Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[mbehe87]

Please excuse me for asking what you all may think are some stupid questions. I have searched everywhere and it seems that everyone's situation (and opinion) vary.

Current Set-Up:
2007 335xi sedan
BMW OEM 159 wheels 17x8" all around
225/45/17 ContiProContact RFTs (came with the car)

I'm leaning towards 18" BMW 197 wheels, either 8" or 8.5" all around. I think this would require a 225/40/18 or 245/40/18 but please correct me if that is wrong.

Will it fit? Will it rub? Can you reccomend a good all-season tire that will do ok in the snow (and decent on dry pavement)? I don't plan on ever taking this thing to the track. I just want to be safe in the winter and look good in the summer.

I live in PA, moving to WV, so I will be doing a good bit of snow-driving.

Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated... Thanks

[MassBimmer]

They will easily fit although either set up will look tucked in the rear so you may want some spacers (at least 12-15mm). I would go 225/40/18 for 18x8 and 235/40/18 for 18x8.5 if you're running a square set-up. I have run the Continental ExtremeContact DWS for almost a year and love them in snow or on dry pavement.

[mbehe87]

Thanks for the advice. I have no experience with using wheel spacers, do they cause any issues? Do you recommend a certain brand or material?

Also about the tires, it looks like they don't make the DWS in run-flat. I don't have room to hide a spare and I would rather not keep one sitting in the trunk.

[remmib]

Why not get the staggered 197 set up with 225/40 and 255/35, that will fit your xi too.

[mbehe87]

Originally Posted by remmib

Why not get the staggered 197 set up with 225/40 and 255/35, that will fit your xi too.

I guess I'm just a little worried about running wheels with a different diameter (small as the difference may be, 0.24% or something)... and also being limited when its time to rotate the wheels. Maybe you can talk me out of this fear haha. I never had an AWD car before and it just seems like a bad idea to have staggered wheels.

[spieldawg]

the overall outsite diameter of the tires should be close enough not to cause any sort of problems.

Staggered is the way to go, in my opinion. It just brings the look of the car to a new level.

[mbehe87]

Originally Posted by spieldawg

the overall outsite diameter of the tires should be close enough not to cause any sort of problems.

Staggered is the way to go, in my opinion. It just brings the look of the car to a new level.

Just playing devil's advocate here. I used the calculator above which said I will have 9mm less clearance on the strut side and the outside edge of the wheel will extend an extra 3mm.

So - Will I still need a spacer with the staggered setup? I don't think I will notice 3mm...

[remmib]

Originally Posted by mbehe87

Just playing devil's advocate here. I used the calculator above which said I will have 9mm less clearance on the strut side and the outside edge of the wheel will extend an extra 3mm.

So - Will I still need a spacer with the staggered setup? I don't think I will notice 3mm...

Stopp worrying, the OEM 18" staggered fitment with 225/40 and 255/35 is a option from BMW even for the xi models.
Bolt on fitment.

[MassBimmer]

Originally Posted by remmib

Stopp worrying, the OEM 18" staggered fitment with 225/40 and 255/35 is a option from BMW even for the xi models.
Bolt on fitment.

+1, Remmib is right...BMW offered these wheels as an option on xi models. They are 100% ok for your car

[mbehe87]

Ok, I trust you guys about the staggered setup working with my XI. Now I'm just wondering, why go staggered?

I'm not too concerned about performance gain as I won't be taking it to the track. I just want to give it a better look by going to 18" rims and making the rear wheels flush with the edge of the fender.

By going staggered, the calculator says the outer edge of my wheel will be extended by 3mm. It sounds like I will need rear spacers anyway to have the desired effect, so why not just go 8" or 8.5" all around?


Also, any suggestions for a good all-season RFT? I will be doing a good bit of snow driving and would like to avoid having a specific winter set (but that isn't out of the question).

Sorry for the repetitive questions, I really do appreciate all the advice.

[Gary@TireRack]

There are no all-season runflat tires made in 255/35R18. You'll need to go summer-only rft, or all season non-rft if staggering in 18" on the Xi.

Tires
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&...ires/index.jsp

[mbehe87]

Originally Posted by Gary@TireRack

There are no all-season runflat tires made in 255/35R18. You'll need to go summer-only rft, or all season non-rft if staggering in 18" on the Xi.

Tires
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&...ires/index.jsp

Thanks Gary. Sounds like I'm going to have to run dedicated summer/winter wheels if I go staggered. Can someone please explain what the big deal is with staggered wheels when they only extend the outside edge by 3mm? I know, bigger contact patch for grip. But performance aside, is there any other reason?

[spieldawg]

You just need the right offset...

[mbehe87]

Originally Posted by spieldawg

You just need the right offset...

Meaning if I go staggered, I would be better off looking for non-oem wheels?

What offset should I be looking for? I think the stock staggered is +34 front and +37 rear.

[mbehe87]

I'm also looking for some advice on wheel adapters (spacers). If I stick with OEM wheels I will want spacers for at least the rear.

I did some forum searching and it seems that H&R Trak+ and EAS Macht Schnell are commonly used. Does anyone have a preference? Or a suggestion of other brands?

The idea of bolting the spacer to the stud then using other bolts to secure the wheel seems dangerous. I saw H&R Trak+ DRS provides longer studs that need to be exchanged with the current ones. That concept seems safer but I'm still a little hesitant. Can anyone running spacers or who is familliar with spacers give me some insight?

[VMRWheels]

Originally Posted by mbehe87

I'm also looking for some advice on wheel adapters (spacers). If I stick with OEM wheels I will want spacers for at least the rear.

I did some forum searching and it seems that H&R Trak+ and EAS Macht Schnell are commonly used. Does anyone have a preference? Or a suggestion of other brands?

The idea of bolting the spacer to the stud then using other bolts to secure the wheel seems dangerous. I saw H&R Trak+ DRS provides longer studs that need to be exchanged with the current ones. That concept seems safer but I'm still a little hesitant. Can anyone running spacers or who is familliar with spacers give me some insight?

Both are great quality spacers so either brand will work.

With both kits, longer bolts will be included with the package so you will not be reusing the OE lug bolts.

-Charles@VMRWheels

[mbehe87]

Originally Posted by VMRWheels

Both are great quality spacers so either brand will work.

With both kits, longer bolts will be included with the package so you will not be reusing the OE lug bolts.

-Charles@VMRWheels

Thanks Charles. I watched a few install videos on YouTube, but they must have been spacer/adapters because they showed the spacer being bolted to the hub, then separate bolts from the spacer to the wheel.