I tried to search the answer to my question but I did not find anything. I currently have stock 17" crown-spoke wheels on my R56 with the JCW suspension. I had an alignment done few months ago when I had the JCW suspension installed. I am planning to get some light 18" wheels with new tires from TireRack in a few months. I plan to have TireRack mount and balance the new tires on the 18" rims. Can I just take off my old 17" wheels and put the new wheels/tires on without worrying about the alignment?

 

Sure no problem.

 

Ok cool! Thanks!

 

anyone on this? I had the same question. I just switched out my 16's for the winter set of 17's. i'd like to know also??? Additionally, do I have to rebalance the tires?

 

Unless the tire/rim change is going to greatly add or subtract ride height, there's no need for a new alignment.

You only have to rebalance tires if they're out of balance. You'll know they're out of balance if you feel vibrations at certain speeds.

Manish - why go for a larger rim for winter tires? People usually use a smaller rim with more sidewall and a thinner contact patch. This makes it easier to cut through the snow instead of slide on top of it. Just curious.

mb

Edit - I can't imagine any tire/rim change that would ever change the ride height enough to warrant an alignment, but that's just my imagination which may or may not be connected to reality.

 

It just worked out that way. The stocks are 16" OEM all seasons with about 6500 miles on them. I wanted to get 15's with snow tires, but I bought a used set of 17" rims already mounted with Blizzaks. So I just put them on because I dont want to buy 2 new set of tires. Too expensive for me right now. It sucks too, because I really like the way the 17's look and would rather have them on in the summer, instead of the 16's. So it all comes down to the money.

 

Even if it changed the ride height, you are just changing the size of the tires, not the length of struts or springs so the suspension geometry stays the same.