Need Wheel & Tire Recommendations for My E46 M3

[BinBuilt]

I’m currently running Apex SM-10s on my E46 M3, 18x9.5 +22 fronts with a spacer and 18x10.5 +22 rears. I’ve been considering changing up my wheel and tire setup and wanted to get some input from other E46 M3 owners. I’m looking for a setup that suits the car well, has a clean fitment, fills out the wheel wells nicely, and still performs great on the street. I’d love to hear what wheel specs and tire sizes you’re running, what you’d recommend, and see some pictures of setups that have worked well for you.

[M3LSB.Gab]

163M suits the car the best by far for me.

[BinBuilt]

163M suits the car the best by far for me.

What are your tire specs?

[M3LSB.Gab]

245/35/19 and 275/30/19. Conti sport contact 02.

[tnord]

there's a many page wheel/tire thread on here somewhere with pictures and people posting their wheel specs.

what's wrong with your SM10s?

[AmandaB]

245/35/19 and 275/30/19. Conti sport contact 02.

On what width wheels?

[M3LSB.Gab]

On what width wheels?

BBS RSII
19x8.5 and 19x10.

[Advorsor]

Not going to comment on wheels as that is very subjective (I have OEM CSLs). Tires however, I don't know why you'd go with anything other than Michelin Pilot/Sports..

[Keith_MN]

I'm new when it comes to these cars, but did a fair amount of research on this topic.

You have Apex wheels so you've probably seen this, but if not, this is a great resource:

https://apexwheels.com/fitment-guides/bmw/m3/bmw-e46-m3-wheel-and-tire-fitment-guide?srsltid=AfmBOorCaKNpkBm0BY8YC3Qdjf-ruP4f8q3bZ4aU3s7VIecyUYUH1Vz2

Wheel fitment thread:

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/e46-2001-2006/5663-the-post-your-wheel-setup-thread

My interpretation:
Street car: Michelin Pilot Sports or save a small amount of money at the expense of a grip/wear/noise.

Sizing
18"s ride better
19"s look better (subjective of course, I prefer 18" for looks too).

I run the following sizes and am quite happy with how they fill the car out, lowered with a typical alignment.
18x9 +30
18x10 +20 (+25 with a 5mm spacer)

[BinBuilt]

there's a many page wheel/tire thread on here somewhere with pictures and people posting their wheel specs.

what's wrong with your SM10s?

I just dont feel Like in my opinion that they suit the car as much as arc 8s or style 163, im just trying to see what other wheels people are running because so far the only wheels that I see myself switching too is arc 8s and the 163

[tnord]

I generally agree with that, and with that in mind there are two primary options. One of the various versions of BBS wheels, or Apex arc8, ec7, or their new ml10. I have ec7s, but I do still long for something like the BBS LMR. BBS is going to be generally more expensive and harder to get correct sizes, especially without spacers.

This is why so many people use Apex, even if they're made in china (I think?). Their mfg processes and tolerances make for a higher quality than usual wheel, reasonably light, with sizes specific to our platform, and aren't overly expensive.

There are other options like the TE37, which I think still looks correct on the car since those wheels have been around forever. And pretty much every manufacturer makes some version of a BBS style wheel, but not all of them look quite right. Even the Volk mesh wheels look a little off to me.

[Cubieman]

Sportline 8S's are a nice CSL replica that aren't too heavy and are reasonably priced, great size options.

Unfortunately they aren't really exact replicas anymore as I think they got into it with BMW.

They got rid of the smaller holes near the lug nuts, recessed area for the M sticker, and the text around the center caps.