eboy0

Small update: I discovered over the weekend that there is slight rubbing on the front. I was changing my brakes+rotors and noticed a dimple like impression on each of the front struts, they line up pretty much even with where the wheel lip is. I'm guessing that under extreme cornering or turning they might have made contact. I'll see if I can snap a photo sometime this week since my hands were filthy while handing the brakes I didnt want to dirty up my camera.
My setup for the front is, 19" 8.5 ET35 on a 245/35/19" tire.

Bull27

First time poster, long time lurker. Great thread. I'm fed up and wanted to get opinions. Looking to downgrade to 18"s from the 19" M3 reps I have on my 08 BMW 535xi. They have been a NIGHTMARE, no matter how many times I try to get them balanced there is still a shimmy. Not to mention I have Bridgestone Potenzas on there that are hard as a rock. Horrible ride in these crappy Boston roads.

Anyways, I'm looking at Avant Garde M359's (M310's supposedly wont clear my brakes in 18). The only sizes available are:

18x8.5 et35 front - 245/40/18
18x9.5 et33 or et35 rear - 275/35/18

I was told to go with the et33's in the rear but given all the reading I am doing I'm thinking that is risky and may look weird even if I don't have any fender issues.

The other option would be with the VMR v710's or v718's but the only applicable rear offset would be et 45 in 18x9.5's but I think that would look ridiculous and too far set in. Wow, this is aggravating.

Of course I could do 18x8.5' et35's in a square set up with the AG's, but wanted to go staggered. What are your thoughts on this and what would you do given the above options? Thanks guys

sahiljain22

I have et33 on 18" and they are pretty good on my 535xi. You would really only get fender issues with ET30 or so. ET33-35 is a very safe zone (and I like a little bit aggressiveness that they provide). I went with a set off the F30 sport and am very happy with them. You could go staggered - I just didn't want to deal with that with poor roads in Boston. One flat tire or pothole and everything becomes a mess.

Bull27

Thanks for the input. Ya these roads are treacherous and I've had it with the 19"s. So you are running et33's in a square set up? What are your tire sizes? I was just thinking that if I put a 275/35/18 in the rear with that kind of offset it may be borderline trouble. I definitely think I would like the look, just a little weary.

Would the suggested setup look strange i.e. front too far in and rear too far out???
18x8.5 et35
18x9.5 et33

Seems like it should be the other way around.

sahiljain22

8Jx18/225/45R18 is what I have, BMW style 416, ET 34

You can use the 9.5 et33 and 8.5 et35 wheels for the back and front respectively, just keep the tire sizes within 2% of each other and nothing really will look too far in or too far out.

535Dante

I'm running this exact same setup:

Avant Garde M359's:

18x8.5 et35 front - 245/40/18
18x9.5 et33 rear - 275/35/18

Love this setup. Smooth ride, no rubbing issues whatsoever.

Bull27

I just saw some f30 double spoke 397 wheels for sale, pretty nice and same set up as yours : 8jx18/225/45 Et 34 all around. Is the rolling diameter acceptable (similar to stock) for our vehicles given they are 18's but somewhat narrow (225) and a 45 ratio? What about the hub bore, are they 72.6?

Bull27

I'm so torn, but I need to pull the trigger on something very soon. You have any pics preferably from the side showing how far out they are? I bet they do look sweet. Thanks man.

535Dante

Here's a side view, is this what you're looking for?

sahiljain22

Hub bore is the same.

E60 stock wheels are around 2-3mph slower than what the speedometer shows, so these wheels basically cover up that gap. If my speedometer now shows 75, I am going 74-75 as confirmed by my radar detector and gps.

Just know that the 2013 tpms sensors won't work with your car. I learnt that the hard way