[Max_Murray_e90]

I have a 2006 e90 330xi and I am looking to buy new rims. If you own an e90, you know how far in the back wheels are hidden. I am trying to avoid using wheel spacers, so I am just wondering if you can have staggered wheels on an AWD.

[rothwem]

Originally Posted by Max_Murray_e90

I have a 2006 e90 330xi and I am looking to buy new rims. If you own an e90, you know how far in the back wheels are hidden. I am trying to avoid using wheel spacers, so I am just wondering if you can have staggered wheels on an AWD.

You can, but the rolling diameters have to be really close. Use the calculator in the wheel and tire forum. For example, 225/45/17 and 255/40/17 are really really close in overall diameter.

With that said, staggered tires on our cars are pretty worthless from a performance standpoint, they just make the car push more than the factory setup. Square 255s is where its at, just use a small spacer on the back if you're worried about looks.

[max_330i]

Staggered wheels are stock on 330i sport pkg. Yes they're fine to run on these cars. Reference above post re: rolling diameter. He is also right that staggered wheels = more understeer = less fun; yes it looks nice but basically the opposite of what you want in a performance car.

[kkasson]

I also want to reiterate what was said above about making sure the diameters are the same....having different diameters will damage the AWD system. It doesn't take much of a difference to cause problems...AWD manufacturers recommend, for example, that if you need to replace a tire on an AWD vehicle then all of the tires need to be replaced because the difference in diameter just from the extra tread on a new tire compared to the 3 worn tires can be enough to cause problems.

[pysical]

e90 09 335xi

8.5 up front on 235/35/19
9.5 on back on 265/30/19

This is fine. Did no rolling or any modifications.

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by Max_Murray_e90

I have a 2006 e90 330xi and I am looking to buy new rims. If you own an e90, you know how far in the back wheels are hidden. I am trying to avoid using wheel spacers, so I am just wondering if you can have staggered wheels on an AWD.

The standard staggered wheel/tire size for later sport package cars (either rwd or xDrive) is 225/40R18 on 8"x18" wheels, 255/35R18 on 8.5"x18 wheels. The spec on those sizes well within the 1% difference usually quoted as the permissible difference.

[Max_Murray_e90]

Thank you guys