Stock 1986 316 steel wheel query

[60six]

Hi - New user, and e30 daily driver for a couple of years.

One of the best older cars I have owned for daily driving - Can't fault it in any way, no computers on board, Carburettor and an auto.

I want to make some subtle modifications without visually changing too much. I don't want it lowered as I love the ride as it is, but the stock steels have 175x70x14 tyres which are quite expensive. Can I fit 185x70x14 tyres on the stock wheels I have? Picture below.



Will 185's look 'wrong'? Not sure of the width of the wheels but I would rather keep them than add alloys.

I have already added the weber 36/34 carb and changed the stock air filter for a faster flowing one which definintely added a bit more oomph.

My dream would be to get m3 running gear/engine and keep the car as it looks but that dream is quite a long way off at the
moment!

Also, are rear wheel arches still available? My nearside rear arch is on it's way out.

Your help in this is greatly appreciated - Thanks.

[daimlerman]

Tyres should be 195/65 14.

Rear arches are available as pattern parts,Hadrian Panels from memory.
Complete rear wings will probably be availabe to order from your BMW dealer,but be seated when asking;'HOW much?'

Great looking motor,BTW!

And welcome!

[60six]

Thanks very much ! Due to this car being a base model (wind up windows, manual choke, no central locking) a 65 profile tyre would look odd, and increase the wheel arch gap. Is that size what was fitted at factory?

Sorry to query, I just want to make sure before I buy four new tyres.

Will get myself the arch, and glad that BMW still can still supply a rear wing if needed.

[daimlerman]

I'm no expert on tyre size combinations,but all the 14'' wheels that have passed through my hands have had 195/65 section tyres fitted to them.
At a guess,your 185/70 will have a similar rolling radius.

TBO,most zoner's seem to fit a 15'' wheel,using 205/55 tyres.This does improve the road-holding somewhat,at little cost to ride comfort.

[Grrrmachine]

I run 185/65R14 tyres on my winter steels with no issues whatsoever.

Remember that the profile is a percentage of tyre width, so by going from 175 to 185mm you're increasing your sidewall by 6.5mm. If you drop your sidewall from 70% to 65% to compensate, then it'll only be 3mm bigger than the 175/70R14s you currently have fitted. If you can see that difference you must have eyes like a hawk.

[gooner1]

60six.

Running the same set up as yourself atm.
However as much as I like the steelies, the previous owner posted the pic below of it on 15" BBS.
I have to admit, it does look better, imo




Steelies, admitedley with cut rear springs, which I have now replaced.

[60six]

Nice - Same colour too - As much as lowering it would look good - Apparently the sump on these sits low and I know what my luck is like!

Going to buy some 185/195 70 14's on those steelies and see how it goes.

Thanks for the help people

[jonny323i]

According to the bmw launch brochure the 175/70/14 were fitted to the 316/318 the 320 and323 had 195/60/14 on steels

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/imag ... chures.jpg

[Grrrmachine]

Going to buy some 185/195 70 14's on those steelies and see how it goes.

A 195/70R14 is nearly 5% oversized for your car, and will severely bugger up your speedo. On a gutless carb 316 it won't do your acceleration any favours either.

If you widen the tyre, drop the profile to compensate.