All about rims/wheels on a 318

[Rabit911]

I want to put new 17" rims on my car but have a bunch of questions before i invest in it...

1. What kind of width of the 17" rim will fit my 1996 bmw 318iS without any rubbing or problems?

2. I dont want any rubbing or my ASC going off because of the bigger wheels. (i currently have stock 15" and i tried putting on wider tires on the back rims and my ASC started going off, anybody know why?)

3. Do stock 318 come out with 17" rims from factory and if yes what width are they??

4. Can i put wider rims in the back then the front? and what will the advantage/disadvantage be?

5. Can i put 17" rims in the back and 16" rims in the front? what will the advantage/disadvantage be?

6. Also if i put 17" rims on my car will the car look lower and stealthier or will it look higher and awkward? I dont have any lowering springs.

7. Should i invest in some lowering springs? before or after I put the rims on?

8.Can i just put lowering spring in the front and not the back? what kind do you recommend?

9. Lastly, what is the "offset" that they talk about when picking out rims? what offset would i need for my 318?

[VMZ]

1. You should be safe up to about 235.

2. That shouldn't set the ASC off. Can't tell you what went on there.

3. I dunno about the 318s but stocker 17s are 225. 225s are now more expensive than 235 and 235s fit so are a better option. It's still the same chassis just a different engine so they should fit.

4. Yes you can. Nothing other than looking "tough" One argument is you have more grip on you driving wheels... but then isn't it equally important to keep traction on the wheels that steer and keep you out of walls/fences/trees etc?

5. Yes you can. Once again... looking tough.

6. There is no rim that fits more perfectly than a 17". You really don't know what you're missing out on, do you? No suspension mods needed.

7. BMW went through a lot of research to design the suspension geometry and to make them handle so nice. Why do a couple hundred dollar mod on something that cost many million to design? If you still want to at least wait to see what they look like.

8. Put 17's on first. I'm still at stock hight and if you look at the car from the side there is a much bigger gap between tire and wheel arch at the front than the back... it already looks like it's be dropped.

9. There is a wide range of offsets that will fit.

Have a read of this post or even the whole thread;
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=112&p=492&hilit=offset#p492

Are you sticking with OEM wheels, going blingy or what?