I ordered up some 19" wheels for the wife's 528i. 235/35/19 front, 275/30/19 rear. I'm a little concerned with the quality loss in ride. I know going from 15" to 19" is going to be a huge difference, but will 19" wheels rattle out fillings, or is the BMW suspwnsion good enough to soak it up?

How do you like your ride with 19" wheels?

The suspension is is great on the 5 so thats not really going to be a big factor in ride quality. Its the the tires that will, because now you will be riding on basically rubber bands. Are you going to lower the car any?


Oh yeah I've done 19's and now riding on 20's, but its not too bad of a ride but definitely not like riding on stock wheels.

No plans to lower the car right now.

Well the only thing is now that you're using a 30 and 35 tire there will be a pretty large gap between the fender and tire.

I ordered up some 19" wheels for the wife's 528i. 235/35/19 front, 275/30/19 rear. I'm a little concerned with the quality loss in ride. I know going from 15" to 19" is going to be a huge difference, but will 19" wheels rattle out fillings, or is the BMW suspwnsion good enough to soak it up?

How do you like your ride with 19" wheels?

You will likely have rear tire rub problems, especially if haven't replaced rear wheel liners nor rolled fenders.

You will likely have rear tire rub problems, especially if haven't replaced rear wheel liners nor rolled fenders.

You can tell this without knowing wheel width or offset?

Well the only thing is now that you're using a 30 and 35 tire there will be a pretty large gap between the fender and tire.


Why? Overall diameter is the same as factory, the gap should be identical, just more rim then rubber.

Well at least you know there will be a gap....I prefer there not be one at all. This may seem weird but the rear of the car will look lower than the front when you do change your wheels.

I just put the same size wheels on my 540i. Ride is a little more bumpy, but not too bad at all. I think you will want to lower it after seeing your wheel gap though.Just my opinion.Congrats :)

The ride will be a lot bumpy, especially if you are going from 15 to 19. Hope you wife likes it, she may start complaining due to the harsh ride. You will be albe to feel every bump on the road. I have 18's with h&r springs and my roommate has the stock suspension and the stock 15 inch wheels, it feels so good to ride in his car, bumps are soaked up by the tire and the suspension.
About rubbing in the rear even if you overall diameter is the same the 19 inch wheel is going to be wider than the the 15 so that may cause rubbing issues. Just need to roll your fenders, take about 1 hour to do.
Gool luck, 19's will look good on your car

You can tell this without knowing wheel width or offset?

Yes, I am psychic. Actually, it's called using the search function and having friends with E39s.

Yes, I am psychic. Actually, it's called using the search function and having friends with E39s.

The search function knows my wheel width and offset?!?!?!? :eek:


edit - I researched it, you're talking out of your ass. Tirerack says a 275 will fit and I KNOW that they are conservative. A search also showed people have 275s with no issues...

As per your post you said in the rear you are going with a 275 series tire, the reason some one get this is becasue the rim is at least 9" wide, which will rub when the car has 4 people sitting in it and also when you get in and out a parking lots that are a little elevated.

As per your post you said in the rear you are going with a 275 series tire, the reason some one get this is becasue the rim is at least 9" wide, which will rub when the car has 4 people sitting in it and also when you get in and out a parking lots that are a little elevated.

Stock suspension? Are you sure? Tire Rack lists a 19X10 inch rim with a 275/30. They don't list combos that don't fit. I'm not saying you're wrong, but I'd like to see some tech on these claims, that's all :)

Yeah you will be fine with the stock suspension when you are driving in a straight line with some normal road bumps. Now the problem comes when you take a fast turn and the car leans on one side it may rub or when you go in parking lots as I mentioned before. It would be a little safer to roll the fenders.

I'll check it out when we fit them today. Is it the lip or the inner wheel well that is more likely to hit?

Lip not the inner wheel line. Also let me know how you feel about the ride.

The search function knows my wheel width and offset?!?!?!? :eek:


edit - I researched it, you're talking out of your ass. Tirerack says a 275 will fit and I KNOW that they are conservative. A search also showed people have 275s with no issues...

Yeah, I'm just talkin' outa my a$$. Go ahead stick the 275's on. I'm sure that you'll have absolutely no problems. Plus, the 19" rims on stock suspension will look awesome. I hear the 4x4 fender gap look is in these days.

I have 19" AC Schnitzer TYPE III on my 2002 540ia sport- a little stiffer ride but no real noticeable difference- I use 265 tires in the rear to avoid rubbing issues...

I have 19" Rims on my 530, overall driving is nearly the same, diving into the corners it sticks like glue, but every freaking little pot hole you feel big time. You make sacrafices when you get bigger rims, it up to you how much sacrafice you want. As for fender gap, I have less fender gap with my 19's then the stock 17's, but this is a sport model so... Wheels are 19x8.5 and tires are 245-35-19. I prefer the 245 as the 235 makes it look ricer to me. I posted some pics a while back here http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=318741

I need to take some more pics one of these days to show why you should get 245... they look so much better.

OH BTW, If you have never driven with big rims get ready for having them bent. I have yet to meet someone who did not bend at least one rim before they learned to watch the road...

whatever happened to the E60 M5? there was alot of hype a while back, then all of a sudden everything died down with no sign of it. i thought the car was supposed to come out at the end of 2004? ...no?

whatever happened to the E60 M5? there was alot of hype a while back, then all of a sudden everything died down with no sign of it. i thought the car was supposed to come out at the end of 2004? ...no?


WTF? What post do you think your in?

WTF? What post do you think your in?


oops, i accidentaly placed it here, sorry!

Wheels and tires are on, no rubbing, no spacers, no problems. Wheel gap looks good to me as well. :buttrock The ride is still very smooth, maybe the roads here are better than others, but no problems with the few hundred miles we have put on her so far. :redspot

I love the 19's. I had stock 17's before I put on the 19s, and with the 19's there isn't a HUGE difference. The car still rides nice even with my Eibach Pro Kit.

Do it, get the 19's! :cool

Wheels and tires are on, no rubbing, no spacers, no problems. Wheel gap looks good to me as well. :buttrock The ride is still very smooth, maybe the roads here are better than others, but no problems with the few hundred miles we have put on her so far. :redspot

Post some pics when you get a chance.

I'm debating on wheel and tire sizing right now and pics might help.

Congrats, I just did the same thing a little while back. Guys on the board have mixed reviews about the 275s in the rear. Tirerack also posts incorrect sizing for the e39s. So some of their advertised wheels do in fact rub, while others do not. Typically, guys run the 265 in the rear to avoid rubbing. I purchased my rims and tires through Tirerack and they did in fact rub. After a moderate rolling of the rear fenders, my 540 sport no longer rubs.

IMHO - Research is your best bet, starting at a place like here. The guys at Tirerack are helpful, but they don't drive e39s and only a few have M3s. So your best bet is to take all the advice you can.

Congrats on the wheels, post some pictures.

My GF told me,"Bigger is better and rubbing is nice." :buttrock

just watch for the potholes :alright :alright

If you're still riding on stock shocks & springs you're gonna really hate it if you ever have a car full of passengers with 19's on!!! Im all for the stock sport suspension but with having 19's, getting Koni Adjustables in the back is a MUST at a minimum. The stiffer compression/rebound will help prevent rubbing while giving a ride thats not too harsh. I also found that since 19's filled the fenderwell up pretty good, I wasnt so gung-ho about getting springs asap either. I found it odd that when I got Bilstein Sports for the rear, it raised the car UP giving an even bigger fender gap in the back :confused , but with the Koni's it didnt do that and stayed at stock height. These will give you a stiffer ride in the rear but aslo give a better rebound than your stock shocks can give, thus helping with supporting the weight of additional passengers.

Intersting. The car is used 70% with my wife solo to work and back, 20% with her and I, 8% with a third person and 2% with 4 folks. Not a major concern at this point...

I'll post some pics tonight.

If you're still riding on stock shocks & springs you're gonna really hate it if you ever have a car full of passengers with 19's on!!! Im all for the stock sport suspension but with having 19's, getting Koni Adjustables in the back is a MUST at a minimum. The stiffer compression/rebound will help prevent rubbing while giving a ride thats not too harsh. I also found that since 19's filled the fenderwell up pretty good, I wasnt so gung-ho about getting springs asap either. I found it odd that when I got Bilstein Sports for the rear, it raised the car UP giving an even bigger fender gap in the back :confused , but with the Koni's it didnt do that and stayed at stock height. These will give you a stiffer ride in the rear but aslo give a better rebound than your stock shocks can give, thus helping with supporting the weight of additional passengers.

I'm running on stock sport suspension and I have 19x10 on the rears. I've had my car full of passengers in the back and had no problems with rubbing. I haven't had my fenders rolled and I can't remember what offset I'm running in the back, but I am running 275's on the rears.

I'm running on stock sport suspension and I have 19x10 on the rears. I've had my car full of passengers in the back and had no problems with rubbing. I haven't had my fenders rolled and I can't remember what offset I'm running in the back, but I am running 275's on the rears.

With looking at your pic in your sig, thats stock susupension in the back?? :sh1a

your sig in motion with that 5series slidin thru the turn is INSANE!!!!!!! :buttrock Is that you doing that in your car?

The sig is Photo shopped. It's actually not that low. (It soon will be though).
Here's the original pic:
http://members.roadfly.org/e39540i6/DSCF0092.jpg

And no that's not me, that's an M5 drifting. I wish I could do that.

Intersting. The car is used 70% with my wife solo to work and back, 20% with her and I, 8% with a third person and 2% with 4 folks. Not a major concern at this point...

I'll post some pics tonight.

Pics please :buttrock

Intersting. The car is used 70% with my wife solo to work and back, 20% with her and I, 8% with a third person and 2% with 4 folks. Not a major concern at this point...

I'll post some pics tonight.
I'll be surprised if they don't rub over uneven roads with 4 people in. But let us know.

Intersting. The car is used 70% with my wife solo to work and back, 20% with her and I, 8% with a third person and 2% with 4 folks. Not a major concern at this point...

I'll post some pics tonight.

Bring on the pics. :)

I've been slacking on the pictures. They look better in person, I just don't like the angle of the shots I guess.

http://www.streetknights.com/MVG/5er/1.JPG
http://www.streetknights.com/MVG/5er/2.JPG
http://www.streetknights.com/MVG/5er/3.JPG
http://www.streetknights.com/MVG/5er/4.JPG

Those rims look awesome but there is too much gap between the tire and fender.

Looks great!

What widths are they?

You should expect most people to comment on the ride height and wheel-to-fender gap but, like you said
"Overall diameter is the same as factory, the gap should be identical, just more rim then rubber."

Everyone likes the look of a slammed car but, not everyone wants to give up ride quality and comfort. :buttrock

Oh yeah, here is the before shot :D

http://www.streetknights.com/MVG/5er/5er.jpg

sorry to say... its looks really weird imo.... perhaps its the combo of gaps & dish is too deep...

your sig in motion with that 5series slidin thru the turn is INSANE!!!!!!! :buttrock Is that you doing that in your car? It's Tiff Needel driving an m5 on top gear (or was it fifth gear?)

It's Tiff Needel driving an m5 on top gear (or was it fifth gear?)

It was when he was on Top Gear I believe.

cool rims! If you lower the car you'll prolly rub if you're not rubbing already.

Car looks great.

If you're looking for any cost-effective appearance items, I would do the BMW Aero lip in the front and the 2001+ kidneys for a nice update.

Car looks great.

If you're looking for any cost-effective appearance items, I would do the BMW Aero lip in the front and the 2001+ kidneys for a nice update.
celis tail lights are a must for an updated look
love the car and the rims nice

i cant see the pics...all i see are boxes with a little x in them? im looking for a 19" wheel/tire combo too...this would help me decide i think.

You guys are making me nervous as I have a set of 20" wheels and tires on their way for my E60

The search function knows my wheel width and offset?!?!?!? :eek:


edit - I researched it, you're talking out of your ass. Tirerack says a 275 will fit and I KNOW that they are conservative. A search also showed people have 275s with no issues...

I actually had 275 on my 2000 E39 540 when I bought OEM M5 wheels and they did indeed rub even when I put on the M5 liner. I didn't want to roll and pull the fender so I just went down to 265's and the rub is gone. People have different experiences because of different tire manufacturer's. Some tire brands sidewalls are thicker than others. By the way, I have Michelin Pilot Sports.

celis tail lights are a must for an updated look
love the car and the rims nice

Not before angel eyes.

that car looks sweet with the 19". i dont understand why my 10*18 with 265/35/18. dont fit my car. some good points on this topic. it could be the brand of tyre that i got. the wall is thicker then my previous tyres. my fenders are rolled as well.