PLEASE READ BEFORE POST: The ultimate wheel/tire fitment thread.

[Jim@tirerack]

darrenforeal,

Those tire sizes would be the best. You are also going to need centering rings for the wheels. Just give me a call if I can help with the tires and rings.

[darrenforeal]

darrenforeal,

Those tire sizes would be the best. You are also going to need centering rings for the wheels. Just give me a call if I can help with the tires and rings.

Cool thanks. I have the rings now but, they are plastic and on the verge of breaking so I may need some new ones. Are yours metal or plastic?

Also,the tires I am looking at are the Sumitomo HTR Z III. But I am totally open to different options. I am in Socal so I think I can get away with Summer tires year round. I have Nexen N3000 right now, and they are ok. I guess I want something relatively in that price range. Any thoughts?

[Jim@tirerack]

The HTRZ III and the Hankook Ventus V12 Evo would both be good options without braking the bank. If I can help just let me know.

[Nijapo]

I am a day away from picking up a set of Style 70 wheels w/ Michelin All-season 235/55/17 tires. After much searching I could find absolutely no information on the Style 70 wheels. So, if any of you are in the know, will they fit my Z3 Coupe?

[explicitxazian]

BBS LM-R 19x9.5 et 23 all around on a 2 dr e36 500hp.

What do you guys think of this fitment? can i get some suggestions?

[Jim@tirerack]

Coupe_Envy,

My guess is those wheels are for a 7 Series and are not going to fit the car. The tires are not going to fit at all.

[Jim@tirerack]

explicitxazian,

There are not going to fit without modification. The offset is about 1" too low and with the 9.5 width even with the correct offset you would need to roll the fenders and run more negative camber.

[Turbo Squid]

I'm glad I stumbled on this thread.

So, I have a '99 E36 M3 with Ground Control (Eibach Springs + Koni Yellows)

I want 18" diameter wheels all around.

I'd like to fit a 10" wheel in the back. Fenders are already a little rolled from the one time I had 19"x9.5" all around the car (gahhh, stupid big )

If I were to order a set of wheels to spec (offset / lip / etc...) what would I need in order to fit that kind of width in the rear with no clearance issues?

I wouldn't mind a little stretch in the rear either, I sort of like that look. (I don't want it too wild though.)

Thanks guys!

[Nijapo]

Jim, thanks for the help. Where could I find information on BMW Factory wheels. I'd really llike to know where to look up specs.

-Nick

[darrenforeal]

Hey Jim, are yours guys' tire prices going up on November 1st? I heard most tire companies are raising their prices 6.5% on the first of November due to the increase of rubber costs. Specifically, are the Sumitomos going up? I probably have around 2 months left on my current tires. So I am trying to wait as long as possible.

[Jim@tirerack]

Hi darren,

I don't show anything across the board for increase. I have also heard the prices were going up. Let me know what size and I can try to check.

[djvandrake]

Hi. Forgive my ignorance but I've got a problem with my car that I'm not sure how to solve.

I recently (6 months ago) bought a 2001 530i E39 and I really enjoy the car. It came with a set of 18" non-factory wheels, and the tires were about shot. So I got a new set because I had to, Eagle GT's at 245/45 R18's. (the size on the car already). I'm not real happy with the tires but the alarming thing is I burned the back tires down to zero tread in only 5600 miles. It was even wear on both back tires. Just before I got the new tires I had to replace the rear ball joints, right rear control arm, and the front tie rods. I then got a professional alignment so it's spot on. It should not be a suspension problem.

Looking in the door jam of my car I see the BMW recommended wheels and tires are: Front, 235/45 R17 and Rear, 255/40 R17.

Could that fact that I have 18" wheels and the same tire size all around be causing the accelerated wear on the back tires? I do notice the front drivers side rubs when I'm turning hard right so there's got to be some sort of fit issue with my car? My driving style is "spirited" but certainly not aggressive enough to cause a new tires to wear down to nothing in 5,600 miles. I've never burned or spun them out.

Any advice appreciated. Thanks.

[darrenforeal]

Hi darren,

I don't show anything across the board for increase. I have also heard the prices were going up. Let me know what size and I can try to check.

Sure. Sumitomo HTR Z III. Two 235/40/18 and two 265/35/18. Thanks!

[Jim@tirerack]

I do not list anything happening on those sizes. I list 122.00 and 176.00 and both of them went up earlier in the year. If I can help just let me know.

[darrenforeal]

I do not list anything happening on those sizes. I list 122.00 and 176.00 and both of them went up earlier in the year. If I can help just let me know.

great thanks! Hopefully I'll be ordering some soon!

[Jasony0228]

I have 1995 m3 and it's lower on koni and h&r sport
I just bought a set of BBS RX
17x8 et10
17x9 et32
I want to know what is the correct tire size for e36 fitment
Is it possible i run 235/40/17 square set up?

[Jim@tirerack]

Jasony0228,

Those wheels are not going to fit the car without modification to the fenders. I am not sure why you want to run a 17X9 and then run 235/40R17 and the 17X8 in the front. The 17X8 ET10 is going to stick out 1 1/4" farther than the stock wheels.

[Jasony0228]

uh... So wut will be the right tire size? I will roll my fender

[jmr73188]

uh... So wut will be the right tire size? I will roll my fender

Hah. It would have to be an extreme roll and maybe fender pulling along with stretched tires to get the 17x9 et32 to fit. You will not get the 17x8 et10 to fit. If you want to get them to fit, I think you will have to cut your fender or lift your car above stock ride height.

[scottg]

That's not true... On mt last M3 I ran 18x9 +35 with 255/35s square with no mods in the front and a SLIGHT roll in the rear... No rubbing

alignment was exactly fromthe "definitive e36 alignment"
f camber @ -2.5* / r camber @ -2.0*

I will be fitting 17x9 BBS RX on all 4 corners to my avus 95 within the next 2 weeks. The plan is to run 245/40R17s .... Pics to follow

the 17x8 et 10 isn't happening easily though without roll+camber+stretch

[jmr73188]

That's not true... On mt last M3 I ran 18x9 +35 with 255/35s square with no mods in the front and a SLIGHT roll in the rear... No rubbing

alignment was exactly fromthe "definitive e36 alignment"
f canber @ -2.5* / r camber @ -2.0*

I will be fitting 17x9 BBS RX on all 4 corners to my avus 95 within the next 2 weeks. The plan is to run 245/40R17s .... Pics to follow

Not every e36 is exactly the same. I had an E36 that fit 18x9 ET30 in the rear with no modifications, but my current M3 has 18x8.5 et 38 in the rear with 225/35 tires and rolled fenders and it still rubs sometimes.

[Jasony0228]

That's not true... On mt last M3 I ran 18x9 +35 with 255/35s square with no mods in the front and a SLIGHT roll in the rear... No rubbing

alignment was exactly fromthe "definitive e36 alignment"
f camber @ -2.5* / r camber @ -2.0*

I will be fitting 17x9 BBS RX on all 4 corners to my avus 95 within the next 2 weeks. The plan is to run 245/40R17s .... Pics to follow

the 17x8 et 10 isn't happening easily though without roll+camber+stretch

R u planning to fit those with fender roll only or u ganna pull it and flare it out?
and yes i have camber plate on my car so i will be running the definitive e36 alignment set up.

Hah. It would have to be an extreme roll and maybe fender pulling along with stretched tires to get the 17x9 et32 to fit. You will not get the 17x8 et10 to fit. If you want to get them to fit, I think you will have to cut your fender or lift your car above stock ride height.

Not to question you
But those style 5 guys even those with staggered set up only roll their 1/4 panel not even pulling!
plus their rear offset is lower then my e32 offset
And i believe most of them have 17x8 et20 (Plus spacer for M3) in the front with out rolling.

215/40/17 good for the front?

Not every e36 is exactly the same. I had an E36 that fit 18x9 ET30 in the rear with no modifications, but my current M3 has 18x8.5 et 38 in the rear with 225/35 tires and rolled fenders and it still rubs sometimes.

Wut do u mean they are different?

[Jim@tirerack]

Like others have said there is no correct tire size on an E36 with a 10" wide 10mm offset. Unless you are doing a wide body kit.

[mayday3k]

Quick question.... A gentleman is selling these rims (http://buffalo.craigslist.org/pts/2037992759.html). was wondering if it would give me any fitment issues on my 2002 325CI, where I currently have 225/45-17... Thanks in advance

-Kevin

had posted in wrong thread.... sorry

[Jim@tirerack]

They would work fine.