M3 E46 19" or 18" wheels?

[getcarter]

I'm about to put a 'proper' set of brakes on the E46 M3 (AP racing), but am thinking of ditching the 18" wheels in favour of (IMO) the better looking 19". These were not an option when I bought the car.

I've heard that the 19" wheels create a 'harder' ride than the 18". Because I do shed loads of miles on rubbish roads (in the Highlands) and then track days down south - Would the 19" wheels... make the roads in Scotland even harder on my ar*e, and any thoughts as to whether the 19" would be better/worse on track??

Bit specific I know, but thought someone out there might have some experience (BMW just look blankly at me).

Steve

[M-five]

Steve,

The profile of the 19" tyres will have to reduce from the current 225/45 (if your's are still stock) profile to 40 or 35 profile and will make the ride a little more choppy, but not overly so unless you go all the way to 35 profile.

You can probably get away with 255/35 Z19 on the rear and 235/40 Z19 on the front!

Unless you're putting on discs in excess of 360mm you will not need 19" rims anyway.

Also tyres for 19" are even more expensive than the 18" you currently have (yes I know you have shed loads of money anyway).

BTW what AP set-up you going for - 8-pot BTCC spec on 380mm discs?

>> Edited by M-five on Monday 24th June 09:41

[getcarter]

Hi Tony,

Ta for the reply. AP are working on 6 pot (grooved or drilled)- which is what I'll get if I keep the 18" (which I probably will) - If I were to go for the 19" I could fit in a set of 911 turbo brakes (would be monster - but would cost the same as a small Latin American country).

Hoping to get the M fixed up for the Easytrack Silverstone/Malory days next month (my R500 doesn't arrive till Aug)

Haven't checked to see if you're on the (rather long) Silverstone list - but if you are, I'll see you there. Hoping for rain so I can keep up with them pesky little Caterhams

[M-five]

I've just got mine back from BMW (2 front struts, 2 wheel bearings, 2 track rods, 1 thrust arm, 2 rear axle bushes, 2 x KDS alignment checks, front fog light, air filter housing) and the cost for the replacement Nurburgring suspension is equivalent to the GDP of the village inside the Nurburgring - almost £4k when you add in the VAT!

I was looking forward to Silverstone, but could not get the Monday off as I am acting design head while the boss is away on vacation. He should be back on Sunday night, but I am needed on standby - so I booked the midweek one with Booka"cough, cough"track.

What size brakes are on the M3 at the moment?
If they're smaller than mine then you can buy me the AP kit and you can have mine

[getcarter]

Whatever they are at the moment, they only work for 30 laps - and no, I don't want yours - I saw you drive round an airfield!

[M-five]

I was just bedding them in

[ross]

have you done anything to the dampers on your m3...i've just got one, and i don't think they're much good, they don't seem to keep up with the springs and you get a sort of pogoing motion, the brakes seem ok for the road though.

[getcarter]

Ross,

I haven't, but know what you mean... I've just been posting on the 'easytrack' forum about the M3 E46 as a track car, and I mentioned that it's all a bit bouncy bouncy(!) The bumps before Avon Rise at Castle Combe are a nightmare (esp as you take them at about 140).

I'm afraid I don't have any bright ideas (I just drive the thing), but I'm seeing Peter Colin at AP racing in the next few weeks to have the brakes fitted, and I'll ask him what he thinks. If he has some ideas, I'll post here.

Steve

[Grey42Cerbie]

Steve,

If you want to get rid of the 18's then drop me a mail. I'm sure they would look great on mine :-)

Cheers, Steve
E36 EVO coupe

[Phil M]

If you are wanting to put E46 M3 wheels on an E36, you will need 4 front rims from the E46 because the rear wheel of the E46 is a lot wider and will not go under the rear arch of your E36 unles you take out very extensive arch modifications.

Phil

[Phil M]

And for all of you E46 and E36 M3 owners, visit www.bm3w.co.uk

[mikeyh]

Getcarter, have you had the brakes fitted yet? If you have, are they any good?

[getcarter]

Mike - there is a LONG post on the BMW M3 site (www.bm3w.co.uk ) about my car and it's brakes... rather than re-type... perhaps you'd check out the link - then look for 'warnings for M3 E46 drivers on track'

They are not on-line today as a mark of respect for Sept 11.

Worth a read... my Lawyers are in talks with BMW