BMW Rallying Forum

I know that I should be buying proper motorsport wheels, but that isn't happening yet.

So what are the strongest factory 15" wheels for my Compact?

I currently have/have access to the following wheels in 15":
Style 27;
Style 32;
Style 34;
Style 46.

http://www.bmwstylewheels.com


My preference is the Style 46s because they are 6.5" wide (all of the others are 7.0").

Any input? Previous experience has taught me that some genuine wheels are pretty tough, some are as soft as butter....The shiny finish on the Style 46s make me nervous.

I would go for at least 7" on the front and 8" on the rear, but depends on engine and power you have.

Cheers

HI,
We have used 27 for tarmac and 46 for forest or wet. 46 are very light.
we have bent a couple of 27 at Melbourne going over a 3" concrete step with slicks on at about 70.
27s look nice!
Otherwise no problems.

Bimsy wrote:I would go for at least 7" on the front and 8" on the rear, but depends on engine and power you have.

Cheers

Stock M44 on gravel doesn't want to have to turn 8" rims!
Or the tyres that fit on 8" rims.

Overthelimit wrote:HI,
We have used 27 for tarmac and 46 for forest or wet. 46 are very light.
we have bent a couple of 27 at Melbourne going over a 3" concrete step with slicks on at about 70.
27s look nice!
Otherwise no problems.

So no dramas will bending 46s?

So far no.
The gravel tyres are higher profile so there is a bit more give before the rim hits the rock or whatever you're driving over!

FWIW: I bent a Style 32 without noticeably hitting anything.
Could be dismissed as bad luck or something, but it was very easy to bend back.

Style 32s are to now on my "avoid for gravel" list.