E36 - 318is Tyres

Hello,

I have a 1996 318 is and during the recent MOT I've told the my front tyres touch the body of the car when turning.  i.e. the tyres are too wide for the car.  At the moment my tyres are Gt Champiro 225/50/16 V, and I understand another configuration would be 205/60/50V.  But would these fit the current rims?  I would be grateful for any advice.

Thanks

George

205/60/15 is the standard size for 15" rims on an e36. 

If the rims were 16" then the correct size would be 225/50/16 to maintain the correct rolling radius.  With 16's the front and rear size is the same.

16's should work fine without fouling the outer arches (assuming the suspension hasn't been radically dropped).

IIRC on the e30, if it left the factory with 14" rims and you swapped to 15's, then it was recommended that a mod should be made to limit the movement of the steering (the result being to extend the turning circle) to avoid the tyres rubbing the inside of the arches.  Don't know it the same applies to e36's.

georgec wrote: Hello, I just checked the rims on the car they are BMW 7jx16 is46 11827 60-6,

I think you meant to say that the ET is 46 ..... E36's usually have an ET of around 38/40

Yep...they are 16 inch diameter on a 7" rim, 205's will sit on a 7" rim but it alters the tyre wall flex for a given profile as they are a tighter fit on the wheel. 6" is the norm with a 205 tyre. Another quick fix is to flatten the inner lip of the arch against itself if this is where they are catching.

If they tend to leak air then you may find you have corrosion on the tyre bead face of the wheel, when the tyre's off check whether the paint is bubbled or flaky or just plain missing, may need a wire brush and a drop of hammerite.