E39 Tire Upgrade on 16in Wheels

[DallasBill]

I have a (non-sport) 2003 530i w/ the ContiTouring 225/55x16 on them. It has Style 94 wheels, which I like (I believe that they are a 7in wide wheel).

I am looking at Bridgestone 245/50x16 RE960AS Pole Position as a swap. I had RE950's on my prior E34 and loved them. Plus, with the Bridgestone factory MIR of $100 on these units, I can save some cash too!

If I did the numbers correctly, the Conti's come in at 25.75" rolling tire diameter and the RE's come in at a 25.64" diameter, so it's well within the 3***37;... and the speedo change should be negligable.

Gary (and others)... what do you think? Would this tire be a recommended upgrade on the stock suspension? Think it would look OK with the size change?

[Gary@Tirerack]

Works great on the rear, but watch front clearances with the OE wheels. Should be fine but be sure to double check front clearance before driving on them.


Tires http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AB2&url=/tires/index.jsp

[DallasBill]

Thanks, Gary.

Not sure how one would do this without buying them first.

[LMC]

Thanks, Gary.

Not sure how one would do this without buying them first.

Yes, there is some risk involved. The textbook answer would be to see how much clearance there is now between your 225/55s and whatever will hit first. The 245/50s will be 20mm wider, which is 10mm (0.4 inch) more on the outside of the tire -- will it rub the fender? And 10mm (0.4 inch) more on the inside of the tire -- will it rub the shock, spring, or any other component. If the current clearance is only 10mm, then you don't have enough, given that you are measuring statically but that the tire moves when you're driving.

Gary may weigh in again next week, but you could seek a professional opinion from whoever will mount the tires. Or just stay with the 225s.

[DallasBill]

Good points, LMC! I was actually thinking about that yesterday. I'm going to measure in the next couple of days and see, at full left and right turn cranked. If it's close, I won't even bother, because as you mentioned, there's going to be lateral movement at speed.