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[Park2670]

What about kosei 17 inchers? They are cheap on tire rack and are very light. Seems like tires are cheaper too.

[S4to335]

I am gonna say that no 17s are gonna fit over our front brakes. I could be wrong though..

[fedinand]

17s will fit - if you go to tirerack and look for a winter set-up, it shows you all the 17s that will fit. Kosei, SSR and some others fit.

[Park2670]

Originally Posted by S4to335

I am gonna say that no 17s are gonna fit over our front brakes. I could be wrong though..

stock wheels are 17's. how was the track day bytheway? I missed out I keep hearing.

[S4to335]

Park2670..it was fun...I was able to hit 127 in the main straight in my friends audi..it was definitely getting heat soak...it got up to 100 degrees for a bit there. The back straight I got to 105..and the mid straight about 108-110. Dont know my lap times since we werent suppose to time at an Audi event. A brand new Lotus Exige Cup Car blew his engine right in front of me near turn 7-9...lots o smoke. Good thing no oil hit the asphalt. Two RS4s were there..one with Miltek exhaust and 20" HRE wheels..it sounded SWEET. We had a Noble on track with us..and one GT3 and two 997 twin turbos. It was a nice weekend. ..you missed it man.

[Park2670]

Originally Posted by S4to335

Park2670..it was fun...

Wow! What a terrible day to sit and be lazy! You should come out again in the 3 and ill definitely be there!

[S4to335]

Originally Posted by Park2670

Wow! What a terrible day to sit and be lazy! You should come out again in the 3 and ill definitely be there!

No..you should bring your 3 out to Sears Point in October and play with us..my friend from Orem is probably making the trek..and my other friend from Park City.

[sg335]

I want to come and play! What is the date? Who is the group? Where do I sign up!!

[sg335]

someone need to measure the clearance needed to run a 17" wheel. It may work, but it depends on the manufacturers inner diameter of the wheel. And remember that the sport package has much larger brakes. Does Tirerack indicate that their winter 17" set ups will work with the sport package? And why do people want to run 17" track wheels when 18" race rubber is now available in many sizes?

[sg335]

After all my test fitting, I decided to buy the Enkei NT03+M's in 18x8.5 ET38. This is a conservative fitment that accomodates my special needs with coilovers set at a low ride height.

I could not make a 9" width work even at a 30-34mm offset/ 61/8 - 61/4" backspace number. The spring perch set where I have it causes decreased clearances to the strut tube which in turn places on the opposite end the tire too close to the fender lip. In a straight line, there is about 1/4" clearance, but when you turn your steering wheel 90 degrees, with your hands at 12 and 6 o'clock, the tire sticks out beyond the fender lip and with my lowered stance, I am very concerned that it will rub under full track condition loads and this common steering angle. This happened on my other car and I don't want to have to deal with additional mods to the fender, including moving the clip that holds the metal and plastic junction between the fender and bumper. A stock suspension could easily run a 18x9.0 ET34-37 without clearance problems, but not my set up. I also noticed that even with the same size tire (245 40), there is a different overall width when mounted on a 8.5 vs 9.0 wheel. It added in my case another 1/4" in total width which made the strut clearance reduce an additional 1/8". The 8.5" width will be fine and is not small in any way. And remember, R compounds in 245 are wider than most 255 and some 265 street tires. 245's on 18x8.5 should do just fine. Ordered another set of NT-01's and we will go testing when they come in. The good thing about the Enkei's are that they are hubcentric and dont' require the reducer ring, and the offset is just right, although not agressive, and require no spacers, and they are under 20lbs at only $280 per wheel. An overall good find for a seperate set of track wheels.

[sg335]

Finally got to the track. Wheels and tires performed flawlessly. Ran the Nitto NT-01's which use the same compound as the Toyo RA-1's with a stiffer sidewall. The new Toyo R888 will be similar if not better than the Nitto's and will try them next. I am very used to the Nitto's and know their limits and feel. I ran 245 40 18's at all four corners and was very happy. I did not observe any of the inherent stock understeer at Buttonwillow with this tire set up on the Enkei's and tire wear was even. I ran 32lbs cold and saw pressures after 20 minutes between 40 and 42 depending on the corner. I did not bleed down and will try 30 cold next time. No clearance issues at any steering angle with a low drop in front and rear. For the price, both the NT-03+M's and the NT-01's are an inexpensive way to have some fun!

[Don Nguyen]

We sell some LTW5 wheels, new from turnermotorsports.

They come in 18x9 and only weigh around 18lbs each.

If you guys are interested, feel free to PM me for prices.

thanks.

-Don

[S4to335]

LTW5 Lightweight Alloy Race Wheel - 17 & 18 inch (3 Series)
Looking for a super strong, ultra-lightweight wheel in a 17 or 18 inch size for your 3 series? Look no further! These are the perfect track or street wheel for fitting wide rubber under your car. At just over 16 LBS each on 17" and 18 lbs for 18", you'll have a hard time finding a better performance wheel for the money. 41mm offset, flow-formed for superior strength, and fully tested for impact and crack resistance. Available in 3 sizes, and three finishes; silver, anthracite or black with machined lip. BMW roundel center caps are also available.

Recommended tire sizes:
17 x 8.5" (16.0 lbs) - 235/40 - 245/40/17
17 x 9.0" (16.6 lbs) - 245/40 - 255/40/17
18 x 9.0" (18.0 lbs) - 245/35

These wheels can be used on 1992-2008 - 3 series, including the following BMWs:
E36 - 1992-1999 - 318i, 318is, 325i, 325is, 328i, 328is, 323is, and M3;
E46 - 1999-2005 323i, 323Ci, 325i, 325Ci, 328i, 328Ci, 330i, 330Ci;
E90 - 2006+ sedan - 325i, 328i, 330i, 335i;
E92 - 2007+ coupe - 328i, 335i.

Please choose wheel size and finish, below.

Applications: 1992-2008 318, 323, 325, 328, 330, 335i, E36M3 (E36 E46 E91 E90 E92)
Part #: LTW5-WHEEL
Price: $249.95



I wish I woulda known about this before I bought the SSRs...

[Park2670]

I like those, may have to pick those up next year...

[rallycobra]

Will the 18x9 fit the front of a e92xi? I may try to run a 255/40/18 ...

[Park2670]

I think 255/40R18 may be too tall. thats a little less than an inch larger overall diameter. 255/35R18 is the stock sport size

[S4to335]

They recommend the 245/35/18 for the 18X8.5

[tintivilus]

Originally Posted by sg335

And remember that the sport package has much larger brakes. Does Tirerack indicate that their winter 17" set ups will work with the sport package?

Yes and Yes. Last winter I ran 17x7.5 ASA J3s on my ZSP 335i coupe with no issues whatsoever.

[sg335]

The above listing does not list a 18x8.5. I believe the 18x9 with a 41mm offset will not clear the strut tube without a spacer.

[gloster]

Any reason why you wouldn't want to run light weight wheels in the winter? I'm just referring to wheels of the same size but different weights.

I need to get a set of winter wheels and I'm considering getting a light weight set that would start life wearing winter tread. However when my OEM (335 sport) tires on my OEM rims wear out, I would move the winter tires to my OEM rims and put a set of tires for the track on my (previously) winter rims.

[S4to335]

Originally Posted by sg335

The above listing does not list a 18x8.5. I believe the 18x9 with a 41mm offset will not clear the strut tube without a spacer.

You are right..must be an 18X9...and that may not fit...but why do they say they have 335i fitment then?

[sg335]

I guess they are referring to the 17x8.5. The 41mm offset will require at least a 3mm spacer to work. 5mm may be OK but a 10mm spacer will interfere with the outer fender lip according to my test fitment calculations.