How much off set does a guy need to fill up the fender wells??

[ckingery1971]

I have a 2008 528XI and the OEM wheels are 17 inch/7.5 width, 5x120 bolt pattern with a 20mm off set. I am wanting to widen the stance of the car but dont know what size wheel/tire package I can get away with because of the all wheel drive. Can I put a 19 X 8.5 with 35mm offset? These are the swirling questions that go through my brain. Someone please tell me if my thinking is off. My brain tells me that the wider the rim, you dont need to have bigger offset? UG...

[pbonsalb]

The lower the number the closer to the fender lip. The higher the number, the closer to the frame of the car.

If you stayed with 20mm offset, but went 1.5 inches wides, the outside face of the wheel would be 0.75 inches or about 20mm, further out towards the fender lip.

[Jim@tirerack]

The tire will also have something to do with it as well. The alignment setting will also play into what works and what rubs. What you are proposing will actually only go out 1/2" further than it does now.
If I can help let me know.

[ckingery1971]

Thank you for the info..I was able to find a wheel calculator specific to my BMW and its telling that exact thing. A 20x8 inch wheel with a 30mm offset will move the face out 1 inch, and a 30mm about .81 inch. Now I just need to find out if the front will rub with the 35mm. I do not want to modify the suspension or wheel wells at all. It looks as though the front wheel wells dont have as much room as the back? Thanks again.

[Jim@tirerack]

We have 8.5 wheels with 30mm offset and they do not rub so you should be fine.