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Thread: 18" or 19" wheels for '95 E31?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    Thousand Oaks, CA
    Posts
    18
    My Cars
    1995 BMW 840ci

    18" or 19" wheels for '95 E31?

    I have had my '95 840ci for about 1.5 years and so I am still learning a lot about my car. Recently I learned that the 245/30/20 front tires I have not do not meet the load capacity for the car. Now that I have to buy new tires, I am stuck as no reputable shop will install a 30-series tire in the front with the 20" wheels I have on there now. So basically, I have to purchase a new set of smaller diameter size wheels.

    I would like to keep the staggered setup but my question is...should I purchase 18" or 19" wheels? I would like to prioritize performance over appearance so I am assuming 18" wheels are probably the way to go but I wanted to get some thoughts and opinions from the forum.

    Thanks!

    Here's a picture of my current setup:

    Front: 245/30/20
    Rear: 275/30/20

    BMW_H.JPG
    BMW_G.JPG

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    West London/Heathrow - UK
    Posts
    7,203
    My Cars
    03 530dT - Ex Police Car
    Hi,

    You'll need to search for more knowledgeable, experienced and qualified wheel/tyre specialists with the right tools and machines etc to mount/dismount tyres properly. You have an E31 and plenty of other owners run 20 inch wheels/tyres no problem at all. You are in Thousand Oaks, just up the road from LA and there's plenty of places there if you can't find any locally. You'll be able to get the correct size/load rating tyres fitted no problem. Perhaps ask in the dedicated E31 section on this and other forums for recommendations near to you initially and then look to LA.

    If you still want to go to 18 or 19 inch wheels, then that's of course possible and it's then your choice on which sizing and wheel style/setup to go for. There's many many choices ranging from the usual BMW wheels, to entry/budget level wheels, upto BMW tuner wheels and then custom 2/3 piece ones like what you have on already. Budget is for you to evaluate as well of course.

    Cheers, Dennis!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    Thousand Oaks, CA
    Posts
    18
    My Cars
    1995 BMW 840ci
    Thanks Dennis. I appreciate the info. It does look like I would have to look around the LA around to go with bigger wheels. Thanks again.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Japan
    Posts
    54,654
    My Cars
    11/88 E32 750iL+98 E36M3
    moved to E31 forum
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Dallas, TX
    Posts
    17
    My Cars
    1991 BMW 850i
    My 1991850i has 2011 M5 wheels with 10 spikes. Looks great, really great with the 19’s. However I have to be careful on potholes and have had 2 rims repaired at $135.00 each. Not a bad price. Using 30’s and 35’s tires. I maintained the same overall height as stock tires so everything works well. Website Tirerack.com has a size matching web page. Remember bmw are hub centric. Factory rims are good forged units

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Santa Barbara
    Posts
    3,462
    My Cars
    91 Dinan860 & 91 850 6sp
    Your tire shops have done you a favor, really.
    Find an appropriate set of 18" wheels and enjoy.
    Far better ride, far less headaches, and (in most owner's opinion) far better looking.
    '91 Dinan 860 Stage III (new 6L engine)
    '91 Dinan 850 TT stage III (brand new engine) 21st Century Tech meets 18th Century Dinan...
    '91 850i 6sp (mint) (sold)
    '90 Dinan 750iL TT stage III (Guido - The Beast)
    '94 850 CSi The Detroit Auto Show car (restored to factory perfect) (sold)
    '96 850Ci, The George Carlin car
    ''73 3.0 csi, '08 535i, '03 X5 4.6is
    ...and a few other non BMW cars

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Ridley Park, PA
    Posts
    198
    My Cars
    91 850i x2, 92 850i 6sp
    If you can spare the scratch, go with mk1’s they’re staggered and they’re 18’s. Plus performance wise you can’t really find a more perfect rim upgrade. Pic for sexy reference.
    CBA13DB1-B0D5-4ACC-8DF6-EBECF97889DE.jpg

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