Quick Tire Size Question

[MotorMark]

I will soon be putting 19" wheels on my '01 530i. The front wheels are 8" wide, and the rear 8.5." They are all 15mm offset. What is the widest tire I can use on each end? The dealer I bought them from said 245/35 for the front, and 275/30 for the rear. I am not an expert, but that seems too wide for the rear size.

Thanks, Mark

[MotorMark]

Gary? Anyone? PLEASE?

[CMendez]

If you want to stick with stock BMW sizes, they put a 225" tire on an 8" rim, and a 255" on an 8.5" rim. That being said, I used to run 255s on an 8" rim on my mustang and it didn't look awkward at all. Those sizes are based on the e46 3 series though so I'm not sure if it transfers over.

[jvr826]

I used to have a 2002 530i Sport that I ran 18x8.5 ET13 wheels on. The tire size was 245/40-18 all around. Up front, no problems. In the rear, rubbing. I had the fenders rolled and that helped some, but under compression it still rubbed. I even maxed out the negative camber in the rear so they'd be more angled at the top, still rubbed.

The offset is gonna be your problem with a 275 wide rear tire... I'm pretty sure of it. But, go to the E39 forum and surf around, see what others are running on an ET15 wheel.

[Gary@Tirerack]

I will soon be putting 19" wheels on my '01 530i. The front wheels are 8" wide, and the rear 8.5." They are all 15mm offset. What is the widest tire I can use on each end? The dealer I bought them from said 245/35 for the front, and 275/30 for the rear. I am not an expert, but that seems too wide for the rear size.

Thanks, Mark

I would agree with the 245/35R19 sizing recommendation up front, but 275/30R19 tires list a 9" minimum so that tire is indeed a bit too wide for that 8.5" wheel. Unfortunately, there isn't tire that is wider than 245/35R19 that will maintain the same overall diameter and still fit that 8.5" wheel.