Hello, I just took delivery of a new 530i, but without the sport package (my mistake).

I want to move to Style #166 (M5) wheels. They are beautiful!

I started with 17" wheels without sport suspension.

What size wheels should I get (18" or 19")? Staggered or unstaggered?

Does anyone know how the larger wheels will work with the non-sports suspension.

I love the great looks, but I do not want to sacrifice the road noise that will come with bigger tires.

Should I look at spring packages to lower to car, or am I just simulating the sport package and a louder car?

Any advice?

 

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Hi I am in the same boat you are! When you find out, please let me know too... by the way I have a new set of 18inch BMW OEM style 71's (SEE PICTURE), that cost me 2,250.00 last April 2005 and I will sell for them for $1000.00, so I can buy the 19 inch 166 M wheel to go along with my M kit. (I am told the 166m will work, and if they don't I am buying the 135m Rim, that cost 530 each also

Eddie Presley

Eddie Presley

 

19", wider rears. Looks better, feels better, too.
Fitting is not the slightest problem. Got nothing to do with the suspension, (apart from the fact, the car might look too high after changing due to the lower profile tyres) but the arches, and they are the same if you have a sport or non sport or a 530 or a 550.

up to 9x20 front and 11x20 the arches will take. On 11x20 rear you might want them rolled.

the 19" combo looks ace and doesn't pose a problem.

 

19" with mixed tyres look the best in my opinion. With 275 rears the E60 looks fab. I test drove an E60 with 17" wheels and std suspension before I bought my first E60 with 18" 124 and sports suspension. My current car has 19" with M suspension and the difference between the three size/types is negligable in terms of road noise IMHO.

 

I don't have sports package either. I got style 166's staggered set up. The ride is very comfy, handles extremely well. There is absolutely nothing to sacrifice. You might wanna drop your car after getting the rims though to make your ride look even better.

 

19 or 20" staggered looks great

 

Does anyone have any pictures of 19" inch wheels on a standard suspension (non-sport package) 530i?

I am leaning towards the 18" wheels because I am probably a bit conservative on the noise issue (the reason that I did not get the sport package to begin with). I appreciate the great comments about the 19" and how they do not create any more noise than the 18" wheels.
On another point, this is a leased car, so any money spent is lost. I hope to sell the 166s at the end, and I may do better with matching 18" wheels. I would love so additional comments or encouragement to go to the 19"ers. How much difference is there with staggered wheels, and why does the 530i sport package not have staggered 18"ers?

Just took my first picture of my new baby today. All is good except the wheels (the OEM wheels look like the bottom of my kitchen mixer).

 

when i put on the staggered 166M on my ride (ARS but non sport suspension) the ride is comfortable BUT bounced more on speed driving and to me it sucks! I suspect that since it is on lower profile tyres on the 166M the shock/undulation from uneven tarmac is taken up by the spring and absorber. I have since retrofitted with sport suspension and it is better now!
Also dropping the car is a must once you moved to 19 or 20" rims otherwise the gap is sticking out like a sore thumb!

 

So, did you use something like the Eibach Pro-Kit? How much lower did you go, is the standard Eibach kit 1.25-1.15" good? It is only $250, which seems like a good deal considering I made the mistake of not getting the sport package.

If I go with the 19" wheels, I want to know exactly what to do so I can have it all done at once when the wheels are off.

Anyone with 18" 166s that has had a good experience too?

I hope to order everthing soon...

Best,
Richard

 

ok i've been on this board for a while now, but I still don't know what a Staggered or unstaggered set of tyres are? will anyone care to explain to me what is it. I plan on ordering my car within the next two months @ the very latest. The excitement keeps me up on this board till 1am in the morning when I have to wake at 7am for work, lol. I can't imagine when I actually order my car or when I'm told it's at the dealer!! I'm going to need some sleep medications sooner than later I presume.