18" wheel and tire combinations w/PICS

**WhoNew** · 03-29-2010, 07:17 PM

Okay guys, so I just purchased a set of 18" style 95's with tires. The fronts were too tall, and the rears are just too big. They are 8.5" wide with ET15

Fronts=235/50ZR18
Rears =255/45ZR18

Now the rears did fit, but after being on the car for 3 days they are rubbing (rear fenders are rolled). And to get the fronts to work, I spent some cash on a set of used 225/40ZR18's. It just looks funny to me. Like I said the rears are too big, and now the fronts too small. I thought it would grow on me, but it isn't.

Two things here. What size 18" tires are you running (with pics please)
And does my car look funny with these tires ?

Thanks guys.

**snake109** · 03-29-2010, 07:22 PM

the problem with those rims is they are from a HUGE car (e65/ e66) IMO 18's are just a little too big for e34's

**UberFunfer** · 03-29-2010, 07:27 PM

Looks a bit goofy, IMO. Rears might look better with lower profile tires.

**RustE34** · 03-29-2010, 07:33 PM

i agree, rears need lower pro tires, and front at least needs to be lowered to get rid of monster truck status.

**Fugitive5** · 03-29-2010, 07:39 PM

The sidewalls are too tall all the way around, not the propper plus size. Tire Rack says 235/ 40 - 18 unless you do a staggered set=up with 8.5 width rims in front and 9.5 in out back in which case you'd go 235/40 - 18 front and 265/35 - 18 in back.

If all 4 of your rims are 8.5 inches wide, I'd stick with 235/40 - 18's all the way around.

**bfp9** · 03-29-2010, 07:40 PM

hmmm always wondered what those rims looked like on our cars....if only your car had a drop. Why don't you run a 225/40/18 all the way around and then drop the car? that will make the front look less goofy with that tire gap. and the rear will be perfect with that low profile tire. Also i am assuming this set isn't staggered....? But you need a drop.

**MaxSteel** · 03-29-2010, 07:42 PM

Wait... your wheels are 18x18.5 all around? Why are you running such funky tire sizes? Just run the same size all around. Something like 235/40/18 is similar diameter to the stock wheels.

Here are mine.

18x8 wheel with 215/45/18
18x9 wheel with 245/40/18

Originally Posted by snake109

the problem with those rims is they are from a HUGE car (e65/ e66) IMO 18's are just a little too big for e34's

Nevar!!!!

**sfgearhead** · 03-29-2010, 07:42 PM

It does have that 70's muscle car look. But it doesn't work.

Good suggestions above, it should look fine with a matched set front/rear. 225/40 or 235/40.

**bfp9** · 03-29-2010, 07:43 PM

I need eurotrim for my car. That makes the car look sooo much cleaner. Maxsteel, sweeeeet rims and car.

**black740ia** · 03-29-2010, 07:59 PM

Style 95's were 19 inch...are yours reps

**Xtremeracing17** · 03-29-2010, 08:04 PM

I run Fronts 225/40/18
Rear 255/40/18 I will change the fronts later to 225/45/18 to finish the look i was going for..... Also a newbe here... What ya think.....Dammmmm Photos aint working... I guess you can do a visual... on a 99 528i.. One 3/4 inch gap between tire and fairing...

Forgot to mention the rims are staggered. 9s in rear 8s in front

**googone20** · 03-29-2010, 09:05 PM

225/45/18's are still a bit tall. If you have 9" rears then go with a 255/35/18. That is the match for 225/40/18's. Get yourself some lowering springs and it will look really clean. Also some clear corner tails will clean up your car.

**WhoNew** · 03-29-2010, 09:44 PM

Originally Posted by snake109

the problem with those rims is they are from a HUGE car (e65/ e66) IMO 18's are just a little too big for e34's

I disagree, they look sick, it's the tires that make it look funny. If the 3 series guys can run 19's.......

Originally Posted by Fugitive5

The sidewalls are too tall all the way around, not the proper plus size. Tire Rack says 235/ 40 - 18 unless you do a staggered set=up with 8.5 width rims in front and 9.5 in out back in which case you'd go 235/40 - 18 front and 265/35 - 18 in back.
If all 4 of your rims are 8.5 inches wide, I'd stick with 235/40 - 18's all the way around.

I am looking to run a square set-up. I know what the "recommended" tire size is, but they are the same size as the 15's (in height) which really didn't fill out the wheel wells. The fronts look much too short, and are shorter (sidewall) than the recommended 235/40's

Originally Posted by MaxSteel

Wait... your wheels are 18x8.5 all around? Why are you running such funky tire sizes? Just run the same size all around. Something like 235/40/18 is similar diameter to the stock wheels.
Here are mine.
18x8 wheel with 215/45/18
18x9 wheel with 245/40/18
Nevar!!!!

Your car looks really good. REALLY GOOD, but I want a bit more of the wheel well filled out......
ALSO, what springs/shock set-up are you running ?? And I agree !!! NEVAR !!!!

Originally Posted by black740ia

Style 95's were 19 inch...are yours reps

YES, yes I know, and with E39 fitment

Originally Posted by googone20

225/45/18's are still a bit tall. If you have 9" rears then go with a 255/35/18. That is the match for 225/40/18's. Get yourself some lowering springs and it will look really clean. Also some clear corner tails will clean up your car.

225/45/18's have a 4" sidewall, and are 1/2" taller than the stock 205/65/15's, but isn't that a bit too narrow for 8.5" rims ?

I need smoked corners and red/clear tails, and euro trim and smileys, and a whole bunch of other stuff, but I have to get rid of the 4X4 look first..... it's bugging the crap out of me !!
Thank you for all of the input guys !! Anymore pics ?

**Xtremeracing17** · 03-29-2010, 10:50 PM

If i can get these photos up and running...

its weirding me out...Guess will need my brother to help me again...When i get it going then

**t.wak** · 03-30-2010, 03:18 AM

18" style 32s for.the.win.

**M Quick** · 03-30-2010, 03:48 AM

225, 235, 245, or 255 works fine with 8.5" wide wheels.

I'm going for 225/40/18 fronts togheter with 255/35/18 rears.

I don't know how you can do that large wheels as is, i have tryed 245/45/18 without being able to load the car with more than myself. I guess you can't turn the wheels in the front as much as with stocks? And the rears must be slammin'.. even with rolled fenders, i had rolled fenders..

**gtopaul** · 03-30-2010, 09:10 AM

18" Style 59 Z8 wheels. ET 20 8" front and ET 22 9" back. Perfect offset for the E34. 235/40/ZR18 front and 265/35/ZR18 back.

**jbondbmw** · 03-30-2010, 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by gtopaul

18" Style 59 Z8 wheels. ET 20 8" front and ET 22 9" back. Perfect offset for the E34. 235/40/ZR18 front and 265/35/ZR18 back.

Those must be wild money since they are off the Z8. They look great though.

**LouieD** · 03-30-2010, 10:11 AM

18x8.5 et20, front and rear. Fronts 245/40/18 and rear 265/35/18.

**WhoNew** · 03-30-2010, 11:21 AM

T.Wak --- what size tires are you running ?

Miche --- the fronts are tiny 225/40/18's lock to lock with no rub.

I LOVE the tourings. 245/40/18's on the front of LouieD's is the look i want. Not a tiny sidwall, and fills the wheel well out nicely. Thanks LouieD for the pics.

qtopaul --- WIDE rear tires !! they clear the inner strut's okay ? No spacers ?

**googone20** · 03-30-2010, 11:29 AM

I am running 225/40/18 front and 255/35/18 rears. My rims are 18x8.5 and 18x10's with 15mm front and 20mm rear spacers(not pictured). I have already purchased coilovers to delete my 4x4 status.

**WhoNew** · 03-30-2010, 11:38 AM

HAHA !! googone20, I know how you feel... we would fit right in with the monster truck crowd......... How do you like the 225/40's ?? That is what I have on the front of mine too, and they look awkward to me. Too little sidewall.

**googone20** · 03-30-2010, 12:47 PM

I like my tires sizes. I had 245/40/18 and 275/35/18's on my previous E34. I knew I was going to coilovers with this car so I went with stretched tires to give me more perch clearance and so I could space the rims out more for a aggressive stance.