Two quick tire / wheel questions

[MattyHarris]

Hi!
Will 225/60/15 tires fit an E12? I want to transfer my E34 15" style 5s to my E12, and they still have a lot of rubber left.

Second question is do E38 16x8 rims work with E12?

Thanks!

[T.Hanson]

Lug bolt pattern, fender clearance. One way to see if they fit is to raise the car and see if one fits.

The same with all other wheel, tire combinations. In lieu of having one to try, it's about the (lug bolt) photo, dimensions, as in homework. If you don't get a quick and easy reply here.

[Qwodracer]

I have the style 4 16x8 they are +22 offset. (From an e38) And I am running a 215/60-16

On the rears there is less than a 1/4 inch gap sidewall to the strut face, and same at the top of the tire and spring perch

On the fronts, the tires rub the frame before reaching full turn, and the sidewall and face of strut have the same 1/4inch gap

I'm only running them for this fall, come spring I'll have some properly sized tires.

So a 15 would probably fit within those limits, unless the offset it way crazy.

[PatinaBeforePolish]

MattyHarris,

I believe e38 wheels have a 72.6 hub diameter but it may depend on the wheel. I know e38 M Parallels are sized this way. Most if not all BMW 5 x 120 lug pattern wheels are 74.1 mm. It the wheels aren't original to the car, you'll just have to try them to see. The offset should be cast into the wheel somewhere if OEM.

The 225/60 x 15 tires will likely fit but are the wrong height and will affect your speedo reading. Here's how tire heights are measured using the standard e12 size as an example:

195/70 x 14
195= tire width in millimeters
70 = the aspect ratio or the sidewall height is 70% of the tire width
14 = rim diameter in inches

195 x .70 = 136.5. 136.5 x 2 (top plus bottom of tire) = 273 mm
273 divided by 25.4 (25.4 mm = 1 inch) = 10.748 inches
10.748 + 14 (wheel diameter) = 24.748 "

225/60 x 15 are 25.677" inches, too tall.

The correct size if you're using a 15" wheel is 225/55 x 15 or 205/60 x 15.

Tire measurements will vary by brand, usually within 1/4".

[hilux30]

yes 225/55-15 would be the correct size for 225mm section. I just picked up a set off an E36 with the mesh factory wheels. I don't believe the E36 wheels would work on the E12 for offset (tire will rub on frame)... They will be mounted on current 15x7 +20 BBS shoes.. That might preset an issue with the rear rubbing on fender but we'll see...

I'm also looking out for 215/60-14 tires for a set of 14x7 +11 Mahls I picked up. An old GM size that does not exist in brand/performance name ...

[PatinaBeforePolish]

You have a choice of 1, good ol BF Goodrich Radial T/As

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearc ... iameter=17

[hilux30]

You have a choice of 1, good ol BF Goodrich Radial T/As

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearc ... iameter=17

it's strange that I might purchase the same exact tires I had in high school 25 years ago on my old '80 Caprice Coupe.. still the same