Wheels/tyres best size for handling

[Cotty]

Not sure if this is the best place to post this.

I am currently running original 15 inch cross spokes but would like to change them as they are a pain in the bum to clean and prefer the straight spoke design of the Alpina and Hartge wheels.

Anyway I dont just want to change them for the looks but for handling, so what is the best size wheel & tyre combination for handling. This will be for regular/fast road use on a 325i touring

[billgatese30]

most people say that 15" crosspokes or 16"alpina or hartge are the best for handeling, but most will say the xspokes that you have already got

[Lordschleife]

Yep! them are the options

Gotta agree the BBS x-spoke are a bitch to clean - I use an old paintbrush these days

[Demlotcrew]

the 15" BBS on the IS you should use 195 on the front and 205 on the rear.

[Cotty]

most people say that 15" crosspokes or 16"alpina or hartge are the best for handeling, but most will say the xspokes that you have already got

So your saying the extra inch doesnt really matter. In which case if I chage I might as well go for 16" because I thing they look better than 15's but handle better than 17's. I think thats right

[Lordschleife]

the 15" BBS on the IS you should use 195 on the front and 205 on the rear.

Why's that then? I have 205 all round

[billgatese30]

most people say that 15" crosspokes or 16"alpina or hartge are the best for handeling, but most will say the xspokes that you have already got

So your saying the extra inch doesnt really matter. In which case if I chage I might as well go for 16" because I thing they look better than 15's but handle better than 17's. I think thats right

well, it is strongly opinionated about 15"being best, however i have never made this comparison myself but the alpina/hartge rims were made for more than just good looks(although the true alpina/hartge cars also had different suspension) they also desinged them with handeling in mind. also the 16"hartge and alpina alloys are very light compared to 17"alpina reps(much better material/design/smaller etc) so this makes a huge difference over handleing too. also the profile of the tire makes a difference. the smaller the sidewall the less "give" it has and can therefor slide quicker, however this is not always the case(look at circuit racing cars). i know that i'm only throwing the cat among the pigeons but i hope this helps you.

[Kedge]

Been meaning to ask a similar question for a while. Currently i've still got 14" crosspokes. I'm considering new wheels but can't make my mind up 15" for practicality and comfort or 16" for looks.

I noticed a big difference in moving from 14" GTi wheels to my 15" TSW's on my Mk1 Golf, a lot harder(lower profile), less roll and better grip(due to being wider i presume).

How much affect does width have on handling?

[Demlotcrew]

the 15" BBS on the IS you should use 195 on the front and 205 on the rear.

Why's that then? I have 205 all round

Lighter, better steering feedback, better steering responce, the same level of grip, less tram lining. But the 195's are more expencive and harder to source than the 205's.

Andrew

[Jhonno]

the smaller the sidewall the less "give" it has and can therefor slide quicker, however this is not always the case(look at circuit racing cars). i know that i'm only throwing the cat among the pigeons but i hope this helps you.

er actually a higher sidewall slides quicker as it flexes more.. the smaller the sidewall the higher the limit but the quicker it snaps once you cross the limit..

[randomdave325]

16's are the best size for the e30. according to hartge and bmw (e30 m3)
a good cheaper way is use 205/50-15's instead of 205/55-15's on your bbs. makes loads of difference. i can't use 55's now as it feels well boaty!

[Karan]

yeh 55s feel ver very boaty after 50s although i occasionally use 55s on the rear

|Karan

[Demlotcrew]

16's are the best size for the e30. according to hartge and bmw (e30 m3)
a good cheaper way is use 205/50-15's instead of 205/55-15's on your bbs. makes loads of difference. i can't use 55's now as it feels well boaty!

Its not just the size of the diameter that makes the Hartge wheels good.
If you buy a cheap 16" wheel it will not performe like a 16" Hartge is my point.

[SCOTT325SE]

ive had 15s, 16s and 17s on my cars and i must be honest, i prefer the 15s for outright comfort (even with 50 profiles) the 16s were cheap alloys and felt similar to the 50profiled 15" alloys. alpina 17" replicas do look very nice, but unless you are on a race track, where the surface is much more even, they are a waste of time for handling! on smooth roads, they rock the house down, but on uneven roads, they are sh1t!

[Simon13]

16's are the best comprimise to be honest. The difference in the real world betwwen 15's and 16's is about as big as my cock, not much. If you go 16's there are very few good wheels out there, though hartge, alpina and bbs split's spring to mind. Of course you can go for monkey metal 16's made in china with lead, but very few firms make 16's. It seems most only offer 15's and 17's. All good 16's are rocking horse poo and buckle easily so beware when buying!

[Kedge]

What about borbet, they should be pretty decent shouldn't they? I'm thinking 16"x9".

[Simon13]

will look good, but just because they are wide does not mean they are better. All tyres wide and thin in width never have more than a palms width of your hand on the road at any moment. Also something to consider, is in the wet wider wider tyres tend to ride over the water instead of dispersing it either side.

They would look bloody marvelous though go for it! As far as i know you can't get an 8 inch alpina rim to fit on the front. But i know the borbets should ok mate. I dunno why tho!

[Davenotouring]

The difference in the real world betwwen 15's and 16's is about as big as my cock, not much.

Simon, you legend! That was awesome!

My car handles fine lowered 40mm (springs only!) and on 17's.

I'm sure there are far better handling e30's out there, but mine handles well and is controllable on the limit.

Not saying by any means my setup is the best, but it works for me.

[Kedge]

More sensible and economical 16"x7.5" on the front, or all round, or i could just go for 15"

[Davenotouring]

Tyres are more expensive on 16's than 15's, by quite a bit in some cases.

I'd stick with 15" BBS X-Spokes and lower your car and it will handle and look sweet!

Obviously, the choice is yours!

[Jhonno]

16" tyres arent that expensive from Camskill..

Im tempted to get some 16's as Hartage/Alpina used em for a reason..

[Demlotcrew]

Bigger brakes for the front.

Andrew

[SCOTT325SE]

The difference in the real world betwwen 15's and 16's is about as big as my cock, not much.

Admin, give this man a gold star! fcuking quality! And as dave rightly said, "YOU LEGEND!!!"

[Davenotouring]

Can't believe no-one else picked up on that classic.

Perfectly my type of humour.

Well done that man.

Simon deserves extra 'points' under this new scheme!!

[Kedge]

Definately keeping it the same height, that's about the only thing i am decided on.

[Simon13]

Thanks guys! Goodyear F1's for 15 bbs are about Ԛ£60 a corner Demlot? for 16's they are about Ԛ£100. I would stick to no more than 7.5 inch wide on the back as your 318is does not have the power to benifit from wide wheels on the back. (NO OFFENCE!)

As Dave said stick the 15 BBS or 16 Alpina's, H&R cup kit and a 3.91 slipper and that will be one awsome handling 318is

[Davenotouring]

318is does not have the power to benifit from wide wheels on the back. (NO OFFENCE!)

How come you never say no offence when taking the P155 out of 320's?!

[Simon13]

I'm not going to comment on 320's again! I've had a 318is so i can take the piss! Kedge my 318is lost alot of acceleration when i put my 16x8 alpina's on it! But was better top end cruising though

[Davenotouring]

I'm only playing mate, as you know!

The handling will benefit with a lowered and uprated suspension kit.

I know you said you want to retain the ride height, but it's worth thinking about?

[Jhonno]

why not use the m-tech springs with some koni dampers then

the m-tech springs are decent, just get the koni dampers and some bigger roll bars = sorted

[Kedge]

Another 4pot Vs. 6pot, have we!


Was planning on keeping it as standard as possible so everthing can de easily reversed when i come to sell it.

But i can often be easily persuaded into these kinda things, how much is a H&R cup for one of these?

I staying away from pinas as they are a little common(obviously not genuine ones), so either 15" BBS or Borbet i reckon, just can't get the borbet's out of my head they may not be best for handling but i love the styling and i'll be keeping my 14"' anyways so i can swap styles now and then.

[Demlotcrew]

why not use the m-tech springs with some koni dampers then

the m-tech springs are decent, just get the koni dampers and some bigger roll bars = sorted

Koni dampers are wank thats why.

[Jhonno]

i've used them on 3 outta 5 cars so far n loved em everytime..

whats so bad bout them then?

[Demlotcrew]

Poor build quality and design, plus high speed stability is rather poor. (rebound only settings)

This is of course a comparison to Bilstein

[Simon13]

H&R cup kit can be had for about Ԛ£350 i think go for the borbet's then.
I was just stating facts!