Planning for the winter ! Winter tyres/wheels

[Rav]

Planning for the winter and considering winter tyres and wheels.

I have a E46 B3 3.3 - what is the minimum size of wheel i will need? I am guessing 18" wheels to clear the brakes? Please could someone clarify?

I have seen several sets on Ebay - but want to be clear what is needed, prior to parting (a fool) and his money.

Knowing my luck, once i have a set it will be the mildest winter ever!

[ade and liz flint]

Should be 17". Your B pillar wheel and tyre sticker should give you your options, though, as will your handbook.

Our similar age Roadster S (essentially E46 parts) used 17's and that had a bigger front brake caliper than your B3 3.3. Ensuring the correct offset is just as important as the diameter.....they're big offsets on the E46 IIRC and an incorrect offset will push the wheels to close to the calipers and suspension components.

[Charles]

I bought a set of17" BMW Wheels that were fitted as standard to the E46 (type 45 IIRC) - that way I didn't need to worry about offset

The tyre sizes are 225/45R17 (as indicated on the B pillar sticker)

I am using Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 tyres because the Pilot Sport Alpin is not available in 17" diameter.

[Rav]

Thanks Charles and Ade & Liz....

I have a freind who is selling a set of E46 wheels from a coupe (not sure if 17 or 18 inch) for a decent price (£100). I will get these and fit a set of winters.

Should keep me going through the cold season.

[Rav]

245/40/18 Front

275/35/18 Rear

For £100 that isnt too bad....is it?

[CaesarBob]

They don't look like genuine BMW wheels to me and at that size they're the wrong size for your car's recommended set up.

But for the price, they don't look too bad.

[ade and liz flint]

They don't look like genuine BMW wheels to me and at that size they're the wrong size for your car's recommended set up.

But for the price, they don't look too bad.

Aftermarket are fine: we've used our aftermarket OZ set on one E85 Alpina and 2xF21's in 8 years, and currently contemplating selling them on as my son probably won't use them on his F21. Still perfect alloys as decent make: they cost a lot less than a genuine BMW set, and for a few winter months who cares as long as safety is improved!

Importantly, Rav, check sizing but if from an E46 you stand a decent chance if you can get the correct tyre sizes onto the rims to keep your rolling radius correct

[CaesarBob]

They don't look like genuine BMW wheels to me and at that size they're the wrong size for your car's recommended set up.

But for the price, they don't look too bad.

Aftermarket are fine: we've used our aftermarket OZ set on one E85 Alpina and 2xF21's in 8 years, and currently contemplating selling them on as my son probably won't use them on his F21. Still perfect alloys as decent make: they cost a lot less than a genuine BMW set, and for a few winter months who cares as long as safety is improved!

Importantly, Rav, check sizing but if from an E46 you stand a decent chance if you can get the correct tyre sizes onto the rims to keep your rolling radius correct

I wasn’t implying it was necessarily a problem if they’re aftermarket, like you say as long as they’re round, the correct fit and safe it doesn’t really matter. More a point that, from Rav’s post, I thought, he thought they were genuine.

[Charles]

Rav - because these are a staggered set, you will not be able to rotate front to rear and rear to front each season.

This is not a critical problem but, given that the rears will wear quicker than the fronts, by being able to rotate each season, I tend to get at least three seasons out of the full set rather than the two seasons I would get on the rears if left on the back.

Just a thought ...