[Alxdim]

Hi All,

I'm looking to buy summer wheels/rims for my 2009 E91 that I just bought! I've read that 17" is better than 18" on an E91. Also is it a good thing to put non RFT tires on them?

The rims that I have on right now are 16", they will be good for my winter tires.

If you have an E91 please share your pics so I can decide what looks better

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[krhodes1]

17's are a little cheaper, a little stronger (typically), and the higher profile tires will ride a little better and are usually a little cheaper. And protect the wheels from potholes better. Some people think 18's look better, but that is really their only actual advantage, assuming you don't need them to clear the brakes, which you don't on an e91. I have the stock LCI wheels on my e91 and I think it looks just fine. Wouldn't mind a lighter set of wheels, but can't be bothered to spend the money.

I put non-RFT Nokian Z-lines on my e91 and the difference is night and day. It's like going from wearing boots to wearing running shoes. Disadvantage, of course is if you get a flat you are stuck (or you need to carry a spare). I can't be bothered, I have AAA and I haven't had a flat on the road in 25 years.

[tcphoto]

I'd start with an 18" BMW wheel 193 or 216's and an Aero lip to start with. There's an E91 thread that would be a great reference to check out.

[NiNeTyOne]

17's are lighter, protect you from potholes better, and the tires are cheaper.

18's serve no real function beyond looks and adding weight if you don't need caliper clearance (which you don't even with a Brembo kit or the BMW Performance brake upgrade).

Stick with 17's. I am bending one of them a year on average, with 18's it could easily be triple that, given the condition of our roads here. I've driven in Montreal, your roads are worse.

If you need good, light, strong wheels you may want to look at these:

https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3...-wheel/?pdk=BA

At ET20 they fit the Pre-LCI e91's with no issues (You can still put 8-10mm spacers on them w/225's), so they give a bit wider stance (which looks far better), and they will drop 40 lbs of unsprung weight off the car. That's right, FORTY POUNDS.

Acceleration, braking and handling performance will be noticeably better. Not to mention they are only about $250 a pop.

Run Flats suck. Weight, weight, weight. Not to mention they handle like tires made of wood (i.e. they suck ass).

I am running Dunlop Direzza ZII Star Specs in summer, amazing grip. The Indy 500's are right there in performance and a little cheaper. Both are SIGNIFICANTLY lighter than RFT's. You'll instantly feel the difference in acceleration, braking and handling, especially in rough corners.

You can run 225 or 245 on the 8.5's. If you use a 10mm spacer on the 225's you're going to have about 3-5mm clearance on the front fender with a mild drop (like with the Eibach Pro springs), with 245's you may need a slight roll with a 10mm spacer. You'll probably still be okay in the back.

Carry some tire snot if you're really worried, or do what most of us do and get roadside assist. I carry a couple tire plugs in the car with me, and (touch wood) have never required one.

[Greyfox]

These are BMW 161 8.5" x 17" painted gunmetal grey. They are wrapped with 225/45x17 Continental PureContacts. The 255/40x17 Goodyear Eagles will going back on later this summer.

I also have the stock 16" 156 and a set of after market 17" with snow tires.

[NiNeTyOne]

Originally Posted by Greyfox

These are BMW 161 8.5" x 17" painted gunmetal grey. They are wrapped with 225/45x17 Continental PureContacts. The 255/40x17 Goodyear Eagles will going back on later this summer.

I also have the stock 16" 156 and a set of after market 17" with snow tires.

Using those same tires for my winter set, I was stunned at how great they were in deep snow. Those are really good all season tires.

[pickupjason]

Originally Posted by Alxdim

Hi All,

I'm looking to buy summer wheels/rims for my 2009 E91 that I just bought! I've read that 17" is better than 18" on an E91. Also is it a good thing to put non RFT tires on them?

The rims that I have on right now are 16", they will be good for my winter tires.

If you have an E91 please share your pics so I can decide what looks better

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Here's mine with 193m staggered. I changed out the wheel/tires only because the 17"s came with the car were badly scratched.

[Alxdim]

Originally Posted by pickupjason

Here's mine with 193m staggered. I changed out the wheel/tires only because the 17"s came with the car were badly scratched.

Nice I wan't those
18"? Exists as replicas? Price?

[NiNeTyOne]

Originally Posted by pickupjason

Here's mine with 193m staggered. I changed out the wheel/tires only because the 17"s came with the car were badly scratched.

Since you have more rear grip now, what have you done to compensate for the already horrible e91 understeer? Square with a bigger rear bar is still just adequate. I've resisted putting more tire in the back for that reason. Compared to my other track cars the e91 literally plows through corners. On the street it would be terrible!

I guess it's a question of function or looks.. :/

[Bob Shiftright]

Sorry, but this the best photo I have of the wheels.

The grass is green so these must be the 17s. The car has ZSP and they are staggered.

I have a second set of snows on 16s for winter.

[NiNeTyOne]

Running the equivalent of et14 on OE 17's with my winter tires. Ride height is about 1cm gap up front on Eibach Pro springs with FSD's, while we get the Ohlins kit sorted out. Square on 225's.

As an FYI, this is exactly where the outer edge of the rim would be on the wheels I linked earlier. Essentially what's you'd have with OE 17's at et34 and 20mm spacers.

[Eagle1oh7]

18s are the best size wheel.

[CSBM5]

I'm using E90 M3 219M 8.5 x 18 front wheels all around on my E91. Michelin PSAS3+ tires, 225/40 front and 255/35 rears. I started out with the 255/35s all around but ran into rubbing issues up front and had to fall back to the 225/40. These are ET29, so a bit aggressive up front for a 8.5/255 I guess. They look great on the car, and complement the suspension mods I've done on it well.

[slupie]

I run factory 189's in the summer and 156's in the winter. Like somebody else said, 18's are mostly for looks.

[techietaichi]

In my opinion, I think the roads you drive most and your own personal tastes should work in concert to reach a solution. For instance, I'm rolling on OEM 17's atm and they're great wheels, especially for the common shitty roads we have up here in New England, MA to be exact. A lot more forgiving than my 19" knockoff Alpinas were.



My 19's were great looking, but when I caught an errant bump or pothole, BAM! I knew I'd be checking my undercarriage. It was all wheel and little rubber. Not exactly a great choice for where I live, but I'm a hardhead and just grin and beared it...until I cracked a wheel.



So between 17's and 19's is what? Yeah, 18's. So that's where I'm headed next as it seems the logical choice. 162's are what I chose and I have high hopes that it'll do great as a lot of black top is being put in on many of the roads I drive daily.

162's(Not my car)


At the end of the day, it's what you want your car to be. Everybody has an opinion, but YOU have to like it. Good luck man.

[pickupjason]

Originally Posted by Alxdim

Nice I wan't those
18"? Exists as replicas? Price?

They are genuine bmw wheels 18" that I bought from a guy who took them off from his e92 335. Check the forums, eBay, Craigslist, Panjo, ...etc you should be able to grab them at a reasonable price. Also, check the Bmwstylewheels.com and you could learn more about the bmw wheel styles.

[Alxdim]

Originally Posted by pickupjason

Here's mine with 193m staggered. I changed out the wheel/tires only because the 17"s came with the car were badly scratched.

Bad ass! What is the tire mount?

[Alxdim]

Originally Posted by NiNeTyOne

Running the equivalent of et14 on OE 17's with my winter tires. Ride height is about 1cm gap up front on Eibach Pro springs with FSD's, while we get the Ohlins kit sorted out. Square on 225's.

As an FYI, this is exactly where the outer edge of the rim would be on the wheels I linked earlier. Essentially what's you'd have with OE 17's at et34 and 20mm spacers.

Is it possible to have a pic of the side of the car also?

[Eagle1oh7]

Originally Posted by NiNeTyOne

17's are lighter, protect you from potholes better, and the tires are cheaper.

18's serve no real function beyond looks and adding weight if you don't need caliper clearance (which you don't even with a Brembo kit or the BMW Performance brake upgrade).

18s don't add weight as long as you stay away from OEM wheels. My Forgestar F14s weight 18~lbs on the fronts and 19~ on the rears. Aftermarket wheels come with BBK clearance.

[martinblair]

I really don't see an issue with 18s over 17s. I kept my 17s for winter and picked up a set of Style 162's for my summer tires and even with some of our rough roads I don't think it's a rough ride at all. The 225/40 and 255/35 have more than adequate sidewall. I have the Bilstein B12 kit installed as well.

[NiNeTyOne]

Originally Posted by Eagle1oh7

18s don't add weight as long as you stay away from OEM wheels. My Forgestar F14s weight 18~lbs on the fronts and 19~ on the rears. Aftermarket wheels come with BBK clearance.

Having spent over a decade in motorsport, I can confidently tell you the larger rim does add weight. The same BBS wheel at 18" is two lbs heavier than the same wheel at 17". The tire on the 17" wheel is only about half that difference more weight making the mounted tire/wheel lighter at 17".

This obviously varies from wheel to wheel and tire to tire, but the general rule of thumb is a smaller wheel will make for a lighter assembly. This was true for OZ, BBS and Enkei when we tested them all.

Driver feedback also favored the 17 over 18's for feel and feedback.

[tlow98]

Lots of great people can in here! Thanks