18" or 19" wheels for a 535xi wagon?
#41
New Members
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: San Diego / San Francisco
My Ride: E39 M5 / E61 535xi
Model Year: 2008
#43
Tire sizes and dimensions
What's the largest tire sizes that can be installed safely without having to reconfigure the suspension or ecu?
I was riding on 245/40/18s which seemed a little rough, so I replaced the tires with 245/45/18. The car is a bit higher, but feels much more comfortable on the road. The wheel/tires seem to fill in the wheel well just fine with no rubbing.
The tire diameter is about 16.5" across, but top to bottom is ~16" with the weight of the 2007 e61 530xi wagon.
I was riding on 245/40/18s which seemed a little rough, so I replaced the tires with 245/45/18. The car is a bit higher, but feels much more comfortable on the road. The wheel/tires seem to fill in the wheel well just fine with no rubbing.
The tire diameter is about 16.5" across, but top to bottom is ~16" with the weight of the 2007 e61 530xi wagon.
#44
Administrator
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,426
Likes: 102
From: Fairfield County, CT
My Ride: 530xi
Model Year: 2007
Engine: N52
You can go to 17 inch rims on an xi, which will give you the ability to go to a 55 in a tire. The most important aspect is to keep the rolling circumference the same on all four wheels. Going out of spec will affect your speedometer however.
#45
Do you know what the spec range is?
I assume that I am now out of spec.
#46
Administrator
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,426
Likes: 102
From: Fairfield County, CT
My Ride: 530xi
Model Year: 2007
Engine: N52
#47
I don't believe there is necessarily a spec you have to stay between as long as the rolling diameter of all four wheels are the same, as JayArras mentioned. Only difference is that your speedometer will be slightly lower than your actual speed, which is shown via the calculation in the first link he posted. Also, your braking and acceleration might be a little weaker due to more force being needed
Last edited by sunny201; 10-23-2019 at 07:07 AM.
#49
Senior Members
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 641
Likes: 1
From: Seattle, WA - Raleigh, NC
My Ride: 2008 535xiT6
Model Year: 2008
What's the largest tire sizes that can be installed safely without having to reconfigure the suspension or ecu?
I was riding on 245/40/18s which seemed a little rough, so I replaced the tires with 245/45/18. The car is a bit higher, but feels much more comfortable on the road. The wheel/tires seem to fill in the wheel well just fine with no rubbing.
The tire diameter is about 16.5" across, but top to bottom is ~16" with the weight of the 2007 e61 530xi wagon.
I was riding on 245/40/18s which seemed a little rough, so I replaced the tires with 245/45/18. The car is a bit higher, but feels much more comfortable on the road. The wheel/tires seem to fill in the wheel well just fine with no rubbing.
The tire diameter is about 16.5" across, but top to bottom is ~16" with the weight of the 2007 e61 530xi wagon.
When do you least want to deal with a flat tire? IMO in the dark when it's cold and or dark and raining or snowing on the side of a road. With the RFT, and a full size spare, you first don't have a catastrophic failure event in what is more likely to be shit road conditions, then you can also take your sweet time to get to a safe place to simply swap out a wheel. I say simply because frankly, otherwise it's the side of a dark highway with cars flying by and road spray and usually very uneven ground, or worse, plowed snow so there's literally no where to do a tire change. Simple is driving to where it's off the road, out of the weather maybe, where there's flat open ground. Then it's really just a 20 minute job if you have the right tools with you.
Jack
Socket
Wheel lock socket !!!!!
Breaker bar
Decent Air pump to be sure spare is up to par as well as basic standard car kit item. (like a $100+ Viair, not some shit plastic end Kobalt junk - trust me!)
Pro kit:
Ideally a ratcheting torque wrench as your installer.
Wider base for a jack in case of soft ground
Folding wheel chock for weird/uneven ground
Large heavy duty trash bag for incredibly dirty tire to go back in the car.
Warning triangle or similar at least reflective but there are nice LED versions too that blink and help you stay alive.
#50
Senior Members
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 641
Likes: 1
From: Seattle, WA - Raleigh, NC
My Ride: 2008 535xiT6
Model Year: 2008
Over several years and 100,000 miles, the fender liner still only has the marking of the rub, not a run through but this would also vary by tire shape and also suspension height. My car is at factory height. A lowered car would run into that spot more easily I'm pretty sure due to the camber and shape of fender liner.