Poll for the e34 boys out there

[martyyn 2]

Assmuning all the suspension bits and pieces have been replaced/tidied/stiffened what would be your preference for both driving and looks ?

Im not interested in the 'style' of rim, only the size. Ive been reading quite contrasting experiences on various forums on rims sizes for the e34. Obviously its a big car and can take an 18' rim, but how does it affect (if at all) the ride?

Opinions please.

Edited June 6, 2009 by Penry

[bmw335i 16]

ive got 17" 235 front and 255 rear. looks good when its been lowerd.

i guess it would also depend on offset too?

Edited June 6, 2009 by bmw335i

[Creaver 55]

I also have the same setup as bmw335i. It hasn't been lowered (yet), but looks pretty mint IMO as it is. Some decent negative camber at the moment on standard ride height.

I noticed a big difference in performance with the smaller sidewall, but ride comfort went out the door haha.

I havn't driven the car with same size on each corner with 17's, or 18's. But I reckon 17 is enough.

My 2c.

[Graham m5 0]

The e34 m5 was fitted with 235/45/17 front and 255/40/17 rears and you would of thought bmw would know best when setting up a hand built car, and my one handled really well

[BM WORLD 1283]

mine runs 235/45- 17" front on 8.5" rim.

255/40-17" on a 10" rim , the 255 looks streched a bit .

wouldn't go bigger than 17" for nz roads etc

Edited June 6, 2009 by Brent HARTGE535i

[kiwi535 538]

235/45 17 on 17x8 et20 front and 255/40 on same rims on back.(when i first got the car)

changed to 235 45 17 all round.My car with "sports suspension settings" chpos out outside of front and inside of rears,and the fronts twice as fast as the backs,so half way through their life they go on the back ON THE SAME side.If you have different sizes its not as flexible when rotating and repairing....

235 45 17 on 17x8.5.et 15 feels exactly the same as above set up.Gotta keep wheels balanced and when the fronts get worn you could get teh shimmy.....

you give me a number

[Greg111 13]

I voted the middle one also, best setup there. No need to go to 18".

[kiwi535 538]

255/40x17 is the correct size to match 235 45 17

[Guest Simon*]

I run the bottom setup - 235/265 on 18's with 8.5 and 9.5" wide rims respectively. I voted for this setup too (just to play Devil's advocate!) but it certainly LOOKS good in my opinion, and day to day I have no issues with it. Runs sweet on the track too with good tyres.

My car is pretty aggressively lowered on Bilsteins and H&R's and has uprated swaybars front and rear. I have no shimmy and the car has always handled like it's on rails.

AND I've just bought a staggered set of 18" M-Pars (woohoo!) which will be about the same width as my current wheels. This will give me the same wheel setup as a lot of the later Euro spec 3.8L E34 M5's

I had however been planning on a set of lightweight 17" rims for track wheels - but mostly because tyres are cheaper.

[Greg111 13]

I run the bottom setup - 235/265 on 18's with 8.5 and 9.5" wide rims respectively. I voted for this setup too (just to play Devil's advocate!) but it certainly LOOKS good in my opinion, and day to day I have no issues with it. Runs sweet on the track too with good tyres.

My car is pretty aggressively lowered on Bilsteins and H&R's and has uprated swaybars front and rear. I have no shimmy and the car has always handled like it's on rails.

AND I've just bought a staggered set of 18" M-Pars (woohoo!) which will be about the same width as my current wheels. This will give me the same wheel setup as a lot of the later Euro spec 3.8L E34 M5's

I had however been planning on a set of lightweight 17" rims for track wheels - but mostly because tyres are cheaper.

The inside of the tires suffer however

[Guest Simon*]

True

But since I moved away from Eagle F1's tyres last twice as long!

[Greg111 13]

Ha i could vouch for that, my cars not even being used but the tires are proberly still slowly wearing.

[Guest Simon*]

Yup SOOOO soft

[topcat 11]

i voted 235/45/17 all round, mainly price based and good all round performance.

but what are you after?

track,daily(comfort),looks or ,more importantly, respect from other BS members?

couple of folks are raising the issue with the new project,rear wise.

saying i need to stick 255+ on 'for traction etc'.

phewwie i say

m

[Greg111 13]

Yup SOOOO soft

What tyres are you running now Simon? I like grip.

[martyyn 2]

but what are you after?

An interesting question Marty so Ill do my best

Put simply, I spent the best part of 18 monthslooking for a set of genuine 18' Alpinas. Once I found them I then waited six months before the price became reasonable only for Simon to hit the buy now a second before I got the chance too !

So now Im on the verge of selling the touring and an e34 is the most likely successor Im wondering if Im doing the right thing in selling the Alpinas aswell.

Its highly unlikely I will get the car to the track but its not entirely out of the question however I would want any e34 I buy to be lowered, stiffened and sticking to the road.

So my question really is do I keep the Alpinas on risk the 18' issues (they are e39 fitment too so I will need to use spacers) or do I sell them and buy a set of 17's specifically for the e34 ?

Im also not to vain to admit that I love the 18' Alpinas and think a slightly lowered e34 looks the nuts on 18's. But I know all about the e32/e34 shimmy and I dont want to start with a set of wheels that may well be the cause of it.

[Guest Simon*]

You've seen those wheels on my car so you know how they look on a lowered hot E34 - pics still in gallery and showroom too for reference

I would have happily run them on mine with hubcentric rings - their width and the fact that they're 18's never concerned me in the slightest. You KNOW you love Alpinas and you've put a lot of work into getting them so keep them and sell the touring with some other wheels. They'll fit whatever you buy in future - E32, 34, 38 or 39

The only thing remotely approaching a shimmy in my car was corrected by a "proper" wheel alignment, by a specialist outfit who do racecars etc and weren't scared of a bit of camber (trailing arm and all underbody bushes aside)

[martyyn 2]

You've seen those wheels on my car so you know how they look on a lowered hot E34 - pics still in gallery and showroom too for reference

This is what I fancy, but a bit lower in the front and in black if I can get it

[Creaver 55]

There you go Martyn! You just answered your own question

[martyyn 2]

Bugger

[Greg111 13]

May as well go with the E34 M5 package as well.

[Creaver 55]

^^^ True story

[kiwi535 538]

as long as you have the proper hubcentric rings running e 39 wheels wont be an issue.The shimmy is not compulsory.Good tyres,good wheels and good bushings means you wont have one.

[E30BMA 0]

If its all about how it looks Id go for the 18's, never driven an e34 with both 17 & 18 inch setups to compare, but from what Ive read/heard, 17's handle alot better. Is that true or not??

[ashmill 68]

Assmuning all the suspension bits and pieces have been replaced/tidied/stiffened what would be your preference for both driving and looks ?

Im not interested in the 'style' of rim, only the size. Ive been reading quite contrasting experiences on various forums on rims sizes for the e34. Obviously its a big car and can take an 18' rim, but how does it affect (if at all) the ride?

Opinions please.

My car runs 235/45/17 all round but there is an optional 9" rim for the rear and as Graham states it is designed to run a 255 tyre. I find the car handles well as is but does understeer when pushed. A mod to dial out understeer is to fit the thicker rear swaybar from an E34M5 Touring.