Wheel size vs. tire availability

[MC Hammered]

I am looking at the same style wheel but in 2 different sizes and wanted opinions on this as I can't make up my mind.

One set is 16x8 & 16x9, et15 and in perfect condition, however finding tires that will fit is difficult as there is very few options for a 215/45/16 tire.

Other set is 17x9, 17x9.5, et30 so spacers are required, wheels are in very good condition and 2 lips have a slight bend, however, I know there are more tire options available in 17" size.

So if the price is the same which set would you select?

[Roysneon]

17s. I can't see me going to anything but 17's for my cars now, unless it was for one of my unfinished projects, and it was something pretty special in 15".

[LJ851]

How important is tire selection and availability to you ?

I think 16s are what God designed the e30 to run on but tire selection is truly awful.

[ST1G]

17s. I can't see me going to anything but 17's for my cars now, unless it was for one of my unfinished projects, and it was something pretty special in 15".

I'm with you. I have 17's on now and really like them. I have some sweet Aluline Turbines that are 15's that I would run because they are just a cool period wheel. But aside from it being a awesome period wheel I would go 17's.

[MC Hammered]

How important is tire selection and availability to you ?

I think 16s are what God designed the e30 to run on but tire selection is truly awful.

How important? Well there is no point in owning wheels that you can't find tires for. Right now the only reasonably priced 215/45/16 tire is the Falken 615 to fit the 16" wheel.

I am running both 16" and 17" wheels and the ride on the 16s is a bit nicer due to the extra sidewall.

[MC Hammered]

I'm a bonehead and didn't actually calculate the spacers needed to make the front wheels fit.

Confirmed the front wheel to be 17x9 et33. With the 16x9 et15 Borbet B I run a 4mm spacer to clear the strut, which means I would need a 22mm spacer to fit the front wheels. Rear wheel would need a 15-20mm spacer as well.

While I am not opposed to running spacers this does throw a curve into the decision making process for these wheels as the 16" version is bolt on fit.

[Northern]

Tire selection for 16" is crap. I'm running a similar setup with 225/45/16 all around and I lucked out finding some Falken FK452's on clearance. Other than that, the next cheapest option was getting R888's unless I wanted to get butchered by UPS by shipping from the states.

[wazzu70]

17" tires have wider selection in diameters that are too big for the E30. A more proper 40 or 35 series tire can be harder to come by and a lot of times more expensive.

I went to 17" wheels for the tire selection and I just think it looks too "tall" with the 225/45/17 tires. I can switch to something in a 40 series but Id rather just get 16s that I think fit the car better at that point.

There isn't a huge amount of 16" tires available in the 45 series, but most good tires are available in that size at a cost thats not much different than a 40 series 17" tire IMO.

[Roysneon]

I think that 17s are perfect size, and a 215/40 is the right size and fits most tire widths without stretching too much. I wouldn't do a 215/40 on a 10j wheel, but they're fine on a 9j for me. If you're worried about performance and/or have a tiny motor some heavy 17's may not be the best option. If I was in that category I'd stay with a really ballin 15.

I honestly never thought I'd put 17" wheels on a car the size of the e30 but as I've said before they just look so right on sedans and tourings. From what he's had in the past I assume that OP likes bigger wheels and isn't afraid of stretch.

[Roysneon]

I am looking at the same style wheel but in 2 different sizes and wanted opinions on this as I can't make up my mind.

One set is 16x8 & 16x9, et15 and in perfect condition, however finding tires that will fit is difficult as there is very few options for a 215/45/16 tire.

Other set is 17x9, 17x9.5, et30 so spacers are required, wheels are in very good condition and 2 lips have a slight bend, however, I know there are more tire options available in 17" size.

So if the price is the same which set would you select?

Also, we need to know what the wheels are before we make a decision. I'd say 16" BBS over 17" SportMaxx but both wheels being equal I think you know what I'd say.

[R3Z3N]

A 235/40/17 on a 9j looks stretched. Honestly in 17s you have 2 choices. 215/40/17 and 235/40/17.

On my car I typically run 235s all around on a 8.5 and 9 inch rims, but will use 215 on the front (in a pinch) if tires are cheap enough.....

[MC Hammered]

Also, we need to know what the wheels are before we make a decision. I'd say 16" BBS over 17" SportMaxx but both wheels being equal I think you know what I'd say.

Here is a picture of what I am looking to acquire. 17" Dynatech CM2