E39 wheels on an E34

[ps003]

I'm thinking about putting a set of 225/50 16" E39 wheels on my 1995 E34 (to replace the metric ones!) Does anyone have any experience of using E39 alloys on an E34? I know I'll need to obtain the correct hubcentric rings to make them fit but I've been told that shouldn't be a problem. Are there any E39 styles that won't fit an E34 in anyone's experience?

[sohlman]

Basically as long as you use hubscentric rings all e39 wheels will fit. The only exception would be a wheel with a tyre size greater than 265 which will require the rear arches to be rolled. Bear in mind that the e34 does not suit overly big wheels and i would go no bigger than 17's.

[jamesk]

sohlman can you confirm that 265 is the max size for the fronts as well?

I was considering putting some 8.5" 18" Hartge wheels on my E34 and presumed that the narrowest tyres I could use on 8.5" thick rims were 245's - is that right and would that require any steering rack mods do you know?

Interesting point about 17" being largest that suit the shape - would save me some cash going for 17's instead of 18's too. What would you recommend as an ideal? 17" x 8" all round?

[m-five]

I wouldn't go wider than 245 on the fronts - as on the e34 M5 - otherwise you will foul on turning.

The 1994/5 e34 M5 came with 245/45 18 all round as standard although the front wheel was 8.5x18 and the rear was 9.5x18 - so those sizes should cause no problem, however 17" wheels and tyres are usually about 25% cheaper.

>> Edited by m-five on Tuesday 25th May 18:29

[sohlman]

My advice would be to have 235/45/17's on the front and 255/40/17's on the rear. There will be no problems with this as long as the offset is correct. Do bear in mind that by running rubber this wide you will put strain on worn ball joints and link bars so if the car starts train tracking you need to replace worn suspension bits. Basically this set up willl highlate any weaknesses, but these are wear and tear items that you should replace anyway.

[ps003]

I can certainly confirm that, I've sometimes experienced train tracking on bad inside lanes of motorways with my current 230/55 Z390's, with even wider (and imperial) rubber I can imagine it would be quite unnerving to suddenly drop into those ruts!

[jamesk]

Thanks again for replies. Dont wish to steal the thread but sohlman, that tyre choice would be on 17 x 8" rims would it?

The Hartge I had my eyes on are "18x8.5 et13 5stud 120pcd" - would those go straight on or would I need to get spacers?

I am not very good at this type of thing but can you really fit the same tyre width to wheels 8.5 and 9.5" wide? Sorry if thats a stupid question but I am trying to work out if 245/45 tyres would be ok all round if all 4 wheels are the same width.

>> Edited by jamesk on Wednesday 26th May 13:14

>> Edited by jamesk on Wednesday 26th May 13:17

[sohlman]

If your wheels are wider at the rear then you have a staggered set and so should also fit a stagered set of tyres. If your wheels are the same size all round you can either have all the same or choose to have wider tyres at the rear. You will have a certain range of tyre possibilities you can fit to a given rim size. The offset you have quoted seems fine. My advice would be to look at the widest BMW wheel and tyre they did on a model and go no wider than this. Most E34 M5's had 235/45/17's at the front and 255/40/17's at the rear with the last model being shod with 235/40/18's and the front and 265/35/18's at the rear, and they only had wheels this big due to the fact that the late models had 346mm discs and 4 pot brembo's which would not run inside 17's. 17's will be fine, but i would not put 245's at the front as the tyre may catch on the strut and or the arch when the car is being turned at full lock and or when the suspension is compressed.

[sohlman]

one other thing, remember that the M5 has different suspension to the rest of the e34 range and so is better suited to a big wheel and tyre combination. Hartge's will look very nice, but my advice would be to get the dishes hartge's rather than the flat face ones as they will suit the car better.

[jamesk]

Many thanks sohlman (again )

I have got the opportunity to buy a set of Alpina's from an E34 B10 conversion. They look superb and are 17" rims but the tyres are 235/45 on the front and 265/40 on the back. This is very close to my current wheels rolling size so should be fine. I am just a bit jittery about the rear's being so wide on standard arches. Were the Alpina's/M5's given rolled arches as standard do you know?

My 540 has the M-Tech suspension so I was told so compression of the springs shouldn't cause body rub should it?

[sohlman]

Should be fine, and if it touches the arch it will be just slightly. Arch rolling is not exspensive, but i don't think you will have a problem. The arches on M5's Alpina's are no different and the Alpina's are the ones to have on any BMW in my opinion. Then you will have to source a steering wheels and gear knob.