BBS Tyre size question

[jimf]

Hi folks, just picked up a set of 15" BBS wheels and the seller threw in a pair of 195/55/15 tyres. I know the standard width should be 205 but is there any harm in putting these on?

Also have the opertunity to pick up a full set of 205/60/15 tyres with good tread for £50. Would the slightly larger sidewall matter much?

Thanks [/list]

[adit]

if you decide against the above Jim, i have a full set, pairs and single correct 205/55s available plus a pair of 205/50s

cheers, Adi

[ImysE30]

No harm in putting them on, will give a slight stretch but nothing too drastic.

60 profile will look too big IMO, 50 or 55 look much better

[jimf]

Ok thanks, I didn't think that 5mm difference would make much difference to the look

[Kos]

There will be no stretch at all with the 195/55's and they will be better than 205/60's

If you want proper tyres I can source excellent continentals in 205/55 with 6mm tread for about £50 a corner

[bss325i]

Are they premium contact or sport contacts Kos?

[Kos]

Mainly premium contact 2

[harry_p]

Ok thanks, I didn't think that 5mm difference would make much difference to the look

It's not 5mm its 5% of the width, so a 205 60 will have 10.25mm taller sidewalls than a 205 55. I'd avoid them as a 205 55 already looks quite balloony on an e30.

The 195 55 will probably be fine, they'll look quite similar to a 205 50 which is a very popular alternative size on slightly lowered e30s, although strictly speaking its not the proper size for the car.

[jimf]

Oh, well I've learnt something new. Thanks for that.

[jimf]

if you decide against the above Jim, i have a full set, pairs and single correct 205/55s available plus a pair of 205/50s

cheers, Adi

As per usual my location can prove expensive to have things like this delivered. Feel free to quote me with prices plus postage to iv30 for a full set, must be brand names (not Pirelli) and minimum 4mm tread, thanks.

[Pud237]

I've got 16" wheels on my E30 - 8J front and 9J rear. I bought it with 215/40/16 tyres on the back and 195/40/16 tyres on the front - they are massively stretched and tbh I don't really like it. I'm refitting factory 325i Sport shocks and springs in place of the coilovers that are currently on it, so my ride height will go up quite a bit. For me this is a good thing as I want a useable car, but I'm going to have to do something about the skinny stretched tyres.

I have a big stack of partworn 225/50/16 and 205/55/16 left over from my last E36 (3.0 S50 engine, 6speed S50B32 box & 40% lockup LSD), will I be able to fit them on the E30? To be honest I know it will look a bit silly, but its got an M52B28 engine & box in it at the moment and a 4.1 or 4.27 rear diff (4k rpm at approx 70mph!) and the taller tyres will do the world of good at bringing the revs down for the same given road speed. But the question is - will they fit? If it matters I have M3 arches. Was thinking 205/55/16 for the front and 225/50/16 on the back, luck has it they are nearly the exact same rolling radius.