What size wheels for best handling?

[Conrad]

easy guys

I've just picked up my 318is, and it's running on 14" BBS cross spokes, with budget nankang rubber.

I've been advised to put 15" BBS cross spokes on instead. Is this the optimum wheel for the money as far as handling is concerned?

Also, are Pirelli P600 tyres any good?

Are BMW centrecaps interhchangable between the 14's and 15's?

Cheers,

Con

[Omi]

15"s handle well, with just the right tyre flex for an old school feel.

16"s are better looking and tauten up the ride.

Pirellis are ok.

Caps aren't interchangeable.

[Conrad]

Cheers for the info mate. think I'll upgrade to 15" wheels, I like a little tyre flex so I know when it's gonna give rather than have the arse end come flying out without warning.


Con

[snoops]

go for the 15" perfect weigt/size/balance

[Templ8e30]

Avoid those wankang tyres too, hedge finders.

Goodyear eagle f1's are sh!t hot, pirelli's aren't that good for the money.

I use Falken ZE512's in 205/55/15, good grip wet and dry and last fairly long too for a mid range tyre.

Cheers,

Iain T

[BadDave]

I use Falken ZE512's in 205/55/15, good grip wet and dry and last fairly long too for a mid range tyre.

Cheers,

Iain T

I use the same Falkens as well in 225/40/16
As the man says good in the wet and dry.

[kevin316i]

15" wheels are the best size for handling and comfort. Bridgestone are good tyres, got a set of Firestones this time round and they seem fine too.

[Sharabi]

depends on usage to be fair.
15 inch rims were std on the 318is. so the best overall.
16's nice, bigger rims look slightly better, little performace drop.
17's look better, but obviously you sacrifice some performace for looks. (have these fitted to the iS i co- own, these are the daily rims, have a set of 15's for trackday use.)

[orangecurry]

what is also very important to handling/performance is the weight of the wheel/tyre - original BMW BBS 15" are very light (and strong). I would recommend holding out for these, and not the BBS copies; look for the markings in the photo below.
At the other end of the scale are the 17" alpina copies - very heavy, and this is not due just to the extra 2 inches.

I have many many wheels , and to give you an idea, BMW-stamped-BBS 15" are about 7.5kg in weight. I have a set of proper OZ racing wheels for another car in 17", and they too are 7.5kgs, whereas some 17" speedlines I have (for the same car) weigh 10kgs each - you get what you pay for.

[pnd]

15 BBS can't be beat for all round use P600's are ok but Bridgestone potenzas toyos and eagle F1's are far superior.

[Jon_Bmw]

I don't think you would go far wrong with some original BBS wheels as orangecurry has said, then wrap them in eagle f1 but with 205/50r15

Should offer you the best of everything really.

[hass]

get your self a set of 15" bbs (prefubly rs splitrims)

205 50 15 are a bit chubby thats what ive got on my touring with a set of rs's (see my photos on the photo gallery)

and trust me for handling and comfort go for the 50's 55'5 are a bit tooo chubby

[Morat]

I thought that 14" BBS were standard on the iS?
15" would be good tho

I use 55s. They ARE a bit chubby by modern standards but on the crappy country roads near me I'm glad of them.

[Morat]

Has, your avatar picture is massive and is breaking the page....

[Conrad]

I thought that 14" BBS were standard on the iS?
15" would be good tho

I use 55s. They ARE a bit chubby by modern standards but on the crappy country roads near me I'm glad of them.

14" steels were standard on an IS.

Cheers,

Con