E30 Zone

Front tyres were a bit worn so had a scout on eBay over the weekend and got some new alloys instead with tyres!
They didn't specify offset etc but came off an E34 so I had my fingers crossed and they were a true bargain. They look like new (refurbed 6 months ago) and fitted a dream until I came to the front. see pics;








Now, they are currently fitted with 235 / 45 / 17's.
from the pictures does it look like a tweak here and there will sort that out? was thinking 225 / 40's ??

Any ideas?

plus do you think a tyre garage would let me try one on for size??

thanks!

Just checked a tyre size calculator and a change from 235 / 45 / 17's to 225 / 40 / 17's would be a 31mm difference in diameter, should do the trick?

Good luck finding a 225 tyre! 215 or 235 is the only option, you need a smaller profile. I run 235/40's all round as do most of us with 5 series wheels.

M3Jim wrote:Good luck finding a 225 tyre!

why ??? continental sell the, in the size

Are you sure?? I spent bloody ages trying to find some when i bought my wheels years ago.

I'm sure you can't get them in 225/40/17 which is what you need.

M3Jim wrote:Are you sure?? I spent bloody ages trying to find some when i bought my wheels years ago.

I'm sure you can't get them in 225/40/17 which is what you need.

pretty sure i have seen them by BRIDGESTONE and continental

will try and find a link,225/45 is easier to get

so even a 235 40 will be good?
I just don't want to shell out for some and them not fit! especially if I am going to order online...

thanks!

You will never find 225 40 17!!
You can try 225 35 17 but little harsh. Go for a stretch with 215 on the front and put 235 on the back with 40 profile. 225 40 is the perfect size so you will need to compromise somewhere.

Go and see Dezzy, he's near you at Preston Farm, he'll see you right.

hmmmmm, very true! wonder what time he's open till, i'm working in Leeds tomorrow and want it all sorted before the big north east meet on Tuesday night!
google here i come...

Use 215 45, or 215 45 and they'll fit fine, 235 45 is the normal e34 size and they're far too big for an e30.

SDM wrote:hmmmmm, very true! wonder what time he's open till, i'm working in Leeds tomorrow and want it all sorted before the big north east meet on Tuesday night!
google here i come...

what meet is this ?

magpie wrote:

SDM wrote:hmmmmm, very true! wonder what time he's open till, i'm working in Leeds tomorrow and want it all sorted before the big north east meet on Tuesday night!
google here i come...

what meet is this ?

Can't find it in the meet section actually, but, it is advertised on bmwowner.com (e36coupe) and a few other forums, meant to be a big meet first Tuesday of every month.

Here you go, plenty 225's here.

But no 40 profile.

http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?plid=m54b0s0p0

Rav335uk wrote:Here you go, plenty 225's here.

But no 40 profile.

http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?plid=m54b0s0p0

The 40 profile is the key here though, that's what is causing me my pain!

Anyway, the friendly zoner Dezzy is going to get me some prices tomorrow for some 215's (playing it safe) to fit tomorrow night, ready for the meet!

Magpie - I've put a post up in the meet section!!

I'd personally go for 215/40/17

changing the bushes to the eccentric ones will also help with clearance

215/40's will be fine.

i take it they are are an 8.5J ?

I can't comment on m3's as I don't have a spare $50,000NZD sitting around, but my regular old, run of the mill e30 won't take ANYTHING other 40 profile on my 17's, 45 is a huge increase for me, tried it once. I always struggle finding 40 profile tires over here, the 45's or 50's are a dead sight cheaper for some reason. Oddball size I guess. I use 215/40/17s.

^odd ball partworns for an e30 m3......no thanks

ImysE30 wrote:I'd personally go for 215/40/17

Having owned and driven several tens of thousands of miles in an m3 with 17in wheels with various tyre sizes, I preferred how it felt and drove with 215 45. 215 40 were ok, but you'll also need a lower car than on the 45s as low profile tyres and an arch gap just looks wrong.

harry_p wrote:

ImysE30 wrote:I'd personally go for 215/40/17

Having owned and driven several tens of thousands of miles in an m3 with 17in wheels with various tyre sizes, I preferred how it felt and drove with 215 45. 215 40 were ok, but you'll also need a lower car than on the 45s as low profile tyres and an arch gap just looks wrong.

that's intresting harry. Do you have any pics with the 45 profile and also did you get any rubbing issues? Was that on a standard ride height?

I'll find a decent pic tonight when I'm home. Tyre was close to the bulkhead on full lock, but didn't touch. Car lowered slightly on eibach springs. Eccentric lower arm bushes would have helped move the wheel away from the bulkhead a bit more.

All the 17s I've used have been 8x 17 et 20 e34 wheels.

Kos wrote:changing the bushes to the eccentric ones will also help with clearance

215/40's will be fine.

i take it they are are an 8.5J ?

This.

Your bushes are screwed.

Rich_W wrote:

Kos wrote:changing the bushes to the eccentric ones will also help with clearance

215/40's will be fine.

i take it they are are an 8.5J ?

This.

Your bushes are screwed.

I thought M3's had eccentric bushes fitted as standard?

Not the very first ones.

The wheel seems so set back that I'm tempted to say the bushes might be fitted the other way round.

harry_p wrote:I'll find a decent pic tonight when I'm home. Tyre was close to the bulkhead on full lock, but didn't touch. Car lowered slightly on eibach springs. Eccentric lower arm bushes would have helped move the wheel away from the bulkhead a bit more.

All the 17s I've used have been 8x 17 et 20 e34 wheels.

215 45 17 on an 8in wide et20 front, 235 40 17 rear on a 9x17 et22


i'll have to trawl my archives for a better pic

Somethings deffo up with the bushes/wishbones/wheels dude - should be able to fit any kind of 17 with it looking like yours.

that's true, i wonder if the bushes are the wrong way round.

just found this on mine, 235 45 17, 8in et20 wheel, just tried on to see if it would fit and there's some space, yet my wheel still sits further back in the arch than i would expect it too. pretty sure the adjustable excentric polybushes have been set to standard e30 middle position

I have polys up front, how can I check that they are the right way around?

If they are eccentric bushes they should be in this position

Cheers, I won't be able to check mine until the weekend.

SDM wrote:

magpie wrote:

SDM wrote:hmmmmm, very true! wonder what time he's open till, i'm working in Leeds tomorrow and want it all sorted before the big north east meet on Tuesday night!
google here i come...

what meet is this ?

Can't find it in the meet section actually, but, it is advertised on bmwowner.com (e36coupe) and a few other forums, meant to be a big meet first Tuesday of every month.

whereabouts im not a member of either forum?this tuesday as in the 3rd

Tonight at teesside park 7-10pm