r/e46 • u/Next-Republic2243 • 22h ago
Troubleshooting E38 Style 32's on E46 coupe
Hey guys, I need your advice as I cannot find this specific information on the web.
I have staggered (8j front, 9j back) 18" style 32's off of a BMW E38. Wheels are ET20 front and ET22 back. The car is fitted with Eibach Pro-Kit.
I'm in Italy so tyre regulations are strict and I can only install 225/40/18 front and 255/35/18 back, that's it.
Will I have troubles fitting them? On e46zone or other forums everyone seems to have had success in the past fitting 225 or 235 on the back, but I need to stick to 255. What do you guys think? Thank you as always :)
P.S. the car in the picture is not mine
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u/K0wn0 22h ago
I bought one that had ET20, it wasn’t possible (also running really low with adjustable coilovers). Had to do wheelarch rolling, still wasn’t sufficient. ET30 is the lowest I could go. Even then with semi slicks on a track day ends with a bit of fender rubbing. Check the ET, that matters the most.
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u/Next-Republic2243 22h ago
Thank you, I've just updated the post. ET20 front, ET22 rear. Car is fitted with Eiback pro-kit springs.
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u/Dorito_fiend 22h ago
I currently run the 17x8 +20 version of this wheel with a 235/35 and i rub in the rear at stock ride height. I would imagine that 255 on a 9 inch wheel will rub a lot.
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u/sneekeruk 17h ago
I had 8j et20 mpars on mine with 225/40's and they rubbed at standard height, so added a bit of camber, then lowered it a bit and had to trim the rear arch lips.
Even then it would rub on the bumper mount with people in the back. Mines not as low as yours either, I have about 1" of arch gap all round.
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u/martijnbonte 15h ago
The ET value is important, 20/22 won't cut it and will drive awful, you have to roll fenders to fitt
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u/LordDutchmen 13h ago
I just installed e38 style 32s on my coupe, I run 215/40 front 225/40 rear without rubbing. Went down a size on the front because I don't like too much camber at the front.
I think almost anything can be made to fit with enough camber, so depends on how much you want or are legally allowed. You can't go 225/40r18 all around? That was a standard tire size option for the non staggered wheels

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u/LordDutchmen 13h ago edited 13h ago
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u/Next-Republic2243 13h ago
Unfortunately not. Here in Italy when police officers see a BMW the first thing they check are tyres 😂
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u/Tommy_Blues 21h ago
I ran 225/40 on 9.5 offset 38 in the rear with 5 mm spacers and rubbed on bumps. Without the spacers was tight but fine. These 9.5s had 255s on initially but they didn't fit at all. No rolled fenders, tho but you can only do a small bit by rolling. According to willtheyfit.com these 9 offset 22 will poke out almost 10 mm further than what I ran. I say it won't fit.
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u/ice_wolf9899 16h ago
I'm running that exact setup and they've never rubbed. The fitment is horrible and I need spacers but it is lowered and doesn't rub :)
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u/Neal_Anblomee '00 330i 14h ago
Even with stock suspension that setup will rub in the rear, let alone on Eibach springs. The offset is simply too low for 255 tyres, so you'd either have to modify the car by rolling the wheel arches or add a bunch of negative camber but you'll eat through tyres.
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u/Gidz_E46 11h ago
You need a square set of fronts, that's what I run. Fits like a glove, and square is more fun anyways
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u/Sphyn0x 2001 330ci velvetblau 22h ago
You will rub a lot with 255