E32 Tire Sizing in 2020

[rbelton]

Hey everyone, what are you running for tire sizes on stock 15'' wheels?

The stock size is 225/60R15 but there are very few options in this size in 2020.

It looks like moving to a 215/65R15 opens up the tire options to maybe 12 different ones compared to 3 or 4.

Does anyone have photos of how the 215/65R15 looks on an e32?

[Cactuar]

Hi, here are a few threads I had bookmarked that will hopefully help with tire choices:

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...uot-Stock-Rims

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...-sizes-for-E32

http://bmwe32.masscom.net/johan/information/wheels.html

http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main/Upgrad...ls_upgrade.htm

[rbelton]

Thanks for the links. I have also considered moving to a 17'' wheel, better tire options and more response/stability could be worth it.

[moroza]

Cooper makes a well-regarded 225/60R15 (CS5 Ultra Touring). General Altimax RT43 has decent reviews as well. 235/60R15 clears a lowered E34 so it should fit an E32, and there are a few options in that size. I have 215/65R15 on my E34 and they look and feel a bit small, with mushy turn-in response; would not recommend for an E32.

17" and 16" will have many more options. I ran 17x8 MSystems on my previous E34, and at least one from each of the following 17" sizes fit without any clearance issues: 225/50, 235/45, 245/40, 245/45. I prefer the first and the last; slightly bigger OD.

[paulmer]

Sigh. I love the look of the Style 3s on my car, but I really don't like the handling capabilities of the Cooper tires I have. And you can't even buy the Coopers anymore, so the current choices seem even worse. I hear my tires scream for traction when I gently bring the car to a stop while descending a sharp hill. It's pathetic.. Maybe I got too used to my old E32 which had 18x8.5 with 245 ft and 265 rear tires...

The way forward seems to move to a 17 inch wheel. 16 inches are nice as they are probably very little sacrifice to NVH, but I bet they will go the way of the dodo bird before too long, just like 15s. I could move to 17x8 MSystems or another period correct 17 inch wheel, gain a lot more tire options and performance. I would really miss the aesthetic of the Style 3s, though...

I just want to keep the car as stock as possible. I think with a 17x8 wheel, the ride height wouldn't be appropriate, so I would need to installer harsher springs, etc.. Really not sure what compromise to make here

[RobertRO]

The way forward seems to move to a 17 inch wheel. 16 inches are nice as they are probably very little sacrifice to NVH, but I bet they will go the way of the dodo bird before too long, just like 15s.

For long term (e.g. 5+ years), I agree, 17 inch wheels may be a better bet in terms of availability of quality / performance tires.
However, I still believe that 16 inch wheels with 225/55x16 tires are the "sweet spot" choice for E32. True, performance summer tires in that size are virtually gone.

But, as of writing this, there's a plethora of modern 225/55x16 touring tires available. And they are more than up to the job, for an E32.
More, this very tire size (225/55x16) was still stock for some BMW F30/F31 3 series models (see BMW p/n 85452548250 or 85452549057), manufactured as recent as 2015.
Based on the above, it is expectable to have them in the market for some good years from now on.

[moroza]

I really don't like the handling capabilities of the Cooper tires I have.

Which Coopers are these?

I would need to installer harsher springs, etc.. Really not sure what compromise to make here

You can probably get away with some E34 springs; the fitment is the same, only the rate and height vary (slightly). Also, you may be interested in this.

[m60power]

Sigh. I love the look of the Style 3s on my car, but I really don't like the handling capabilities of the Cooper tires I have. And you can't even buy the Coopers anymore, so the current choices seem even worse. I hear my tires scream for traction when I gently bring the car to a stop while descending a sharp hill. It's pathetic.. Maybe I got too used to my old E32 which had 18x8.5 with 245 ft and 265 rear tires...

The way forward seems to move to a 17 inch wheel. 16 inches are nice as they are probably very little sacrifice to NVH, but I bet they will go the way of the dodo bird before too long, just like 15s. I could move to 17x8 MSystems or another period correct 17 inch wheel, gain a lot more tire options and performance. I would really miss the aesthetic of the Style 3s, though...

I just want to keep the car as stock as possible. I think with a 17x8 wheel, the ride height wouldn't be appropriate, so I would need to installer harsher springs, etc.. Really not sure what compromise to make here

How about BMW Style 15 wheels with 225/55r16 tires? They are 16x7.5 ET20 and they have a somewhat similar aesthetic to the original Style 3.

[CamE32]

I have a set of Nankang 225/60R15s that I'm waiting to install after replacing the front shocks - https://www.walmart.com/ip/Nankang-S...-Tire/55180194

They are pretty much the only V rated tire in the stock tire size, from the research I did (at least in the USA)

I will report back on how they perform. Reviews are promising. I don't really care if they don't last very long (especially at the price point), I just want solid handling.

The ones I ordered in August were manufactured in May, so that's a plus at least... not old stock lying around.

[rbelton]

Cheap Nankang's not be a bad option to hold it over until some 17's can be found, maybe the two piece style 5 e39 wheels.

Found this beauty on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/B0a--jHn8C-/

[letank]

kumho ecsta Ls Platinum for the 15", rated 96V, for the last few years, probably less than 2K miles... not much travel lately... decent tires, made in Korea.

As for 17"... option... we had a loaner during the power steering debacle... a 228i with 19", with 40psi... what a terrible ride, very loud and we could feel all the bumps and dips on the freeway... and we only did 30miles at one time, my back was sore for 24hrs...

[rbelton]

These look pretty good as a winter set on the OE wheels...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-New-Toyo-...5/383675015581