14 inch BBS's versus 15 inch BBS's.little guy hits back.

Thu Sep 17, 2015 11:22 am

im fortunate enough to have an E30 on 14 inch BBS's and one on 15's. both with decent tyres. i use the 318i on 14's as a daily smoke and also for cross country use, often b and C road blatting in Derbyshire and Yorkshire. i havent noticed a deal of difference in grip on the limits of road use but i have noticed that the ride quality is better. both cars have the m tech sports suspension option. the 4 pot is a little lighter but they both seem to handle pretty well. i used to think the 14's looked too small in the arches , but at the right ride height i think they are a decent retro size. after all fast fords run 13's and 14's, the trens for stock cars has left traders asking daft money for capri 13's , in my day everybody whacked on the biggest wheels possible.
my 318 on 14's actually sits pretty nice..wont be fitting any 15's.

Thu Sep 17, 2015 11:59 pm

Cool. Are 14's significantly lighter or not?

Fri Sep 18, 2015 9:09 am

yes, the 14's are lighter. i assume the 14" wheels were designed for optimum performaance when the E3o was launched and the 15's were added later as fashion changed. Ferrari were running 14" wheels while about 1982.

Fri Sep 18, 2015 10:05 am

i will like 14's when they fetch the same $ as 15's , could be a while that like if ever .

Fri Sep 18, 2015 10:23 am

I found the side wall flexed way too much on my 14's to make the car corner friendly!

Yours being a 4 pot will help corner wise

Fri Sep 18, 2015 11:28 am

didnt the Lamborghini contach run 14's. V12 and 400bhp ?. but i get the side wall flex thing on a six. 318is was signed off with 14's though.

Fri Sep 18, 2015 11:55 am

povertyspec wrote:didnt the Lamborghini contach run 14's. V12 and 400bhp ?. but i get the side wall flex thing on a six. 318is was signed off with 14's though.

yea my 318is cornered alot better with the 14's then my 320i cabby did..like I said I think the 4 pot weight difference helped alot!