E30 Rims

What are the largest rims I can use on the E30 1988 325i Convertable with "factory-ish" ride height. I don't want any body modifications or rubbing. I currently have the factory
14" 4-bolts... Can I go 15"? 16"? Thanks.

14, 15, 16, 17

Try tirerack.com :
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/results.jsp?autoMake=BMW&autoModel=325ic&autoYear=1988&autoModClar=

You can fit 17" rims given the correct width and offset, but I pity the guy trying to put the tires on the rims. I'd go 16 just to keep the brakes from looking too puny.

ei

Thanks. I'll take a look at the site. The current 14"s look pretty small.....

heh, the brakes look puny under 16-inch rims, too!

7x15s will look great, though, & you'll have a lot more options to choose from for both the wheels & the tires. IIRC, you'll want an offset of about 24-28mm.

I've broken & bent enough rims to realize that the 'look' must be balanced against driveability. Up here in pothole country, you just can't run around over poorly-maintained roads w/ impunity - you've got to steer around the holes! It's really easy to bend a 16" rim on a hole you might not even notice w/ a 14" wheel, b/c the reduced tire sidewall-depth isn't able to take the punishment.

Pot Hole Country

Michigander here. We specialize in pot holes. Thanks a lot for the feed back....Some of these damn things look more like bomb craters!

hi Vicksburg,
see my 'back on the road' thread
(http://stage.bmwcca.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=322&d=1207783370)
for a side-view of the black car w/ Alpina 7x16 wheels & 205-45VR16 Eagle F1 tires. The ride-height is determined by Racing Dynamics front springs & Alpina rear springs. The height to the top of the fender-arches is 24" front & 23-7/8" rear.

Thanks jmalter

Those look sweet and fill the wheel wells nice. I don't like when they are too huge, and I don't want any rubbing and scraping. I also don't want extremely low profile tires either. Looks like you have found the right combination.......Thanks.

Yea, you really don't want to run 17's, cause there's very little rubber between the rim and the road. I say 16" is really the largest to go. But, be forewarned, leaving the car with a stock ride height and big rims will look quite goofy.