I just recently purchased a 1999 M3 (that I got a fantastic deal on) but it is currently equipped with winter tires. Rather than buying summer tires and swapping them off every winter I am thinking about getting new rims instead. My main question is this - how do the E46 M3 18" wheels look on the E36 and do they fit ok? I see a bunch of people are selling their sets on ebay and with tires also. I have heard that the back wheels won't fit, but I asked the seller if it would fit my M3 and he said yes. I don't know whether or not to believe this guy, so I'm looking for some support.

Also would the 330 performance package wheels fit? I see a lot of people using the word "offset" and I don't really know how to interpret this. If spacers would be required for either of these rims that's not a problem, however does this mean they will be sticking out of the wheel wells? If anyone knows of some good looking 18" rims that fit the E36 as an alternative to these 2 that would also be appreciated. Thanks for the help.

The fronts fit. The rears don't, unless you have widebody. So unless they are 4 frotns, don't buy them.

Look around online, many e36 specific e46 m3 lookalike wheels are for sale. Also read tirereack's explanantion of offsets as a starter. Do some math and you'll figure out why the rears won't fit.

Bassem

They look ugly. It was cool on the e46's at first now it's just tired don't do it to your e36

Never put E46 M3 rims on a E36. They look absolutely horrible. Either put summer tires on your current rims and buy a cheap set of stock lesser 3 series rims for your winter wheels or use your stock rims as winter rims and get a better looking set of summer rims. Its not that much of a hassle.

BKarre, you need to zero in on what called the Offset of the wheel. Its what determines how far the mounting surface is from the center line of the wheel, or, how big or small the the wheel 'Dish' will appear .. The offset of the E36 M3 wheels is something like 41mm. I think the E46 is radically different. Therein lies the rub. :D