Is this too low an offset?

Hey everyone, new here. Just bought a 2000 328ci with 94k km a month ago. Got some new wheels/tires, but think I made a mistake...

I got a set of replica wheels that are 17x7.5 with an 18 offset on 225/45/17 tires. The guy at the tire shop said the offset options were 18 or 41. I took the 18 thinking it would push the wheels out, and he said it would but that it may rub if you turned to full lock, which i'm fine with.

Wheels & tires were put on today and they look fantastic, pretty much flush with the wheel wells. When driving though, at around 50 - 60km/hr the steering wheel shakes a bit, but smoothes out above or below that speed. When going 80 - 100km/hr and hitting the brakes (light or hard doesn't matter), the steering wheel shakes a fair bit.

With the old wheels/tires there was a touch of steering wheel shake because a wheel or two was bent, but i've never had the shaking while braking.

Car is completely stock other than the new wheels. My questions are:

1) Is that offset too low for a 7.5 wide wheel? Should I try and exchange for the higher offset wheels?
2) With the steering wheel shaking now, would that be a bad balance or because I now need an alignment?

Suggestions?

those are m3 offsets...i think you should be in the 35-45 range

offset is borderline but may be ok for a coupe with 7.5" width wheels.

shaking is most likely due to front control arm bushings being shot.

Shaking is unrelated to the offsets.

Could be wheel weights, bent/out of spec rims, or the rest of your suspension.

Shaking is probably FCABs.

7.5 squared is too skinny regardless...

Originally Posted by tuscan1205

7.5 squared is too skinny regardless...

I know right?

That M325CI is making so much power such puny tires can't hook up!!

Should have gone with 9's in front, 10's in back with 40 offset

wheels are fine - if they dont rub they ok
check wishbone bushes
7.5" is only too narrow if you find yourself losing grip all the time
wider tyres = more money, more grip, more fuel

Check the center hub size...

I see that this is an old thread that got bumped, but just in case he didn't get things figured out (and for the next person with a similar question).......

Dave here is the correct answer for you, without any nonsense like some of the above.....those wheels will fit great. It sticks out only 2 more millimeters than a 9.5" et45 wheel which is recommended for sedans. You have a coupe with something like 5 more millimeters of clearance. So, these offsets were the correct ones you chose for you car. They will stick out more than the factory wheels, which have the "dog with his tail between the legs" look. It's gonna look good as far as fitment goes. Use a 225 width tire.

As for shaking, the only person right about what was causing that is ac_007, post #4. But look in to what Nerdy said as well because it is a good point, if the hub bore is too large it would more than likely cause the wheel to wobble too.

I like my 195 60 15 tires.
Economical choice for a rolling junk e46 that I drive.

18 is ok. I had 15 offset in summer.
That rubs on every bump.