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[Subw00er]

Ok I am starting to over-analyze this stuff and need help.

I've read that the recommended size rims from BMW for winter use is 18x8 ET20 with 235/40-18 tires. However, I have a preference towards handling over snow cutting, so I am choosing a square setup of 245/40-18 which is closer to my OEM 18" widths and I will use the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3's. I thought about doing staggered, but I like the ability to be able to rotate tires each season to maximize tire life and I think the 245 is close enough to the rear stock size that I wont notice really.

So the question is.. if I know what tire I'm buying, and I know I want M6 repo wheels, what SIZE wheels should I get??? I started going crazy with offsets and rim sizes, so I put the data from the four available M6 Repo wheel sizes that made the most sense into Excel:

Hopefully my maths are correct!!

*(positive # indicates the movment (in millimeters) will be towards the outside of the car, negative # will move the rim in towards the suspension)
**(offset calculator: http://www.gtsparkplugs.com/WheelOffsetCalc.html )

It would appear to me that instead of using a 18x8 ET20 as recommended by BMW (which to maintain the rear stance requires a 15mm spacer), I instead should use the 18x8.5 20ET for these reasons:

• Requires a smaller rear spacer to maintain the oem look, but could probably get away without one for winter, its only 10mm.
• It pushes the front out 9mm, which to me seems good because they are pushed in a bit on the OEM rims anyway (only negative to this is that a bit more snow may get thrown up the side of the car, but thats ok w/me).
• I am using a 245 width tire and 8.5 is a more appropriate size to use instead of 8.0.
• The slightly wider rim may give a bit more of a concave dish look to the rim, which I like.

The only "bad" thing to me is that the rims are the new ones from **********s and I haven't seen anyone using them yet - they are not the Mira branded ones, but a style that **********s rebrands (basically no-name China brand I would guess). I'm sure they are fine/strong/whatever, but just something I'm thinking about. Here is the link to them: http://www.**********s.com/**********s_M6Wheels.html
[IMG]http://www.**********s.com/images/Products/**********s%20Wheels/MBM6%20Sil%20E60%2020in%20Sil-GM%201.jpg[/IMG]

So, is my logic correct? I am new to wheel/tire sizes but I'm learning!

[King Tut]

Go with the 18x8.5 +20. They will work great with a 245 wide tire and if the rears being tucked in a little bother you too much go ahead and add the spacer.