You'll be fine running a 205/50/17 spare with the rest of the tires being 225/45/17. From an AWD standpoint, what really matters is the comparison between revs per mile, which are nearly identical between the two tire sizes.

 

Full disclosure: I’m certified OCD since I want the spare rim to match the four style 96s mounted on the car. Any further thoughts? Thanks!

 

If you're asking if the 225/45/17 on a style 96 wheel will fit in the spare tire well in the trunk, it definitely will.

There is enough space back there to fit a full size wheel and tire, as it was a factory option instead of the steel spare. My sedan came with an extra matching wheel and tire from the factory in that same size, and it's in my trunk right now.

 

If you're asking if the 225/45/17 on a style 96 wheel will fit in the spare tire well in the trunk, it definitely will.

There is enough space back there to fit a full size wheel and tire, as it was a factory option instead of the steel spare. My sedan came with an extra matching wheel and tire from the factory in that same size, and it's in my trunk right now.

That was my concern and you addressed it spot on. Thanks much!

 

Just got out of work so I took some pics.

Fits under the lid in the trunk just fine.

 

Mark, I didn't want hijack this thread, but I have a question that I can't answer. In your first photo, I'm trying to find a PN for the round, foam-covered thing attached to the top of the hold-down bolt. I tried RealOEM with several different years of 325, 330, and M3 models. In every case, that part was greyed out. If you have a nomenclature or a PN, please let me know!

 

Thanks again!

 

While looking for that foam PN I noticed there are two different part numbers for the cover over the spare tire well.

One appears to have a bulge upward. Real OEM lists it's needed for style 43, 29, and 44 wheels. I'm thinking maybe the foam is there to account for the added height of the cover?

And it also makes me second guess if the style 96 wheel would fit an XI without that raised style cover. My car is a 325i and came with wider wheels than the Xi's. So may also have a different cover.

RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog

BMW parts 3' E46 325i Trunk trim panel

www.realoem.com

 

While looking for that foam PN I noticed there are two different part numbers for the cover over the spare tire well.

One appears to have a bulge upward. Real OEM lists it's needed for style 43, 29, and 44 wheels. I'm thinking maybe the foam is there to account for the added height of the cover?

And it also makes me second guess if the style 96 wheel would fit an XI without that raised style cover. My car is a 325i and came with wider wheels than the Xi's. So may also have a different cover.

RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog

BMW parts 3' E46 325i Trunk trim panel

www.realoem.com

I just looked at RealOEM and FCP--both plastic covers are 50mm in height, so it shouldn't matter. Might have just been differences in the product descriptions. Plus, if you add the foam, you add distance that the bulged cover otherwise would have had. Just a matter of test-fitting and adjusting. Seems this is a part that was probably overlooked on the details. I'm running Style 44s, and am getting five new tires next month, four plus a full-size spare that I'll store in the trunk. I think my suicide spare has dry-rotted by now, and the air inside dates back to the reign of the Pharos.

 

Just checked my car and it has the cover with the raised section PN 51478266559

 

Just checked my car and it has the cover with the raised section PN 51478266559

View attachment 985254
View attachment 985253

Cap appears same in my 2003 330xi. Cover, however, is not.