - BBS are a good choice, but LMs are extremely expensive, even second hand.

Edited by gmarks1 on Sunday 28th September 19:35
That looks absolutely stunning. Did you need to change the suspension, would it look stupid without doing so?

Fox-

13,228 posts

246 months

Sunday 28th September 2008
quotequote all
Is there a reason why you went for an M3 numberplate?

baz1985

3,598 posts

245 months

Sunday 28th September 2008
quotequote all
Here's another few pics




gizlaroc

17,251 posts

224 months

Monday 29th September 2008
quotequote all
I wouldn't get the CSL reps, just not a fan of replica wheels myself.

I sold my BBS CH wheels to Kalv on www.bmwland.co.uk and he is now selling them on again.
Superb wheel that really suits the E46.











The red centre caps look good on a grey car too.

Slippydiff

14,812 posts

223 months

Tuesday 30th September 2008
quotequote all
Fox- said:
Don't fit 19's to it, you'll ruin the handling and make yourself look like a recreational pharmacuetical wholesaler.
hehe

( It's spelt pharmaceutical BTW) wink

But you're correct, I had the the 18's taken off my 330d Sport prior to delivery and had the dealer fit 17's instead, it makes for a far more planted and better riding car IMO.

Housey

2,076 posts

227 months

Tuesday 30th September 2008
quotequote all
Slippydiff said:
Fox- said:
Don't fit 19's to it, you'll ruin the handling and make yourself look like a recreational pharmacuetical wholesaler.
hehe

( It's spelt pharmaceutical BTW) wink

But you're correct, I had the the 18's taken off my 330d Sport prior to delivery and had the dealer fit 17's instead, it makes for a far more planted and better riding car IMO.
Yes H, but look at the other cars in your garage, you need something soft and gay now and again hehe

Slippydiff

14,812 posts

223 months

Tuesday 30th September 2008
quotequote all
'Koff you cheeky git ! biggrin
(Is that you Steve ? formerly known as the Housemeister ? why the change of name ? ) confused
I've gone to the dark side BTW, I'll be the proud owner of a CSL in about 10 minutes time !!)

Housey

2,076 posts

227 months

Tuesday 30th September 2008
quotequote all
Slippydiff said:
'Koff you cheeky git ! biggrin
(Is that you Steve ? formerly known as the Housemeister ? why the change of name ? ) confused
I've gone to the dark side BTW, I'll be the proud owner of a CSL in about 10 minutes time !!)
Hi Henry

Yup, Housey aka Housemaster! People were always shortening my name so I thought I cut it down and I was tired of getting questions about being a school teacher! CSL is good call Henry, cracking car and amazing value like most things. I am also considering getting into one shortly...

Slippydiff

14,812 posts

223 months

Tuesday 30th September 2008
quotequote all
Off to the South of France in it tomorrow so will report back in 10 or so days time. smile

paoloh

8,617 posts

204 months

Wednesday 1st October 2008
quotequote all
20s will go on an E46 Sport with no rubbing issues.

jonny996

2,611 posts

217 months

Wednesday 1st October 2008
quotequote all
paoloh said:
20s will go on an E46 Sport with no rubbing issues.
Any pictures ?

paoloh

8,617 posts

204 months

Wednesday 1st October 2008
quotequote all
jonny996 said:
paoloh said:
20s will go on an E46 Sport with no rubbing issues.
Any pictures ?
NO mate, I had them on an E46 330 Sport Cab a good few years ago now. Also had a set on an E46 M3 cab.

Fox-

13,228 posts

246 months

Wednesday 1st October 2008
quotequote all
20's? How classy.

paoloh

8,617 posts

204 months

Wednesday 1st October 2008
quotequote all
Fox- said:
20's? How classy.
I have to say, that you are consistent. You are always a knob!

Fox-

13,228 posts

246 months

Wednesday 1st October 2008
quotequote all
paoloh said:
Fox- said:
20's? How classy.
I have to say, that you are consistent. You are always a knob!
Calm down - it's a public forum and that's hardly the worlds most insulting comment, unlike 'you are a knob', for example. I'm sure it's not the first time you've had a comment about 20 inch wheels on a 3 Series and if negative opinions is something you react so adversely to then perhaps pushing the envelope styling wise is a hobby best left alone?





Edited by Fox- on Wednesday 1st October 18:14

paoloh

8,617 posts

204 months

Wednesday 1st October 2008
quotequote all
Fox- said:
paoloh said:
Fox- said:
20's? How classy.
I have to say, that you are consistent. You are always a knob!
Calm down - it's a public forum and that's hardly the worlds most insulting comment, unlike 'you are a knob', for example. I'm sure it's not the first time you've had a comment about 20 inch wheels on a 3 Series and if negative opinions is something you react so adversely to then perhaps pushing the envelope styling wise is a hobby best left alone?






Edited by Fox- on Wednesday 1st October 18:14
How can you pass comment on class without even seeing the wheels and how they looked on the car??

Do you have crystal balls?

I have no issue with negative comments from people that have seen the results but not from some knob that continually spouts on about his E39 who hasn't seen them.

I will admit that your car looks very nice but I HAVE seen it. You see my point?