How would 19's look on a 323i that isnt lowered?

99323i · 07-07-2001, 04:48 PM

I am thinking about putting a set of 19's on my 99 323i, i dont want to lower the car though, would the wheels look good without a large gap in the wheel wells if the car wasnt lowered?

thanks

matt · 07-07-2001, 06:44 PM

As your wheels get larger, your tire profile gets smaller. This way the whole wheel (wheel & tire) will stay about the same size. If I were you, I would probably want to lower the car at least an inch. It's not like you have an M3 and would be playing with a tuned suspension. You could get some nice lowering springs that would probably enahnce the handling of the car as well.

my95cobras · 07-09-2001, 02:50 PM

i think it would look bad ass because once your wheels get larger there is less BLACK between the wheels and the wheel wells so less of an off-road appearence, just be carful about your wheel width

onemerehuman · 08-06-2001, 06:35 AM

Hell no... it would look like a misproportioned tractor, and handle like said vehicle, try 17s if you don't want to lower it.. but you really should!

ARMAN · 08-08-2001, 06:51 AM

I think you should put it abit lower otherwise it will look abit strange

Try to make a photomontage - take a sidepic of your car and of the wheel then put them together and see.

Chris · 08-27-2001, 11:42 PM

If it isnt lowered, you can make the wheels taller cuz' you wont have to worry about clearance issues as much. Keep them narrow and low profile, so clearance wont be a problem.

I would lower the car a bit, or get a body kit. It would really set off the car.

flylwsi · 09-26-2001, 07:55 PM

whoa... if you go w/ a taller tire, it raises the car. if you put a big ass rim w/tiny sidewalls in the stock wheelwells it looks 4wd.
my lude did. i went from the stock 14s (its an 89) to 16s w/ the same height overall w/ the tires and it looked hella 4wd... gotta lower it... you will once you see it.. .trust me...

Chris · 09-28-2001, 09:13 PM

Pretty narrow wheels and pot-hole fearing low profile would help, but you will need to lower and modify the wheel wells so it wont rub.

Mrcoilover · 11-07-2001, 04:05 PM

I'm sorry but 19's would look phat on the bmw. I don't care what nobody says, put em on. Lower it an inch and you are straight. 18's would look good too.

KatWoman · 11-09-2001, 10:56 AM

Is your '99 an E46 body style...which is my favorite BTW. I would lower the car at least an inch like others have said. One of my personal pet peeves is aftermarket wheels without lowering it a bit. I think 19's would be []D [] []V[] []D

Judge · 11-10-2001, 01:59 AM

<-----------drools
mmmmmmmmmm 19's........
damn, i wish i had money....

Afrosheenix · 12-02-2001, 05:13 PM

This was mentioned awhile back on 3geez and it's a good rule of thumb.

To keep your car from looking like a Jeep when adding newer, larger rims, keep the wheel gap equal to your sidewall height. So if the distance from your rim to the tire is 1 inch, you want a 1 inch gap between the tire and the wheel well. This is a gigantic wheel/tire combo but to make it look right, it's necessary.

Mrcoilover · 12-03-2001, 09:44 AM

I agree and disagree. Yeah when you get any rim, you gotta have a good setup for it to look good, but having certain rules of thumb for wheel well gap is a little much. Pretty much up to personal preference. I like having no gap.

00BmW323i · 10-08-2005, 02:41 PM

The last post was well said. I have a 2000 323i Just purchased springs for it I have 18in lexanis on it now 225/40/18. I plan on selling these very soon. My springs are going to bring the front down 1.4" and the rear .2" I would like to purchase the 19in Alba Bank. for my car. I seen them ona 325I con. Very nice. Attached is a photo of my car. I just purchased clear corner lights for the front, side, and rear.. Also a rear roof wing. and possibly tail lip. I don't know it will be finished in about a month.

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