17x9.5 on e39

[Dusterbd]

First, will they clear without pulling the fenders, or flares, or wierd stuff like that?

Second, what would the backspace need to be to work the best?

Third, would 275/40/17 clear all the way around?

I have a set of these wheels with new tires in storage, but trying to figure out if/how to make them work. I know about the bolt pattern difference, but can fix that when i machine the adapters. (Good friends with a guy that lets me use his machine shop on occasion for really strange hot rod stuff.)

[shogun]

moved to E39 forum

[computiNATEor]

E39s have a 5x120 bolt pattern. Keep in mind that you will need to keep the rolling diameter of the tires very similar to the factory sizes. 275/40 R17 should be just fine for that.

The largest tires offered on the E39 were the 18x9.5 ET22s that came on the back of the E39 M5. They utilized 275/35 R18 tires.

Using the 18x9.5 ET22s with 275s on the back of non-M5 E39s can result in rubbing on the rear fenders and fender liners; the M5 actually has trimmed fender liners and rolled fender lips from the factory, IIRC. Your 17x9.5 wheels in the rear should fit ok, presuming you use 275/40 R17 rubber and have a spacer that results in a net ET22. Again, you may experience rubbing under full compression.

In the front, the largest tires were again from the M5. The M5 came with 18x8 front wheels, equipped with 245/40 R18s. M5 rear wheels can fit on the front with a 3-5mm spacer so the tire clears the factory front strut/spring assembly. Fender rolling may be required if the effective ET is much more than 20. I'd stick with a 5mm spacer on a 9.5 inch wide wheel.

I've found this website to be extremely useful for me when I'm looking at different wheel and tire combinations.
http://www.tire-size-calculator.info

[nauqneyugn]

I run 265/40/18 all around on an 18x9.5 wheel with net ET14.5 in the front (to clear the coilover spring perch) and ET19 in the rear without any rubbing on my wagon.