E30 M3 18" wheels
Printed From: Bavarian-Board.co.uk - BMW Owners Discussion Forum
Category: Technical & Model Specific Forums
Forum Name: BMW ///M Power
Forum Discription: Ask your BMW M Power Technical Questions here (M1, M2 hybrids, M3, M5 & M6)
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=12322
Printed Date: 18-May-2024 at 13:14
Topic: E30 M3 18" wheels
Posted By: rezaq
Subject: E30 M3 18" wheels
Date Posted: 29-November-2004 at 07:24
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Guys,
Anyone running 18's? I have just bought mine (collection this evening) but need to try different tyres to see what fits. My mate who owns the tyre/wheel shop reckons 225/40/18 all round will do fine, whereas i think that 225/35/18 on the front with 255/35/18 on the back is better. Any ideas? Will the 225/40 on the front foul the bottom of the front wings? ------------- Reza Q BEng (Hons), MEng, MIEE 1991 320I SE Lux coupe, 145K 1990 325I Sport Auto, 143K 1988 M3, 65K |
Replies:
Posted By: UweM3
Date Posted: 29-November-2004 at 07:31
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How many more posts do you want to start for the same answers???
225/40/18 is 5% bigger than stock and WILL rub on full lock at the front. Unless you really want to butcher your fenders you will run into trouble. 225/35/18 front and 255/35/18 rear are different in circumference alltogether. This can cause your ABS to stop working. There is a chance that this might NOT happen, but just to make you aware. I am looking forward to meet you somewhere on a race track to happily pass you on the straights because of you 5% BIGGER gearing. ------------- E61 520d, slow and buzzy but my wallet likes the mpg..... |
Posted By: rezaq
Date Posted: 29-November-2004 at 07:42
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My friend,
This is a forum for advice and info from other enthusiasts, so really I can start as many threads as I please, period. If you don't like them or their content just don't reply, simple as that. I have obviously got your input, for which i'm grateful, but this is really for people with 18's on their cars. As for the track, I wouldn't take mine on one anyway, so there really is not much chance in you passing me. If I were to head onto the track, I certainly wouldnt be silly enough to try it on expensive 18's but put back on the 16" BBS which will be resting on my garage floor. ------------- Reza Q BEng (Hons), MEng, MIEE 1991 320I SE Lux coupe, 145K 1990 325I Sport Auto, 143K 1988 M3, 65K |
Posted By: UweM3
Date Posted: 29-November-2004 at 08:02
don't call me friend please
some people listen, others don't.
a bet you will find countless other fellow 18" owners here
you would better do so. At least it might show you what that car was made for.
most of us change wheels for track use. But not because we are scared about the money. ------------- E61 520d, slow and buzzy but my wallet likes the mpg..... |
rezaq wrote:Posted By: 2002SportEvo
Date Posted: 29-November-2004 at 08:21
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18" wheels will ruin the handling of your E30....might look nice but it will kill the acceleration.............amongst other things... IMHO ------------- http://www.bmwccscotland.co.uk/cars/2002/evo.html" - 2002 SportEvo http://www.freesmileys.org"> 
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Posted By: GT6-M3
Date Posted: 29-November-2004 at 08:43
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Would they change the acceleration all that much? My old triumph had 13" wheels with quite high profile tyres. It's soon(ish) to be reborn with 17" wheels which have pretty much the same rolling radius. Just thought I'd stick my oar in :) P.s. Why do people on this forum get so narky!? ------------- If anyone like old cars with big BMW engines, take a look at www.gt6.org.uk sign the guestbook, you know it makes sense! |
Posted By: rezaq
Date Posted: 29-November-2004 at 08:44
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Thanks for that input Uwe.
If I don't call you friend, what do I call you? I thought friend was quite appropriate. I didn't mean offense by it. In fact, how can you offend someone by calling them friend? Strange. ------------- Reza Q BEng (Hons), MEng, MIEE 1991 320I SE Lux coupe, 145K 1990 325I Sport Auto, 143K 1988 M3, 65K |
Posted By: rr_ww
Date Posted: 29-November-2004 at 08:54
Rezaq, think we'll need to rename you the "Wheels and Tyres kid" (regardless of how old you are  ) As a little advice try the Search function, both on here and S14.net or try and contain all the info in 1 thread. Makes it much easier to read too. 
Theres a question  Just that a lot of the advice is repeated fairly regularly.
Off the top of my head its Wheel/Tyre combos, any form of ignition or cooling fault, Water ingress, Carbon Airboxes/Alpha N etc etc There is a search function, so like S14 are always banging on. Use it. Chances are the info is still relevant. Not a dig btw ------------- Rich. 
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Posted By: kevin
Date Posted: 29-November-2004 at 10:36
Rich, I agree but I also think we can be a bit more relaxed about it and help by answering the question and including a link to the relevant earlier thread. S14 has a very specific, focussed topic whereas here there are similar components across the ranges which people might not be aware of. Just my thought. Oh yes....Reza Q I tend to call Uwe, well...... Uwe because that's his name. ------------- Kevin '04 E46 330Ci Convertible '08 E61 535d Touring (TorqueMeister Towbarge) ’95 E34 M5 ’89 E30 M3 (Cecotto) |
Posted By: darylzimm3
Date Posted: 29-November-2004 at 16:35
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Rezaq, I run 18" wheels with 225/35/18's all around. I have no problems with fouling of arches, full lock is fine, my abs works, i have not lost any acceleration, and it handles like it's on rails... Also the speedo is spot on, unless me gps is wrong... !!!!!! In all, no problem in 2 years of having 18's on my ///M3 Hope this helps |
( No ones getting past me) " but 266bhp helps " Posted By: PikeyM3
Date Posted: 29-November-2004 at 17:21
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Ouch.... thats like over £150 a tyre!!! Rather you than me mate! Pikey ------------- Old enough to know better, too young to care! |
Posted By: UweM3
Date Posted: 29-November-2004 at 17:36
Are you talking of Drag Strips? And 266bhp is that with Nitro or without? ------------- E61 520d, slow and buzzy but my wallet likes the mpg..... |
Posted By: rr_ww
Date Posted: 30-November-2004 at 05:09
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Darryl
I see you've fitted your Carbon airbox 
Looks very cool. 
On a side note, is there a full spec list for your car anywhere? ------------- Rich.
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Posted By: m3Cecotto
Date Posted: 30-November-2004 at 05:23
From your username, I wonder if you are rebuilding it with a 6 cylinder M3 powerplant? |
Posted By: rezaq
Date Posted: 30-November-2004 at 07:07
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Darryl,
thats the information i was after!! thanks a bunch guys for all your input. i am sure it will look great with the 18's - i havent seen anyone running the latest e46 style alpina on an e30 yet. ------------- Reza Q BEng (Hons), MEng, MIEE 1991 320I SE Lux coupe, 145K 1990 325I Sport Auto, 143K 1988 M3, 65K |
Posted By: darylzimm3
Date Posted: 30-November-2004 at 07:53
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[/QUOTE]
" WITHOUT " add another 75bhp for the n2o !!!!!!!!!!
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Posted By: UweM3
Date Posted: 30-November-2004 at 08:10
" WITHOUT " add another 75bhp for the n2o !!!!!!!!!!
[/QUOTE] How is you engine doing so far after the rebuild? Have you done some miles since we meet at ML?From the picture I take it you have got you Alpha-N sorted now. What is your experience so far? BTW you are giving some tough statements (location.....) ------------- E61 520d, slow and buzzy but my wallet likes the mpg..... |
Posted By: darylzimm3
Date Posted: 30-November-2004 at 08:15
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http://www.bmwmovies.net/displayimage.php?album=6&pos=34"> REZAQ My 18" 225/35/18 |
http://www.bmwmovies.net/displayimage.php?album=6&pos=34">Posted By: darylzimm3
Date Posted: 30-November-2004 at 08:39
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Hi UweM3 Yes the engines all finished now, had it mapped 3 weeks ago very happy with the results. Alpha n makes such a big differance, well that and the cams etc Its so so powerful, and the noise from the plenum is awesome, but its not too loud, just enough to scare old ladys... ( which i have done ) which car was yours at ML ? |
Posted By: UweM3
Date Posted: 30-November-2004 at 08:43
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the black with the BBS CH wheels in front of you. We spoke about your engine rebuild. ------------- E61 520d, slow and buzzy but my wallet likes the mpg..... |
Posted By: BM3K
Date Posted: 30-November-2004 at 12:33
Im also running 18"'s with 225/35 tyres, no probs here either....cant say ive noticed the accelration as the car had the wheels when bought.....and nobody has let me had a drive of theres... but mine will be slower than a lot of other anyway......its a converts and ive got the hard top on aswell ------------- "Signatures may contain 1 or more images placed horizontally up to a max total height 150px, max total width 600px, max total size 25k." 1991 Macau converts has gone Now I've got a ZM Coupe |
Posted By: PikeyM3
Date Posted: 30-November-2004 at 13:19
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Curtis at Powerstation had his M3 on 18's. Personally I thought they looked a bit big, but maybe it is just the look of the rim. But darylzimm3's rims look sweet! Pikey ------------- Old enough to know better, too young to care! |
Posted By: rezaq
Date Posted: 01-December-2004 at 07:07
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Darryl,
Your rims look awesome! Went for wheels last night - looked absolutely amazing on 18's. 16" BBS are nice but dont cut it against the 18. Uwe was right with 225/40 rubbing at the front. We tried 225/35 and it was ok. 255/35/18 on the rear was too wide, so we went for 245/35/18 instead. Tyres are Falken FK-451 all round. Collection and fitting this evening! P.s - Can you still lower the car with 18's? ------------- Reza Q BEng (Hons), MEng, MIEE 1991 320I SE Lux coupe, 145K 1990 325I Sport Auto, 143K 1988 M3, 65K |
Posted By: MCC1
Date Posted: 01-December-2004 at 08:38
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I'll give my tuppence worth - I have the std 15" BBS wheels on my E30 M3 and would definitely NEVER stick on a set of 18" - for various reasons. One being it'll ruin the ride - esp. with 35 section tyres. Another meaning it will tramline badly on road imperfections (which I really hate - this will make the car a lot slower in normal roads as the steering will be all over the place). Plus it'll DEFINETLY dent your acceleration - this is a fact, anyone who try to claim counter is simply wrong. Another reason would be the cost of tyres, 15" tyres are dead cheap - 18" one isn’t. Plus it'll totally ruin the handling of you M3 - these cars weren’t designed to run on 18" wheels. If you lower it, it'll make it even worse and will most like damage you car if you are driving it hard. I like to break traction as much as possible, the M3 is an excellent handling car and that’s why I bought it, for reaching the limit & sliding in a controllable manner. Not for outright speed or cornering grip (buy a 4WD car if that’s what you want) but for handling balance and with narrower tyres it easier to get the car to slide. I know you can still fo it with wider tyres but it's much easier with narrow ones for the cars power. Plus you don’t want to be putting 18" rear tyres on your car too often -cost again. I also don’t think 18" wheels look right on an E30 M3, make the car look slightly over wheeled. Modern cars (like an E46) suit big wheels. I don't intend to change the wheels in my car but if I was it would be 16" max. 17's look grand but I feel even these would spoil the handling all IMHO |
Posted By: Radar
Date Posted: 01-December-2004 at 09:23
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I tend to agree.
But I'll add that 18's will tear your bushes to pieces as well. It will also transmit more load on to your steering rack as well. That was an expensive nightmare to replace on when I had my E30. While 18's might look sporty and extreme (though I am beginning to think 'extreme XR2i') I think you'll find they do nothing but harm to the dynamics of your car. Remember when the E46 was launched they said that even though most people would probably go for the optional 19's, 18's were much better suited to our roads in the UK... Not recommended, but if you must... |
Posted By: darylzimm3
Date Posted: 01-December-2004 at 10:22
Beg to differ there, so what size rims did some of the E30 ///M3 DTM cars run on... ???????????????????????????????????????????????????? OK there full on race cars, but thats where our ///M3's technology came from, the race track... So i would say that somewhere down the line that they were designed for 18", or how could it be ?
And as for the other chap, comparing an ///M3 on 18" to a XR2I
Thankyou please |
18"s 
and Merry Chrismas &nbs p; &nbs p; &nbs p; And Good Will to all E30 ///M3 owners... 
Posted By: 2002SportEvo
Date Posted: 01-December-2004 at 10:29
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Eh.......you cannot compare a Group A / DTM race car to a standard road car.......I think you'll find the geometry and components are all different......... Everyone has their own thoughts though ------------- http://www.bmwccscotland.co.uk/cars/2002/evo.html" - 2002 SportEvo http://www.freesmileys.org">
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Posted By: PJSM3
Date Posted: 01-December-2004 at 10:33
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Yes, but the DTM track cars were massively strengthened to counter loadings arising under race conditions and running bigger wheel combinations and almost solid suspension. They also ran on surfaces somewhat smoother than good old British Tarmac. Put on some 18'' race BBS wheels and your car will look fantastic. As for the ride and detrimental effect I can only guess it'll be awful. |
Posted By: darylzimm3
Date Posted: 01-December-2004 at 10:45
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Was not comparing a Group A / DTM car to a road car, just that at some level 18" wheels had been put on to ///M3s. Cheers |
Posted By: PJSM3
Date Posted: 01-December-2004 at 11:01
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IMHO these cars are all about the sensitivity of steering and suspension responses and this can be easily upset. Slap on some 18'' wheels and you'll dull those responses if not ruin them altogether. That said I can stand back and admire a great looking set of larger wheels on a car if that's your thing. I appreciate that looks are as important, if not more important, than how the car drives for some people. But not me.
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Posted By: m3Cecotto
Date Posted: 01-December-2004 at 11:04
| The point about 35 section tyres above all else is that they are bloody uncomfortable for day to day use. Too firm - no "springing effect", but it's your car. It's up to you. |
Posted By: darylzimm3
Date Posted: 01-December-2004 at 11:13
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Posted By: darylzimm3
Date Posted: 01-December-2004 at 11:15
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Yes to true on all counts... " She looks good though " |
Posted By: PJSM3
Date Posted: 01-December-2004 at 11:19
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Agreed Circumvent the argument; have one set of 15/16'' for driving and the 18''s for show then we're all happy. |
Posted By: UweM3
Date Posted: 01-December-2004 at 11:46
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.....yes but DTM cars did run on 18" rims.
The road M3 might have something in common with a DTM car (the Badge?) but it's a completly different car under the skin and purpose build to race. http://www.s14.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8850 - Look here for some details. ------------- E61 520d, slow and buzzy but my wallet likes the mpg..... |
Posted By: Ian Godney
Date Posted: 01-December-2004 at 12:27
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Personally I prefer 18" wheels for handling , the tyre walls are smaller so you dont get the tyre bending under so can corner faster , if it gets too firm with no 'springing effect' you could always fit softer springs , I prefer to run as bigger wheels as possible so you can run bigger brakes , so much better stopping. With bigger diameter wheels , as the outside radius is flatter you will get more tyre on the ground , a bigger footprint if you like , so more grip. I think the cars look awesome on 18's , each to his/her own , it would be a bit boring if we all liked the same thing
The only downside is our crap roads which you will get tramlining ------------- www.godspeedbrakes.co.uk |
Posted By: MCC1
Date Posted: 01-December-2004 at 12:50
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In response to a DTM car having 18” wheels, yes – as others have mention a DTM car totally different animal to a E30 M3 road car and is used on super smooth german racetracks etc - there is no need to go into this discussion further. I don’t want to & didn’t mean to offend anyone, sorry if i did. I was just giving my opinion. I used to have a E36 325 Coupe with 17” AC Schnitzer wheels, lowered with new eibach dampers, springs etc [plus AC schitnzer rear bumper spoiler, M-Tech kit etc]. It really looked the part, had a great stance [far nicer than any E36 M3 I ever saw] but it was a total nightmare on anything but really smooth A roads. The 18” on the silver car posted certainly look the part, no denying that & you could stick on the 15/16’s if you wanted to take your car to a track etc
Rgds |
Posted By: darylzimm3
Date Posted: 01-December-2004 at 12:59
HERE, HERE !!!!!!!!!! 18" FOR ME !!!!!!!!  AND ONE OF THOSE GROUP A / DTM BADGES LIKE OFF A PROPER ///M3... 
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Posted By: Robbie Bradford
Date Posted: 01-December-2004 at 13:03
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Whatever about 18's....check out that sweet carbon intake, gots ta get me one for my car......absolute quality mate ------------- http://www.BMW-driver.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=21 - http://www.BMW-driver.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=21 |
Posted By: 215DMX
Date Posted: 01-December-2004 at 13:36
| Daryl, what did you do regards air filter? |
Posted By: PikeyM3
Date Posted: 01-December-2004 at 13:45
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18's surely make the car handle better on the track? You want the 15's/16's on the road. Pikey ------------- Old enough to know better, too young to care! |
Posted By: darylzimm3
Date Posted: 01-December-2004 at 14:10
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I had ITG make one up, they had done 1or 2 before. Fits in the front of the snorkel, then i had a sandwich plate made to keep it all together. |
Posted By: rr_ww
Date Posted: 03-December-2004 at 16:45
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When I read all this something occurs to me.
Its funny how when the car is virtually standard that its "Race car suspension" but when you start wanting to modify the car and change something to a more aggressive / focused setup the standard car is "nothing like the DTM cars" Just made me chuckle ------------- Rich.
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Posted By: dt_evo
Date Posted: 03-December-2004 at 18:41
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I knew a guy once who ran standard rims on his e30 m3. Everything was fine until one day he fitted 18s. Within seconds his handling became so bad he crashed into a busload of nuns. All because he ran 18s. |
Posted By: rr_ww
Date Posted: 03-December-2004 at 19:15
I bet he ran over Kittens too!------------- Rich.
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Posted By: darylzimm3
Date Posted: 04-December-2004 at 11:24
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[/QUOTE]
" And all because the lady loves " 18" |
Nice one richard... Made me laugh 
Posted By: PikeyM3
Date Posted: 04-December-2004 at 11:29
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" And all because the lady loves " 18" now its just getting sexual! Pikey ------------- Old enough to know better, too young to care! |
