question for guys running 18's

[LostCause]

Hey guys, i recently sold my contours, and pickedup a set of 18x8 et35 wheels. I was wondering what wheel size you guys are running with 18's. I was thinking 225/35/18 would be a good size, around the same size as the 225/40/17s i was running before. Do any of you have pictures with 18's on your car? Lowered? Thanks!

[BMW_Hatchback]

I hardly think you will have an easy time fitting those. I'm not a big fan of 18s on E36s

[LostCause]

Oh i know i can fit them. Just looking for info on tire sizes. Ive seen people with 19's on e36's but they are too big for me. I just wanted more rim them my contours could give!

[zoner]

Originally Posted by BMW_Hatchback

I hardly think you will have an easy time fitting those. I'm not a big fan of 18s on E36s

+1 (speaking from first-hand experience).

Additionally, if you're considering running a 35 series tire, understand that there is pretty much zero sidewall to absorb things like potholes, cracks in the pavement, uneven road surfaces, etc.

That said, there are a few people here that run 18"'s- I'm sure one or more of them will chime in soon.

[BMW_Hatchback]

Originally Posted by LostCause

Oh i know i can fit them. Just looking for info on tire sizes. Ive seen people with 19's on e36's but they are too big for me. I just wanted more rim them my contours could give!

I mean 18x8 and a mid to low offset like et35 is kind of off putting when it comes to easy fitment. It'll be aggressive, but if you want to achieve any sort of "low" things will get complicated. I don't mind 18s at all, given a neat choice of wheels. I would never put 19s on an E36, or any BMW other than a 7 series, if that.

cheers

I'd vote 225/40/18 without a roll.

[spidertri]

Why would it be hard to fit these wheels? They aren't overly wide and the offset is aggressive but appropriate. Sounds like the OP understands the implications of running larger wheels. Just pull up a tire calc to make sure the diameters aren't too far off of stock.

There are probably some pictures of 18s on tis in the wheels on cars thread.

[LostCause]

Well, i'm lowered in pss9 bilstein suspension system, i was just wondering what some of the lowered ti's looked like with 40 vs. 35 series tires. My first set came in and i got 235's and they were just a tad to wide for me. I was looking in the thread, but alot of people dont mention tire size or offest. thanks!

[BMW_Hatchback]

Originally Posted by spidertri

Why would it be hard to fit these wheels? They aren't overly wide and the offset is aggressive but appropriate. Sounds like the OP understands the implications of running larger wheels. Just pull up a tire calc to make sure the diameters aren't too far off of stock.

There are probably some pictures of 18s on tis in the wheels on cars thread.

I wasn't saying it was going to be impossible, or ugly, just may not be as easy as plug and play as the OP might think, especially lowered on coils

My brother used to have these 18s on his M3, I tried them on one day, I couldn't turn LOL 18x8.5 et35


I would get a fender roller for the rears and get the calculator out

[zoner]

I don't think offset or rim width is the issue- it's the diameter of the wheel. I just don't think these cars were engineered to run 18"+ wheels, regardless of the tire or the overall diameter.

There was a noticeable difference for the better in ride, handling, and acceleration when I went from 18" --> 17". Conservation of angular momentum... (for all you physics geeks).

[BMW_Hatchback]

Originally Posted by zoner

I don't think offset or rim width is the issue- it's the diameter of the wheel. I just don't think these cars were engineered to run 18"+ wheels, regardless of the tire or the overall diameter.

There was a noticeable difference for the better in ride, handling, and acceleration when I went from 18" --> 17". Conservation of angular momentum... (for all you physics geeks).

rideability certainly took a huge hit when I tried those wheels on, amungs other things. To each his own though

[LostCause]

My car already rides like a hay wagon, its a 97 bmw slammed on pss9 dual coilovers. Its not going to ride like a caddy. Untill i get the s52 swapped in, its no race car, so for the mean time its form over funtion. Thanks for the info so far guys. hatch, do you know what series tires were on those wheels?

[tiFreak]

I'm a little late but I'm running a 225/40R18 on mine with H&R race springs, no rubbing issues at all

[bmorekirby]

personally, im going to be getting somes 17's soon. i have 18's currently. i have 225/40r18 with 38et. i have koni's all around and h&r sport springs. no rubbing issues what so ever, but they make my ti ride like a truck.

~john

[Crashaddict]

*im stretching my fenders and running spacers* 265/35/18 in back & 225/40/18 up front......we'll see

[BimmerBum]

Originally Posted by Crashaddict

*im stretching my fenders and running spacers* 265/35/18 in back & 225/40/18 up front......we'll see

Look for something wider up front... that's a recipe for massive understeer.