Cal Club Autocross Forums

Hey all, this is a bit of a long shot, but here's the scoop: I am trying to research the absolute limits of how wide a wheel and tire setup can fit on my 135i. I am looking for someone with a pair of 17x9 or 18x9 wheels with an offset of about 35-40ish and 245 or 255 width tires in the Orange County or Southern California area to help me with a test fit. All modern BMWs and some modern Chevy Camaros/Corvettes,etc. use a 5x120 bolt pattern, just for reference. All the test fit would entail is fitting the wheels to my car, checking strut, and fender clearance, and then driving around the block to listen for rubbing.
My current track setup is good, but not great. Unfortunately, not many people are really pushing the limits of what fits on these cars for a track setup, and the clearances with this car are incredibly tight, so there is very little that can be left to guesswork. Let me know if anyone has a setup that sounds like a good fit, and wouldn't mind giving me an hour or so of your time.
Thanks,
- Jake

I wouldn't be opposed to this; however I'm running 17x9.5 on a 275 tire....

http://www.rimsntires.com is awesome they have a tire and wheel calculator that really helps. http://www.alloywheelsdirect.net gives you the working wheel sizes for the BMW just go to information tab, scroll down the fitment chart and follow the steps.

I have 19x9's with 255's that fit a CTS-V.

And 19x9.5's with 285's.

They are 5 on 120mm, with about 38mm offset.

Factory rims are about $375 each shipped and very light, if you want to run GM rims.

You are welcome to come by and try fitment. I'm in Norco, about 25 minutes from Orange County.

My other similar rims/tires are 120.65mm pattern (C5 Z06), both 17 and 18"

Some people interchange 120 and 120.65. Personally, I only do that for drag racing.

I have a set of extra 17x9 D-Force LTW-5 +41ET with 255/40R17 tires mounted.

They are possibly for sale.

I can bring a pair to one of the next July champ events if you're interested.

Hey Tin,
I might be interested in what you got if for sale.
I'll look for you at this weekends event.

Tetsu

Hi Tin, I would really like to try and test fit those wheels, if they are available.
- Jake

I'll bring two wheels this Sunday for my afternoon runs.

Tetsu, you can drop by my place anytime to take a look at the other wheels. I'm in San Pedro.

Tin

Sorry guys can't make it today. Dead battery.

What's your current track setup?

F: 17x8.5 ET40 w/ 255/40R17 Hankook
R: 17x8.5 ET50 w/ 255/40R17 Hankook

These RS3 run so wide that pinching the 255 on an 8.5" wheel is not cutting it. I would love to x9.5" all around, but it just ain't happening with stock fenders. My rough math has it that a 17x9 should fit up front if the offset is just right ET38-41ish. APEX makes a 1-series specific 18x9.5" rear wheel, but I REALLY want to try to get a 17x9 up front.