Wheels: Size, Width and modifications?

[BruinX97]

Hi,
I was considering upgrading my wheels to either 18"s or 19"s. I want to go with 255s in the back, but it seems that I can't find many aftermarket wheels that offer 18X8.5 (Back) and 18X8 (Front) wheels. They are either 8 or 8.5 in depth. Is anyone running with 255s on 8 in. deep wheels? Or with 225 on an 8.5 in the front? If so, did you need to modify the wells or have you run into problems?
With the 19"s, I'm not sure if I can fit 19" without modifications to the wells. Is anyone out there running 19"s without modifications? And have you experienced any problems?

Thanks in advance for any info, help, stories & experiences.

[fcotanis]

When you swap up to 18 or 19 the total wheel diameter (rim+tire) stays the same. So 19 won't be a problem with the properly matched tire.
I wouldn't want to be you when a pothole is close by though.

I think 19s look really really nice on the E46 but it's quite unfortunate that at that size you lose performance, ride quality and the chance of bending them is really high.

I'd say if you have to and want it really bad - find a very good resistant rim in an 18 and stick with it. I'd suggest BBS or BMW OEMs. Don't put an iffie rim on - it will bend on tougher potholes. I've even heard of BMW OEM 18s that were bent over potholes.

Good luck,
Filip

[apar328i]

You might check out the BBS RX here:
http://www.renn-sport.net/BMW/bmw_wheels.htm

They are listed as having an 18x8 and an 18x8.5. Unless this is a typo these would give you the staggered set up you might be looking for. You could run the same set up as the OEM 18" package. 225/40/18 up front and 255/35/18 in the rear. The wheels are not to expensive, $315 ea, and look pretty nice.

I have a suspicion that the info is incorrect because it seems like most other wheel companies don't offer an 8" and an 8.5" width for an 18" wheel. I don't know....check it out.