Re: <E30> what size wheels and tires can I fit on my 1986 325 (e)???

[Randy Walters <RandyWal@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Rod Birch <HOTROD930@domain.elided> Writes:

>Hi all,
>I'm finally in a position to toss my 14" bottlecaps and 205/60 tires.  I
>want to go with some 16" wheels, and I think I've read that 7.5" width w=
ill
>fit my car, and perhaps 225/50 series tires?  I have lowered my car with
>Eibach springs 1.3" all around, if that makes a difference.  Will this s=
ize
>tire keep my speedo accurate, since the original tires were something li=
ke
>185/60 x 14" tires?  It seems like the speedo reads about 5 mph "high" n=
ow
>with the 205/60's.  If I can/have to roll fender lips, that's okay, but =
I'd
>prefer a good fit without any rubbing...  Any input would be appreciated=
!
>TIA
>Rod Birch

 It seems a 16x7 fits well,  but a 7=BD" rim may rub the fenders on a
lowered 325 E30.   7" rims are almost flush at the front and i'm pretty=20
sure a 7=BD" would stick out.  There's some excellent pics showing severa=
l=20
angles of a nice 325is for sale that's sitting on 16x7 BBSs and H&R=20
Sport Springs (which supposedly lower the car 1.3") and you can get a=20
good idea of how the tire looks in relation to the fender openings.  Ther=
e=20
is no mention of the tire size however which would have been helpful, =20
but the 16x7's look perfect.  It's at:  http://jvanhout.home.netcom.com/

 A 205/50-16 or 225/45-16 size maintains the same rolling diameter
as the stock E30 325is and E30 M3 tire sizes and are the best choice.  =20
A 215/45-16 is a little shorter (more like the 325/e 's 195/60-14 size)=20
if you wanted a lower profile,  but i'd go for one of the first two.  =20

 A 225/50-16 would be over an inch too tall for an E30 and will not only
make your speedo read slower than your actual road speed,  it'll also
hurt accelleration.   I wouldn't use this size on an E30 of any sort, but
there are folks out there who'd rather fill the fender opening than
maintain the correct diameter for the car.   =20

 Randy
 89 325is
 205/55-15 on 15x7's

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