► APEX | E46 M3 Wide Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide

[Eddy@ApexRaceParts]

Wide Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide

We wanted to create a fitment guide to have a database that included photos along with specifications of track wheel & tire setups for E46 M3 owners to refer to!

We all know there can sometimes be confusion in figuring out the right variables for your car to fit the maximum amount of wheel and tire width. This thread is for E46 M3 owners who have accomplished wider than normal wheel and tire set ups and what they have done to achieve these fitments in the process. Please only post wheel and tire set ups utilizing a 265 or wider street tire or a wider than normal R-Compound tire. In the event you do not have the specs for one of the "areas" please include it with N/A.

APEX wanted to begin by showcasing the known wide wheel and tire fitments for the E46 M3 chassis that we have experience and worked with. Please post your own cars with these guidelines and spread the experiences and knowledge you have learned from fitting these wider wheel and tire set ups!

Guidelines

Please include all of the following, maintaining the Bold Headings:
Chassis:
Wheel Model:
Diameter/ width/ offset:
Tires:
Suspension:
Alignment (Camber/ Toe):
Fenders Rolled or Cut:
Other Body modifications:
Advice:
Pictures:

17x9.5" ET35 squared


17x9.5" ET35 Concave Anthracite ARC-8's with 275/40/17 Nitto R-Compound tires


This 17x9.5" ET35 wheel set up only needs about -2.5 degrees of camber compared to the more aggressive 17x10" ET25 wheel set up that needs about -3.5 degrees in the front.


This 17x9.5" ET35 wheel set up only needs about -2.5 degrees of camber compared to the more aggressive 17x10" ET25 wheel set up that needs about -3.5 degrees in the front.


17x9.5" ET35 with a 15mm wheel spacer in the rear is an easy wheel fitment on the E46 M3.

Chassis: E46 M3
Wheel Model: ARC-8
Diameter/ width/ offset: 17x9.5" ET35 squared, 15mm spacers in rear
Tires: 275/40/17 Nitto R-Compound
Suspension: Ground Control S/A
Alignment (Camber/ Toe): -2.5 front, -1.5 rear, 0 toe
Fenders Rolled or Cut: Cut, but not necessary
Other Body modifications: N/A
Advice: Our concave 17" wheels provide huge benefits on the track and street compared to 18" wheels because of their lighter weight, lower tire costs, lower wheel costs, and more tire selection! These 17x9.5" ET35 ARC-8's can be used with either a 265/40/17 or a 275/40/17 tire with negative camber in the front. Those with KW suspension with progressive V-shaped springs may need a small spacer for the fronts to clear the spring perch, depending on ride height and tires. This width and offset is a popular choice for e46 M3s, not requiring any major fender or body modifications as required by more aggressive offsets. There is also less negative camber needed for these to clear the front fenders in comparison to the 17x10" ET25. Spacers are not required, though many people prefer to add a spacer (12mm or 15mm) for the rear to be pushed out closer to the fender. This wheel does not clear a front BBK on the e46 M3.

17x10" ET25 squared




Silver Grey e46 M3 with Anthracite 17x10" ET25 squared

Chassis: E46 M3
Wheel Model: ARC-8
Diameter/ width/ offset: 17x10" ET25
Tires: 275/40/17 Toyo R888
Suspension: Ground Control S/A
Alignment (Camber/ Toe): -3.5 front, -1.5 rear, 0 toe
Fenders Rolled or Cut: Cut, but not necessary
Other Body modifications: N/A
Advice: Our concave 17" wheels provide huge benefits on the track and street compared to 18" wheels because of their lighter weight, lower tire costs, lower wheel costs, and more tire selection! These 17x10" ET25 ARC-8's can be used with either the 265/40/17 or a 275/40/17 tire with negative camber in the front. Some may consider the rear wheel fitment slightly conservative, so they would add a 5mm rear wheel spacer to make it more aesthetically pleasing. Those with KW suspension with progressive V-shaped springs may need a small spacer for the fronts to clear the spring perch, depending on ride height and tires. The 10" and 10.5" width have enough spoke clearance to clear a Stoptech and Brembo 355mm BBK when used up front. Rear BBK's are not an issue with any size as the calipers are further inboard.

17x10" ET25 or 17x10.5" ET27 Drag Setup


Silver Grey e46 M3 with Anthracite 17x10" ET25 Drag rears

Chassis: E46 M3
Wheel Model: ARC-8
Diameter/ width/ offset: 17x10" ET25
Tires: 275/40/17 R888 - *We did not have any drag radials on hand, but these run equally as wide*
Suspension: Ground Control S/A
Alignment (Camber/ Toe): -3.5 front, 0 rear, 0 toe
Fenders Rolled or Cut: Cut, but not necessary
Other Body modifications: N/A
Advice: ] For those looking for a drag racing setup to use drag radials on, the 17x10" ET25 is a commonly used wheel with 275/40/17 drag radial tires. These are most commonly bought as a pair for the rear. Fender rolling may be required depending on your car's ride height. A lower ride height may require more fender rolling.

The 17x10.5" ET27 ARC-8 may also be used as a drag racing setup, as there are some tires available in the 295 width that would have better sidewall support from the 17x10." ET27 wheel. This setup will require fender rolling in the rear at the very least, and may require cutting the rear fenders if you have a low ride height.

18x9.5" ET35 squared

Here are a couple different examples of the 18x9.5" ET35 setups that have been done with APEX wheels:


Topaz Blue E46 M3 with Hyper Silver ARC-8s

Chassis: E46 M3
Wheel Model: ARC-8s
Diameter/ width/ offset: 18x9.5" ET35 with spacers
Tires: 275/35/18 Nitto NT01 R-compound
Suspension: Moton Clubsport
Alignment (Camber/ Toe): -3.6 F, -2.5 rear, 0 toe
Fenders Rolled or Cut: Front Fender Pulled, Rear untouched
Other Body modifications: N/A
Advice: This is a popular choice for e46 M3s, not requiring any major fender or body modifications as required by more aggressive offsets. Spacers are not required, though many people prefer to add a spacer for the rear to be pushed out closer to the fender. Those with Big Brake Kits would require a spacer for the caliper to clear the wheel spokes, and this wheel does not accommodate for 380mm rotors. This wheel has the same concave face as the 18x9.5" ET22.

Those with KW Variant coilovers may run into fitment issues with the wheel hitting either the spring perch or the bottom of the spring itself with the V shaped springs, not the strut itself, though this really depends on your ride height. If this is the case, you may need to add a small 5mm spacer to push the tire out away from the spring perch or spring. If you decided to go with the 255/35/18 street tire size, you should be able to clear the front with no clearance issues without the need for a small spacer. The best solution is still to change the KW V-shaped springs to the 6" linear race springs for proper fitment. Many people would add a 10-15mm spacer in the rear to push out the rear towards the fender to make it more aesthetically pleasing, but it is not required.

The KW spring perch accepts a 60mm spring, thus you should look for a 6" 60mm spring from Swift, Hyperco, Eibach, or H&R. This will allow you to remove your V shaped spring and raise the lower spring perch higher.

The 18x9.5" ET35 ARC-8 will not be able to work with the Brembo 6-piston 380mm BBK. The EC-7 in this same size is offered and has better brake clearance, and is able to accommodate the Brembo 6-piston 380mm BBK with a 5mm spacer as well as the equivalent Stoptech offering.



Jet Black E46 M3 with Race Silver EC-7s

Chassis: E46 M3
Wheel Model: EC-7
Diameter/ width/ offset: 18x9.5" ET35
Tires: 265/35/18 Hankook RS-3
Suspension: Ground Control Coilovers
Alignment (Camber/ Toe): -1.5 to -2.0 degrees of camber required for a 265/35/18
Fenders Rolled or Cut: N/A
Other Body modifications: N/A
Advice: This is a popular choice for e46 M3s, not requiring any major fender or body modifications as required by more aggressive offsets. Many people would add a spacer in the rear to push out the rear towards the fender to make it more aesthetically pleasing, but it is not required. Those with Big Brake Kits may need a spacer for the caliper to clear the wheel spokes. The EC-7 accommodates the Brembo 6-piston 380mm BBK with a 5mm spacer. The Stoptech Big Brake Kits do not require any spacers for their ST-40 or ST-60 kits, up to 380mm rotors.

18x9.5" ET22 squared


Titanium Silver E46 M3 with Race Silver EC-7s

Chassis: E46 M3
Wheel Model: EC-7
Diameter/ width/ offset: 18x9.5" ET22
Tires: 265/35/18 Michelin PSS
Suspension: TCKline D/A
Alignment (Camber/ Toe): -2.8 Front -2.2 Rear camber
Fenders Rolled or Cut: N/A
Other Body modifications: N/A
Advice: This is the more aggressive 18x9.5" squared wheel setup for the e46 M3 since it requires a bit of negative camber (-2.5 to -3), a bit excessive for street use. Many people would add a spacer in the rear to push out the rear towards the fender to make it more aesthetically pleasing, but it is not required. This setup will clear the KW Variant coilovers without any issues.

The EC-7 in this same size is offered and has better brake clearance, being able to accomodate the Brembo 6-piston 380mm BBK. The 18x9.5" ET22 ARC-8 will not be able to work with the Brembo 6-piston 380mm BBK.

18x10" ET25 squared


Titanium Silver E46 M3 with Hyper Silver ARC-8s

Chassis: E46 M3
Wheel Model: APEX ARC-8
Diameter/ width/ offset: 18x10" ET25
Tires: 265/35/18 Dunlop Star Specs
Suspension: TCKline S/A
Alignment (Camber/ Toe): -3.5 front, -2.5 rear, 0 toe
Fenders Rolled or Cut: N/A
Other Body modifications: N/A
Advice: This is a very aggressive setup and will require the negative camber for the front wheels to clear the front fenders. The 10" wide wheel can take up to a 285/30/18 tire if you are looking to have that wide of a tire, which would also require at least -3.5 degrees of camber, a bit excessive for street use. Many people would add a spacer in the rear to push out the rear towards the fender to make it more aesthetically pleasing, but it is not required. Those with KW suspension with progressive V-shaped springs may need a small spacer for the fronts to clear the spring perch, depending on ride height and tires.

The EC-7 in this same size is offered and has better brake clearance, being able to accomodate the Brembo 6-piston 380mm BBK. The 18x10" ET25 ARC-8 will not be able to work with the Brembo 6-piston 380mm BBK.


18x10" ET33 squared




Silver Grey E46 M3 with Race Silver EC-7s

Chassis: E46 M3
Wheel Model: APEX EC-7
Diameter/ width/ offset: 18x10" ET33
Tires: 275/35/18 Toyo R888
Suspension: Ground Control S/A
Alignment (Camber/ Toe): -3.5 front, -2.0 rear, 0 toe
Fenders Rolled or Cut: N/A
Other Body modifications: N/A
Advice: This is an easier fitment for the front of the E46 M3, as it is not nearly as aggressive as the 18x10" ET25, though it still needs approximately -2.5 degrees of camber. Squared setup so that you can rotate your wheels! Though the spacer is not required, it pushes out the rear wheels towards the fender to help aesthetically.

18x10" ET33 fronts, 18x10" ET25 rears


Carbon Black E46 M3 with Anthracite EC-7s

Chassis: E46 M3
Wheel Model: APEX EC-7
Diameter/ width/ offset: 18x10" ET33/ 18x10" ET25
Tires: 285/30/18 Hoosier R6
Suspension: Ground Control S/A
Alignment (Camber/ Toe): -3.5 front, -2.0 rear, 0 toe
Fenders Rolled or Cut: N/A
Other Body modifications: N/A
Advice: This is an easier fitment for the front of the E46 M3, as it is not nearly as aggressive as the 18x10" ET25, though it still needs approximately -2.5 degrees of camber.
If you would like a squared setup, you can do 18x10" ET33 squared with a spacer in the rear so that you can rotate the wheels as well! Though the spacer is not required, it pushes out the rear wheels towards the fender to help aesthetically.

[lcrain]

Any limitations with brake setups with the 17s? Would they fit over stock zcp brakes?

[Eddy@ApexRaceParts]

Any limitations with brake setups with the 17s? Would they fit over stock zcp brakes?

The 17" wheels will clear both the OEM ZCP and non-ZCP e46 M3 brakes.

Here's another fitment! Added to the first post so it can easily be found as well!

17x9.5” ET35 squared


17x9.5" ET35 Concave Anthracite ARC-8's with 275/40/17 Nitto R-Compound tires


This 17x9.5" ET35 wheel set up only needs about -2.5 degrees of camber compared to the more aggressive 17x10" ET25 wheel set up that needs about -3.5 degrees in the front.


This 17x9.5" ET35 wheel set up only needs about -2.5 degrees of camber compared to the more aggressive 17x10" ET25 wheel set up that needs about -3.5 degrees in the front.


17x9.5" ET35 with a 15mm wheel spacer in the rear is an easy wheel fitment on the E46 M3.

Chassis: E46 M3
Wheel Model: ARC-8
Diameter/ width/ offset: 17x9.5" ET35 squared, 15mm spacers in rear
Tires: 275/40/17 Nitto R-Compound
Suspension: Ground Control S/A
Alignment (Camber/ Toe): -2.5 front, -1.5 rear, 0 toe
Fenders Rolled or Cut: Cut, but not necessary
Other Body modifications: N/A
Advice: Our concave 17" wheels provide huge benefits on the track and street compared to 18" wheels because of their lighter weight, lower tire costs, lower wheel costs, and more tire selection! These 17x9.5" ET35 ARC-8's can be used with either a 265/40/17 or a 275/40/17 tire with negative camber in the front. Those with KW suspension with progressive V-shaped springs may need a small spacer for the fronts to clear the spring perch, depending on ride height and tires. This width and offset is a popular choice for e46 M3s, not requiring any major fender or body modifications as required by more aggressive offsets. There is also less negative camber needed for these to clear the front fenders in comparison to the 17x10" ET25. Spacers are not required, though many people prefer to add a spacer (12mm or 15mm) for the rear to be pushed out closer to the fender. This wheel does not clear a front BBK on the e46 M3.

[lithium726]

Does a 255/40R18 fit in the front with an 18x9.5? It's a bit of a taller tire than the 265 or 275/35 and i'm not sure if I'd run into rubbing issues on the liner with the wheel pushed out that far.

[GG///M3]

What if you ran the 17 x 9.5's with 265/40/17's? What kind of alinement adjustments would need to be done?

[Eddy@ApexRaceParts]

Does a 255/40R18 fit in the front with an 18x9.5? It's a bit of a taller tire than the 265 or 275/35 and i'm not sure if I'd run into rubbing issues on the liner with the wheel pushed out that far.

The 255/40/18 is a very tall tire and will cause rubbing issues under full lock with OEM suspension, and will not clear the fenders especially when lowered. We would recommend the 255/35/18 tire size instead to avoid rubbing issues.

What if you ran the 17 x 9.5's with 265/40/17's? What kind of alinement adjustments would need to be done?

Depending on the type of tire you are trying to run, you would need between -1.5 degrees of camber to -2 degrees of camber, with the extreme summer tires requiring more camber for the fronts. The rear wheels would need the 12mm spacer to push out the wheel with the 17x9.5" ET35 ARC-8 to have the proper rear tract for the e46 M3.