Thanks for your data. I fully understand the... (archive)

... relationship between wheel width, wheel offset, and tire section width and how they relate to fit. I'm putting your data in the spreadsheet, so that's another good set of data. However, I'm asking the owners of 17" wheel tire combinations for some numbers other than the technical design data.

What I am looking for in this case is the actual installed section width of various size tires on various size rims. A "235" isn't really a "235" unless you have it on the exact width rim designed to make it so. Since tires have a range of wheel widths they fit on, there is a range of actual installed section width - this is what I'm after. This will make the E28 Wheel & Tire "Database" a higher-quality source of fitment data. As it stands now, if this info isn't available for a particular tire width/wheel width combination, the spreadsheet uses the design section width of the tire without regard for the wheel width.

Note that I'm doing this for the benefit of others, not to "see what fits my car." I have my 16x8 BBS RKs and plan on sticking with them for a good long while.

I run now 17x8.5" rims offset 13mm front,23mm rear,and wish I had gone back to the 235/40/17's, instead of the 235/45/17's I have,as when I lower the car,it's gonna be REAL close.

Most 17's are 17x8.0,and give you a bit more room,but still,if you track the car,use 225/45's or 235/40's,for far less clearance problems in height.Watch the offset,though.If you run 20mm offset all around,the 235/40's will be too wide up front.Use a small 3mm/5mm spacer there.

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