Ideal wheel fitment for a fast road/track car.

[hotrodrick]

I was curious to what people would think when it comes to the optimal wheel on an e30. My car has an m52 so plenty of powers and will be a daily car with the occasional track day.
Its currently on 16x9 et15 all round. Looks pimp but dont feel quite right on the twisty bits.
All advice much appreciated

[zaust]

15 or a 16. it will come down to the style of tyre that suits your driving over all else.

[Brianmoooore]

Standard 15" BBS will take some beating - both light and strong.

[ETERNITY]

Standard 15" BBS will take some beating - both light and strong.

defo

[hazd31]

I would aggree, on road tyres big 16s will make the car feel dead and knumb..

Since been running 14s with a 185/60 tyre of various choices, car is much more lively, i think the 15 would be a good compromise! And you get a much better selection of tyre!

[bss325i]

I would aggree, on road tyres big 16s will make the car feel dead and knumb..

When you say big 16's do you mean wide? If so how wide?

[hazd31]

I mean retardedly low profile tyres, 205 40s on a 7,5j rim.

[bss325i]

Well the low profile of a 205/40 weather its on a 16" or 17" will give a sharper feel and not a "dead and numb" feel due to less flex of the side wall but will sacrifice ride comfort.

The correct size for a 16x7.5 rim on an E30 is 205/50R16 for the record.

A 205/50 has the best balance or ride and handling.

[kilrone]

so what size are the tyres the rims are wide enough for serious rubber

[hotrodrick]

Yeah but the arches are not! Its running 205/45/16 with silly stretch for em to fit, and the rears still rub. These wheels are going up for sale if anybody is interested and im after a set of original 15" bbs.

[kilrone]

i am running 215/35/18 and the car is rock solid i also have an e36 rack to improve the steering. the car does not like bad roads but if you are going to do track days i would recommend it my wheels are 7.5 wide i have no rubbing. i also do not have that silly stretched look

[hotrodrick]

Each to there own but personally i think 18s are way to big for an e30. Think im going to go back to the original 15 bbs rims. Want to make it look as original as possible.

[bss325i]

I have 16x7 wheels with 205/50R16 tyres on the front, 16x8 wheels with 225/45R16 tyres on the rear, car is lowered 35mm and does not catch at all front or back.

[Andy325i]

Off topic, are 15" BBS 7J or 7.5?

[bss325i]

Off topic, are 15" BBS 7J or 7.5?

BMW e30 15"BBS are 7J.

[Andy325i]

Thankyou Barry

[redcar]

Just to help you,
A stanced 195 stretched onto an 8j rim et 25 with 25mm spacer rubs on the rear when lowered about 80mm. I found that when lowered to 60mm the rubbing stopped. Is a 15" wheel btw. Hope that helps.

I think the standard e30 bbs looks awesome and e30s look best on 15s.

[miniblob]

15" or 16" for me!!! (Ooo err missus!!!!!)

16" Schnitzers are good on track, but give a noticeably worse ride on average roads, than the normal 15" BBS with 205/55/15's!!!!
I'm not bothered about the ride though, so the schnitzers are due back on in the next week or two!!!