I'll admit I didn't do a whole bunch of research, but it was my understanding that if I wanted a decent wheel and tire package for my Fit I'd have to downsize from the 16-inch wheels to 15-inch ones.
I think it's a good look, IMO:
Photography Credit: David S. Wallens
Our E46-chassis BMW M3 came from the factory wearing 18-inch wheels. The European-only CSL package added 19s.
A little while back, we went to 17-inch Apex ARC-8 wheels at all four corners of our M3. Why’s that? Less expensive consumables (i.e., tires) plus, let’s be honest, the 17-inch wheels looks cool.
Did we trade away some ultimate speed when making that decision? Likely yes as we had to step down a tick on footprint. Tires are now 255/40R17 Falken Azenis RT615K+.
But this exercise allowed us to showcase a way to save some money on track.
You can read more about our 17-inch wheels here, but to save you a click, here are our specs: flow-formed, 17x9.5-inch Apex Race Parts ARC-8 wheels at all for corners. The wheels have a 35mm offset, and we’re running 12mm BimmerWorld spacers out back.
The M3 does feel a little lighter on its feet with the 17s and, since it’s a slow news day, we figured it was a good opportunity to share a recent photo.
I'll admit I didn't do a whole bunch of research, but it was my understanding that if I wanted a decent wheel and tire package for my Fit I'd have to downsize from the 16-inch wheels to 15-inch ones.
I think it's a good look, IMO:
Question from another E46 owner looking at the same spec. Is there enough space there to fit 275/40/17? You can get RT660s in that size and I'm looking for the most tire I can fit comfortably in an STU prep car.
Colin Wood said:I'll admit I didn't do a whole bunch of research, but it was my understanding that if I wanted a decent wheel and tire package for my Fit I'd have to downsize from the 16-inch wheels to 15-inch ones.
I think it's a good look, IMO:
Going from 12" to 10" on my classic Mini just transformed the car. It worked so much better.
NB Miata owners have been downsizing from 16" or 17" to 15" for years.
Seriously considering taking my 2002 down from 15" to the factory 13", if I can find some half-decent tires in 175 or 185/70-13.
13" is difficult these days. I ended up going from 13" to 15" on my CRX and it ended up being an improvement simply because of the available tires. Everything in 13" was some sort of terrible 800TW budget no-name tire with no real abilities other than "cheap".
If you are talking a street car I'm all about whatever gives you more choices and saves money.
The M3 does feel a little lighter on its feet with the 17s and, since it’s a slow news day, we figured it was a good opportunity to share a recent photo.
If that were my car, I'd be coming up with thin excuses to share that photo as well. The wheels look fantastic.
That looks like the perfect amount of tire to me.
albino09 said:Question from another E46 owner looking at the same spec. Is there enough space there to fit 275/40/17? You can get RT660s in that size and I'm looking for the most tire I can fit comfortably in an STU prep car.
As came up recently in the "twin spoke wheel" thread, I have 275/35R18s on my E46 M3, so I would imagine those 17s should be OK. Fenders were rolled by the pro race shop that built the car so I'm not sure exactly what was needed, but it didn't require paint.
I think the biggest question on 17 vs 18 for this car comes down to how much brake you want to be able to fit.
Keith Tanner said:NB Miata owners have been downsizing from 16" or 17" to 15" for years.
The big problem with 16" is that there aren't many decent tires available in that diameter.
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