How low to go?

[BillyWiz]

Hi guys, i have a 318i which i will be fitting with 17" BK171 Alpina reps. Im aware the car will ride high on these wheels as standard. My question is how much to lower the car by while keeping it practical?

The tyres will be 205/40/17, am i likely to have any issues with this setup?

Please do not comment on the wheels, my question is just about suspension and fitment of the wheels.

Im looking for a practical car that looks good without eating tyres.

If anyone has any pictures of their own car with the same setup id love to see.

Cheers

[jimthejunior]

Put it on the bumpstops

[snoops]

the car will actually ride about 10mm lower with them tyres as they are 10mm lower than the original rolling radius, the tyres to use are 215/40/17

I'd go with 60/40, have a look at e30_aza's car in the photo gallery he has this set up with the same wheels

[Steve-E30]

Whats the standard size tyre ??
185/65/14
You now have ...
205/40/17
Same rollong circumfrence
http://www.tyresave.co.uk/tyresize.html
40/40 is a subtle drop and most go for 60/40 .

[stevotheevo]

you say you want a car thats practical and looks good, if thats the case why are you fitting 17" BK's to it.

your causing a problem before you start.

[snoops]

Whats the standard size tyre ??
185/65/14
You now have ...
205/40/17
Same rollong circumfrence
http://www.tyresave.co.uk/tyresize.html
40/40 is a subtle drop and most go for 60/40 .

I thought 205/55/15 is the original with 606.5mm rolling diameter

[BillyWiz]

the car will actually ride about 10mm lower with them tyres as they are 10mm lower than the original rolling radius, the tyres to use are 215/40/17

I'd go with 60/40, have a look at e30_aza's car in the photo gallery he has this set up with the same wheels

Thanks Snoops, I'll take a look at the car you mentioned. Unfortunately i have no choice in the tyres, 205/40/17's are the way they come. I wouldn't have a clue of the rolling radius but visually the car looks higher on the 17's than the original wheels so I'm guessing they must have a slightly larger rolling radius or perhaps the tyres create that illusion. Are there any members in the Nottingham area that might be able to give me a few pointers on my project? I Have tons to do! My M-Tec 2 body kit needs paint and fitting, then of course there's the lowering, it would be nice to know of someone local that's undertaken this kind of project before. Thanks mate

[BillyWiz]

Whats the standard size tyre ??
185/65/14
You now have ...
205/40/17
Same rollong circumfrence
http://www.tyresave.co.uk/tyresize.html
40/40 is a subtle drop and most go for 60/40 .

Close enough Steve, as standard they're 195/65/14