[Slippy]

Ok, so I have surfed the forums for hours and other websites and images and everything in between. Now I have decided I really like the XXR 559s in a 19x8.5 square setup for my 2013 335i xDrive. Where I struggle is offset. I get the idea of how it works but I’m unsure of how it affects the fitment and whether or not there will be rubbing. Can you help me determine if this works:

Front and Rear: 19”x8.5” ET 20 or ET 40

And if this works, what size tires should fit? I am in the Chicago area with horrible potholes so the more sidewall the better but I’d really just like the wheels to fit so I’ll make sacrifices if I need to.

Thanks in advance and sorry if I seem like a noob. I kind of am as this is my first car.

[tturedraider]

40 offset will work. 245/35/19 should keep you about even with where you are now.

I read your other posts. If you have a place to store winter wheels and tires it wouldn’t be a bad idea to keep the 18” wheels you currently have and use them as a winter setup.

I hate to rain on your new first car parade, but with Chicago streets you would be wise to go with an 18” wheel.

[Billfitz]

I went with 17s to reduce the potential for pothole damage when I visit NYC every spring. I can't imagine 19s if I lived there.

[Slippy]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

40 offset will work. 245/35/19 should keep you about even with where you are now.

I read your other posts. If you have a place to store winter wheels and tires it wouldn’t be a bad idea to keep the 18” wheels you currently have and use them as a winter setup.

I hate to rain on your new first car parade, but with Chicago streets you would be wise to go with an 18” wheel.

Thank you for the help. I do have a set of winters already they are just some cheap 17x8. And I actually live in Colorado for about 9-10 months out of the year but when I do return to Chicago for a few months I like to not destroy my wheels lol. Since this is my first car though, I am not sure how different 19s vs 18s will be. In that case, could I run 19s and suffer for 2 months out of the year or is it that worth it to get 18s?

Again, thank you for your help.

[Slippy]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I went with 17s to reduce the potential for pothole damage when I visit NYC every spring. I can't imagine 19s if I lived there.

Yeah, Chicago is terrible but I do live out in the suburbs so it isn't TOO bad but it makes me shed a tear when I do hit the craters. Luckily, I am only in the Chicago area for 2 or so months out of the year and pretty much after this year, I don't ever see my car coming back so I guess that is something to look forward to and I think that is why I have tried to justify 19s. I need an excuse lol.

[tturedraider]

Given your situation you’ll probably be okay with 19s. I actually have 19s on my F30 M Sport, because that’s what came with it. One of them has a very slight bend in the outer part of the rim. But, I always prefer 18s over 19s, so I’m biased. I actually have a post on the Windy City BMW car club Facebook page looking to do an even swap for a set of 18” 400M’s. Unfortunately, everyone here has a square setup and I’m looking for a staggered setup.

[Slippy]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Given your situation you’ll probably be okay with 19s. I actually have 19s on my F30 M Sport, because that’s what came with it. One of them has a very slight bend in the outer part of the rim. But, I always prefer 18s over 19s, so I’m biased. I actually have a post on the Windy City BMW car club Facebook page looking to do an even swap for a set of 18” 400M’s. Unfortunately, everyone here has a square setup and I’m looking for a staggered setup.

Yeah I see a lot of square setups. Since I have an xDrive I saw that square setups work better as staggered setups are more difficult. I really like staggered setups but I think for the simplicity on my first car a square setup is easier. And I am also really open to buying 18s but I don't have a huge budget (actually I have a small budget since I am a broke college kid lol) and I saw fitment industries released a thing about XXR wheels being some of the best budget wheels so I looked at them and saw they had 19s in the wheel I liked. If they had 18s I would probably be going 18s. or if i see a good deal on some other 18" wheels i would probably pick those up instead.

[Billfitz]

There should be plenty of used 18s available, from guys who took them off to put on 19s or 20s. Pothole issues aside 18s ride and handle better, anything larger is like women wearing stiletto heels. They look good, but aren't really practical.

[Slippy]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

There should be plenty of used 18s available, from guys who took them off to put on 19s or 20s. Pothole issues aside 18s ride and handle better, anything larger is like women wearing stiletto heels. They look good, but aren't really practical.

Hahahaha I like that. Thank you for the input. I have been looking all day at 18s and I have found some really nice wheels so now I am stuck on whether to go 18s or 19s lol.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by Slippy

Hahahaha I like that. Thank you for the input. I have been looking all day at 18s and I have found some really nice wheels so now I am stuck on whether to go 18s or 19s lol.

One other consideration might be that 18” tires are less expensive than 19”.

[Slippy]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

One other consideration might be that 18” tires are less expensive than 19”.

Yeah the more I look into it the more 18s make sense from a cost and practicality stand point. But then again 19s look great. I do think that I will be going with 18s though. Makes more sense for practicality, performance, and cost.