Rims for my BMW??? Help, suggestions

[jmcdolej]

I just got a 2000 328i Black. I am going to put some new rims and tires on it. Any suggestions. I want to go at least 18s, but does anyone know what is best 18,19,or even 20s? Then style wise should I go for gloss black with a chrome lip or just chrome? Any suggestions would be great. Thanks

[getfast37]

Sweet car! But please keep in mind that putting anything much heavier and/or bigger than stock on a BMW will wear out suspension & steering parts, wheelbearings, and brakes more quickly than normal (particularly the front lower control arms/balljoints/bushings.) They will also make the car slower than stock, and make it handle worse than stock.

Having said that... http://www.tirerack.com has plenty of choices.

Good luck,

Jon

[Tony_Dize]

Originally Posted by jmcdolej

I just got a 2000 328i Black. I am going to put some new rims and tires on it. Any suggestions. I want to go at least 18s, but does anyone know what is best 18,19,or even 20s? Then style wise should I go for gloss black with a chrome lip or just chrome? Any suggestions would be great. Thanks

Hey man i'm havin the same problem. I'm going with some M3 or M6 to keep it Bmw, If i can't get some of those ima go with some 19 inch five spoke dark gunmetal with the machined lip.

I understand about the whole thing about being slower and not handling as good. But i'm not going to race with mine. I want it to look good, plus is an automatic.

The thing with 20's and maybe even 19's is the ride comfort. I would say it's gonna feel a little rough

[mike@af]

I'd stick to 18's, and polished lip. Chrome in my opinion does not belong on BMW.

[CassiesMan]

Originally Posted by getfast37

They will also make the car slower than stock, and make it handle worse than stock.

Unless, of course, you buy a nice set of light weight wheels that are properly sized and shod with the right tires. Light weight wheels=less unsprung weight and rotating mass, plus the right tires will make the one of the biggest differences in handling and speed.

I would recomend going with HRE or BBS style wheels if you wanna go aftermarket, I think they look the best. Bavauto also has a great selection of wheels for your car. The key is to find the proper size/offset/lug pattern, etc. There is some ass up here with an E36 318i with 19in E46 M wheels on it. Looks like shit.

I would recomend a nice set of M Double Spoke (Style 68) if you want to stay with OEM wheels. They are only 17 inches all around, but in all honesty, I wouldn't want to go to much bigger. Even 19s, IMHO, aren't needed.

Tirerack is good to get an idea of what aftermarket wheels are available, and how they would look on your car if they still have that little interface that lets you mess around with that.

[getfast37]

+1 to all that. Just going from the heavy stock DSII's to the 16-pound 17x8.5" Kosei K1's on my E36 was noticeable (car felt quicker across the board & had better steering response - although to be fair, the steering feel was mostly from the RA1's.) Anything much bigger or heavier would do the opposite... and would hurt gas mileage too.

I have bought probably 6 sets of wheels from Tire Rack over the years, and at least twice that many sets of tires, without a single fitment or product quality problem. These K1's are from there, and they're actually hubcentric (no plastic centering rings required, yay... they melt.) I highly recommend the place!

PS- there is an E46 M3 around here on 20's. Also looks like shit IMHO. But it's convertible and automatic, so... not really an M3 anyway.

Jon

[KamilMk]

Don't go any bigger than 18" on the Bimmer, and please don't get all chrome rims... Just don't do it.

As to what, I think some delicate black rims, with chrome lip would work... Don't go crazy and put some foolish style rims on it.
If you know what looks good, then you will know the rim for your car once you see it...

[Tony_Dize]

I always thought a clean five spoke design looks good on a bimmer, if in doubt go with BBS, or BBS looking like, can't go wrong with those. Black with chrome lip, or dark gunmetal

[KamilMk]

Originally Posted by Tony_Dize

I always thought a clean five spoke design looks good on a bimmer, if in doubt go with BBS, or BBS looking like, can't go wrong with those. Black with chrome lip, or dark gunmetal

OZ' would work too... Because if you look at BBS, might as well look at OZ...

[porscheguy9999]

Originally Posted by GTmike400

I'd stick to 18's, and polished lip. Chrome in my opinion does not belong on BMW.

Black painted or non-chrome wheels are the only way to go on BMWs for sure. Plus chrome is overdone these days anyways. If it were a Jeep like both of mine, chrome is the only way to go. But BMWs and chrome should be like the Capulets and the Montagues.. mortal enemies.

[jmcdolej]

thanks for all the help, I still have not decided because now my power steering went out. That might just cost me my rims.