Re: 330Ci wheels - couple of questions (archive)

Thanks for the info! Now I'm second-guessing the 17" 330Ci wheel based on tire fitment issues, needing spacers, & (apparently) rough ride. While it looks great, I'm not willing to make sacrafices for looks...

Back in college I used to own a Golf GTI 16v 2.0 that had a set of 15" BBS & a Bilstein Sport suspension setup. Now that car rode rough and many called it my "go-cart with air-conditioning". After owning that (harsh) set-up I too am a little wiser in my selection for parts for use on a street car.

Based on your comments, I just may go with a set of 16" TSW Hockenheims since a 16" will probably ride a little better.

The wheels do effect the way the car handles, it turns in a little slower and has more under steer now. Most people never find the limits of their car anyway unless on the track, so I don't mind the handling so much. The wheels are a little bit taller than stock so it effects your gearing also. It actually feels better for every day driving because you don't have to shift out first gear so fast when starting and stoping in traffic. When your cruising on the freeway in fifth gear at 75mph your only at about 3500 rpm Your speedo will indicate about 70mph.
You have to use H&R spacers (15mm) you can probably use a 20mm if desired. I still have plenty of clearence in the rear with 245/40/17 tires. I had 225/45/17/ up front but had a minor rubbing problem, so I went with a 215/40/17. nitto makes a 225/40/17, I had ordered them but Discont sent me the wrong size, and I did not have the time to wait for them to ship another set since I drive the car every day. I could get the car to handle more neutral again if used the 225/40/17 tire's in front and went with a larger rear sway bar.
I got the wheel's from a Tech that I used to work with.
If you live in a city with alot of pot holes or bumpy streets, I recomend you stick with the stock suspension set up. It rides a little rough in stock configuration, I can't imagine driving the car every day with stiffer springs and bigger swaybars in Seattle. Our street's are total sh..
The cost of the wheel's are about $450 ea from the dealership without tires but I got mine for a fraction of that. They are not perfect, one has curb rash and another has some minor scratches in the paint.
Good luck,
Troy

Follow Ups:

Re: 330Ci wheels - couple of questions adam piotrowski 18:20 1/02/2001 (2)
- So you would go with 17" Hocks (not 16")? Drew '91 M3 22:57 1/02/2001 (1)
  - kinda in this article! adam p 01:26 1/03/2001 (0)

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