What did you do for your E61 today?
New Members
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 197
Likes: 1
From: Chicago, IL
My Ride: e61 / KW V3 / JB4 / M5 Rear Sway / FDL Coded / SAT Retrofit w GKE flash / ER FMIC / BMS DCI
Model Year: 2010
Engine: N54
First, the business... at 19x9.5 ET23, the front perfectly fit the front M5 fenders. With the 265/35's, I get the slightest bit of rub on the front of the driver fender liner when I turn full passenger. This is slight enough that I'm not in a hurry to address it, but I plan to eventually use a heat gun and some messaging to open up the clearance. For the rears, I have 10mm BMS spacers with the M5 rear hubs. I might be able to go to 12mm if I don't mind an occasional rub. I haven't had the time to dump the air with INPA and re-measure.
Handling is vastly improved. The cornering limitation before was the front traction and understeer in the front, but now I reach the limits of my nerves before the limits of tire traction. I also feel like I have some work to do with the V3's to make some adjustments and get things really dialed.
And the icing on the cake is that the wide tires actually fall in fewer potholes on these sh*tty Chicago roads, so my ride quality has actually been better than on the 18" snow tires I had on this winter, despite the reduced sidewall size.
Perfectly flush:
Side view shows fender and brake rotor clearance.
Aaaand the glamour shots...
Next up, I have some brand new Rays Volk G12's in 19x9.5 ET25 and 19x.10.5 ET22 to mount up with some staggered Michelin PSS. I learned the expensive lesson that a 295 is just too wide for the ol' e61 subframe/fender liner setup (even with my pulled and rolled fenders), so those were sold at quite a loss. I'll be testing 245/40-275/35 and 245/35-285/30 with the Rays just for fun to compare which of these three setups I like best.
New Members
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: NY
My Ride: E61
I like this set up, this is how it should have been factory. The wide wheel vs potholes would sure help me
Members
Senior Members
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 901
Likes: 16
From: San Diego
My Ride: E61 with all the mods
Model Year: 2008
Engine: N54
Thread Starter
Members
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 138
Likes: 1
From: Cumming, GA
My Ride: 2007 530XiT BSM/Auburn
Model Year: 2007
I took some photos after a rain storm couple weeks ago and finally got around to uploading them tonight.
First, the business... at 19x9.5 ET23, the front perfectly fit the front M5 fenders. With the 265/35's, I get the slightest bit of rub on the front of the driver fender liner when I turn full passenger. This is slight enough that I'm not in a hurry to address it, but I plan to eventually use a heat gun and some messaging to open up the clearance. For the rears, I have 10mm BMS spacers with the M5 rear hubs. I might be able to go to 12mm if I don't mind an occasional rub. I haven't had the time to dump the air with INPA and re-measure.
Handling is vastly improved. The cornering limitation before was the front traction and understeer in the front, but now I reach the limits of my nerves before the limits of tire traction. I also feel like I have some work to do with the V3's to make some adjustments and get things really dialed.
And the icing on the cake is that the wide tires actually fall in fewer potholes on these sh*tty Chicago roads, so my ride quality has actually been better than on the 18" snow tires I had on this winter, despite the reduced sidewall size.
Perfectly flush:
Side view shows fender and brake rotor clearance.
Aaaand the glamour shots...
Next up, I have some brand new Rays Volk G12's in 19x9.5 ET25 and 19x.10.5 ET22 to mount up with some staggered Michelin PSS. I learned the expensive lesson that a 295 is just too wide for the ol' e61 subframe/fender liner setup (even with my pulled and rolled fenders), so those were sold at quite a loss. I'll be testing 245/40-275/35 and 245/35-285/30 with the Rays just for fun to compare which of these three setups I like best.
First, the business... at 19x9.5 ET23, the front perfectly fit the front M5 fenders. With the 265/35's, I get the slightest bit of rub on the front of the driver fender liner when I turn full passenger. This is slight enough that I'm not in a hurry to address it, but I plan to eventually use a heat gun and some messaging to open up the clearance. For the rears, I have 10mm BMS spacers with the M5 rear hubs. I might be able to go to 12mm if I don't mind an occasional rub. I haven't had the time to dump the air with INPA and re-measure.
Handling is vastly improved. The cornering limitation before was the front traction and understeer in the front, but now I reach the limits of my nerves before the limits of tire traction. I also feel like I have some work to do with the V3's to make some adjustments and get things really dialed.
And the icing on the cake is that the wide tires actually fall in fewer potholes on these sh*tty Chicago roads, so my ride quality has actually been better than on the 18" snow tires I had on this winter, despite the reduced sidewall size.
Perfectly flush:
Side view shows fender and brake rotor clearance.
Aaaand the glamour shots...
Next up, I have some brand new Rays Volk G12's in 19x9.5 ET25 and 19x.10.5 ET22 to mount up with some staggered Michelin PSS. I learned the expensive lesson that a 295 is just too wide for the ol' e61 subframe/fender liner setup (even with my pulled and rolled fenders), so those were sold at quite a loss. I'll be testing 245/40-275/35 and 245/35-285/30 with the Rays just for fun to compare which of these three setups I like best.
-r
New Members
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Wichita, Kansas
My Ride: 2012 F10 550i, 2001 e46 325i Sedan, 2009 e61 335xi, 1986 325i
Installed ISC coilovers, & miro 111's, 19" / 9.5"w / et33 w/255/35's all the way around.
It is as low as it can go with the ISC's in the front. Fenders rub a tiny bit on dips at the top of the arch. I had to add 5/16" spacers to keep the tires from rubbing the strut in the front. Rear suspension is stock, lowered via software. I need stud conversion kit as with the wheel spacers, the stock lug nuts have maybe 2-1/2 turns of bite
.
The sway bar links that came with the ISC setup are not long enough for how low I have it set. Going to call them after the 4th to see if they can ship out a longer set. The stock one's just happen to fit almost perfectly though. I would like to add a little more tension to the rollbar than where the stock ones are at the moment. So, the adjustable ones will be a welcomed addition.
Love the way it looks though. Shout out to Evan for help with the wheel selection.
It is as low as it can go with the ISC's in the front. Fenders rub a tiny bit on dips at the top of the arch. I had to add 5/16" spacers to keep the tires from rubbing the strut in the front. Rear suspension is stock, lowered via software. I need stud conversion kit as with the wheel spacers, the stock lug nuts have maybe 2-1/2 turns of bite
.The sway bar links that came with the ISC setup are not long enough for how low I have it set. Going to call them after the 4th to see if they can ship out a longer set. The stock one's just happen to fit almost perfectly though. I would like to add a little more tension to the rollbar than where the stock ones are at the moment. So, the adjustable ones will be a welcomed addition.
Love the way it looks though. Shout out to Evan for help with the wheel selection.
Members
Senior Members
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 901
Likes: 16
From: San Diego
My Ride: E61 with all the mods
Model Year: 2008
Engine: N54
Studs are a great call, they make swapping wheels a breeze and the added strength is a bonus.
What brand tires did you go with? Fenders front and rear and not rolled correct?
Do you have any more detailed pics of the fitment, curious to see how the rear offset is with the ET33.
Love the black too, looks way more appropriate then the silver finish I had on my Miros!
Evan
New Members
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Wichita, Kansas
My Ride: 2012 F10 550i, 2001 e46 325i Sedan, 2009 e61 335xi, 1986 325i
For tires I went with Firestone Firehawk INDY 500 XL - Tirerack was blowing them out and I couldn't resist. I went with 35's as the speedo correction was almost zero for final rolling circumference from stock.
I have not rolled or pulled the fenders at all. Will need to roll the center of the top of the arch on the fronts as it rubs a little on dips - but nothing too serious. I'll probably end up raising the front end a quarter of an inch or so. And I'll be going with a thinner wheel spacer up front (none on the rear at this point.) The 5/16" ones are all I had access to in a pinch trying to get this thing back on the road. I really only need maybe 3mm spacers up front.
I have not rolled or pulled the fenders at all. Will need to roll the center of the top of the arch on the fronts as it rubs a little on dips - but nothing too serious. I'll probably end up raising the front end a quarter of an inch or so. And I'll be going with a thinner wheel spacer up front (none on the rear at this point.) The 5/16" ones are all I had access to in a pinch trying to get this thing back on the road. I really only need maybe 3mm spacers up front.
Last edited by Paul Drace; Jul 4, 2017 at 11:45 AM.
New Members
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
My Ride: 2010, E61, 535i xDrive
Model Year: 2010
For tires I went with Firestone Firehawk INDY 500 XL - Tirerack was blowing them out and I couldn't resist. I went with 35's as the speedo correction was almost zero for final rolling circumference from stock.
I have not rolled or pulled the fenders at all. Will need to roll the center of the top of the arch on the fronts as it rubs a little on dips - but nothing too serious. I'll probably end up raising the front end a quarter of an inch or so. And I'll be going with a thinner wheel spacer up front (none on the rear at this point.) The 5/16" ones are all I had access to in a pinch trying to get this thing back on the road. I really only need maybe 3mm spacers up front.
I have not rolled or pulled the fenders at all. Will need to roll the center of the top of the arch on the fronts as it rubs a little on dips - but nothing too serious. I'll probably end up raising the front end a quarter of an inch or so. And I'll be going with a thinner wheel spacer up front (none on the rear at this point.) The 5/16" ones are all I had access to in a pinch trying to get this thing back on the road. I really only need maybe 3mm spacers up front.
New Members
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
My Ride: 2010, E61, 535i xDrive
Model Year: 2010
Over the past 2 weeks I've done a series of things.
1- Replace lower control arms, no more random vibration around 65-72 MPH!!
2- Installed father's day present, carbon fiber pedals
3- Wrapped a few things with carbon fiber vinyl.
1- Replace lower control arms, no more random vibration around 65-72 MPH!!
2- Installed father's day present, carbon fiber pedals
3- Wrapped a few things with carbon fiber vinyl.