E39 Tyre Size

[hadenough!]

I know the saloons had wider tyres at the back, did the tourings? If not why not?

Thanks,

Phill

[Mustard]

No they didnt....due to the self levelling suspension set up I believe

[hadenough!]

Ta,
Now, the internet suggests running the wider tyres on the rear is possible.

Has anyone here done it or is it just not worth taking the risk?

[SJobson]

It's fine - I replaced my alloys with a staggered set (17" wheels, 235/45x17 front tyres and 255/40x17 rears). I think the wheels are 8J and 9J respectively. Absolutely no problem with rubbing even when I'd loaded the boot up with a mountain of car magazines, before it pumped up to height.

You might struggle with a set from an M5 though, because I think the tyres from that will rub.

[hadenough!]

Simon,
Thanks for that, would it make a difference that mines a sport?

[SJobson]

Mine is a pre-facelift with what was called the Sport option pack, so no MSport bumpers, but it does have the lowered MTech suspension like the later Sport variants. So I'd say no problem at all

[hadenough!]

Great, thanks, so on with the search.

Thought I'd found some on ebay that the seller described as A1 condition but when pressed admitted there were some marks on the outer edges bu no major dents.

So not fking A1 then? tt!

[DennisCooper]

Hi

I'm running 19 inch wheels, and 9.5x19 all round on my E39 Touring. I'm also using the correct tyre sizing of 275/30 rear and 245/35 fronts. I'm also lowered on H&R springs using standard SE shocks. I get the occasional 'rub' when going over undulations in the road which cause more than usual suspension travel, but it's not overly imposing. It's so rare that over 9 months since getting these correct sizing tyres on (I previously had a slightly incorrect size) I still haven't got round to getting my rear arches pulled by about 5-10mm to solve the issue.

So yes, it's quite possible and quite common to run a staggered setup on a Touring, my 'spare' set of wheels which are currently on the car are 8.5 fronts and 9.5 rears, 19 inch again and same size tyres as above.

19 inch is considered by many the largest diameter size to go onto an E39, some do indeed go to 20's as well. Due to the relative rarity of genuine E39 M5 wheels out there not many Tourings run those wheels, however, there'd be no issue at all in running those and the correct tyre sizing on a Touring. You'll only really get the slight rub I mention above when you lower. Some owners have taken to putting on 265/30/19 rears on, lowered and don't get any rubbing at all. However the rolling radius is subtantially changed and maybe to some the difference is livable, to me it's not and I like my speedo to read as accuratley as possible. I'd hazard a guess the 265 size will affect the speedo by perhaps 2-4mph.

Hope this helps- Cheers, Dennis! West London & Slough!

[SJobson]

If it's any help, I got my refurb'd set of alloys from Quarry Motors for just over £400 delivered. That included some crappy part-worn tyres, which I instantly replaced with a set of Goodyear F1s, which cost as much as the wheels. But worth it.

Quarry Motors do advertise on eBay but they're a bit cheaper if you go direct. Or try Fab Direct, or BM Autosports (the last being a bit pricier for the really popular alloy designs).

[hadenough!]

Thanks for all the help, I'm picking up a set tomorrow.

Still seems odd that BMW didn't fit the staggered alloys as standard as so many people seem to be running them with no issues.

[hadenough!]

Right, collected them and all is good. I fully intended to change the tyres straight away but it seems a shame as the F1 GSD3s o the back are perfect and the Avon Turbospeed Cr228 Ds o the front are barely worn.

The only problem is the fronts are 40 profile, not 45. Will this cause an issue?

Thanks,

Phill

[Fox-]

Depends on the size, my 18's are 235/40/18 on the front as standard?