E36 Stance: Optimal Tire Profile (Click for Wheel Dimensions)

[///M-TRD3]

Looking for any of the stance crazed guys opinions on whether the difference between these two tire sizes would be noteworthy in terms of stance/appeal, or if you think it's so minimal it's not worth the deliberation.

Car: E36
Wheels: 17x8 et 20 front / 17x9 et 26 rear
Tire options: 215/40 or 215/45 (all 4 corners)

I'm going for a bit of poke and stretch and am on coilovers so I can adjust ride height as I feel. Kicker is, I have a nearly new set of BFG KDW's in my basement in the 215/45 so that makes things easier and cost effective, but I'm not looking to save money at the expense of being displeased with the look/stance afterwards. 215/40s I'd be buying a new set. I won't be touching the fenders, because I know fronts will clear fine, and I'm 99% sure that the rears with et26 will just clear as well without any rolling (atleast with the 40's, 1% uncertainty is for the 45's lol).

It seems minimal going back and forth over a 40 sidewall vs. a 45, but when I look at the tires unmounted side by side it's a noticeable difference in height from one to the other. Then again, that is unmounted, so I'm not sure if the difference will be negligible in terms of look and fitment when mounted on a car.

T.I.A.

[T.Dot_E30]

I'd say try the 45s you already have first.

You shouldn't have any problems with 215/45/17s all around, if anything a slight fender roll if you get robbing depending on how low, but I doubt you'll need it.
I'm running 235/35s on 18x9s et 30 in the rear, no fender roll yet, planning to go lower and roll them this summer.

[///M-TRD3]

I would go that route but I don't want to go mount them just to dismount if I am not swayed by how it turns out. The other big thing is I meant to say "will be" on coilovers, because although I have them, the first free chance I'll have to install them will be next weekend, so test fitting isn't possible anyway.

In the meantime, until the last day of this month some tire retailers in Germany have really good pre-spring sales on rubber, which is therefore when I'd pickup the 215/40's if I go that route. So hopefully I can get a bit more stance aficionado insight before just choosing one and going with it.

Ironically the other set of wheels I have at home for the car ar 18x8 et 20 front, and 18x9 et 22 rear. Anything other than 35 profile and atleast a mild roll in the rear and those aren't clearing though lol. Plus they're not with me right now, so the 17's will be the summer shoes.

Thanks for the input though Trev

[Axxe]

I had rubbing in the back with 215/35 on 18x9 et22 with unrolled fenders at stock height. 215/45 on 17x9 et26 is a bit taller but a bit further in, you might be able to get away with only a small roll (roll lip flat). I have my quarters rolled really aggressively now and no rubbing issues. Coilovers going on next week, and then we'll see how low I can go without rubbing.

[///M-TRD3]

A mate of mine had 18x8 et 20 and 18x9 et22 on his car and could only get away with not rolling the fronts by using a 215/35 tire. He actually used that size on all four corners but the rears needed a mild roll regardless at those specs.

I ended up ordering 215/40's last week to try to see if I can get away with them on coilovers and not touching the fenders. Fronts will be fine, it's the rears I'm just barely unsure of. Will see in the next few weeks.

[T.Dot_E30]

You'll have no issue. Your only problem is if you go low enough in the rear to tuck rim your going to be rubbing rim on the back part of the fender lip, you'll need a mild roll there no matter what tire.

I think the 45s with more sidewall would have been a better stretch, I'm not a fan of the undersized tire look, but that's just my opinion. Either way I can't wait to see it.

[bmw.ae]

Originally Posted by Axxe

I had rubbing in the back with 215/35 on 18x9 et22 with unrolled fenders at stock height. 215/45 on 17x9 et26 is a bit taller but a bit further in, you might be able to get away with only a small roll (roll lip flat). I have my quarters rolled really aggressively now and no rubbing issues. Coilovers going on next week, and then we'll see how low I can go without rubbing.

sry to be a newb but what does "et26" refer to? im trying to correct the stance of my cabrio as it is right now 215/35/18 all around and i have lowering springs. the rear is tucked so you cant see the tire, also the camber is adjusted so the bottom of the wheel sticks out a bit.. what i was going to do was have a pair of stock rear springs cut a to raise the back end of the car and put 235/40 on the back.. this is my attempt to have a wider stance, will it fit?

[mhackley98]

I might be wrong but I think it's a user on here. User name is Jint i think.

[Axxe]

Originally Posted by bmw.ae

sry to be a newb but what does "et26" refer to? im trying to correct the stance of my cabrio as it is right now 215/35/18 all around and i have lowering springs. the rear is tucked so you cant see the tire, also the camber is adjusted so the bottom of the wheel sticks out a bit.. what i was going to do was have a pair of stock rear springs cut a to raise the back end of the car and put 235/40 on the back.. this is my attempt to have a wider stance, will it fit?

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/...jsp?techid=101

Need specs to know what will fit, and putting in stock rear springs that are cut to raise it will only create problems.

[BimmerBoys]

Originally Posted by bmw.ae

sry to be a newb but what does "et26" refer to? im trying to correct the stance of my cabrio as it is right now 215/35/18 all around and i have lowering springs. the rear is tucked so you cant see the tire, also the camber is adjusted so the bottom of the wheel sticks out a bit.. what i was going to do was have a pair of stock rear springs cut a to raise the back end of the car and put 235/40 on the back.. this is my attempt to have a wider stance, will it fit?

et26 is a wheel offset. how far in or out the wheels sets on the hub. about et40 is stock on your e36. So et26 will sit way out.... lots of poke.

[///M-TRD3]

Originally Posted by T.Dot_E30

Either way I can't wait to see it.

Forgot to post a pic in this thread. Went with 215/40's and they're ideal. Here was a picture from the first test fit back at the end of May on the drivers side. (iPhone photo in underground garage is natually not the best for resolution)

[Axxe]

Good. Now go lower in the back, looks like 4x4 status.

[sparf328]

whats the style/name of those rims?, they have grown on me recently..

ps. i wish plates in north america where the same shape as the euro plates they look so much cooler...