For those of you that would like to see what 20" mesh wheels and tires look like on an E39 tourin

http://picasaweb.google.com/EricLarsonRC/BMW

Axis Penta 20" wheels, and Michelin PS2 Tires
Rear 20"x10" 295/25R20
Front 20"x9" 255/30R20

The fronts fit perfect. The rears JUST fit. No lip mod yet but I can see if the air suspension is flat it just touches. I may roll a bit just for safety though unless I lower the car it should be just fine. The liner rubs just a touch in the front during very hard bumps. I am either going to get M5 liners ($50 a piece is not bad at all) or try to warm up the liner and tweak it just a bit. The rub is very minor.

So what do you think :cool

Eric

Oh yes, very nice.

Yeah, I'd roll the rears if you lower the car. For the fronts, maybe try to heat up the liner first and see if you can get more clearance that way. You may want to research into front M5 liners, I thought it wasn't quite as easy as a swap as doing the rears.

Thanks for the input. I appreciate it.

The front looks like it will be ok. I have put blocks under one front wheel and loaded the suspension and I don't see that it will rub. The rear is a different story.

The 295 rears are HUGE. They really look good back there, but when the air suspension is low it will rub. Under normal driving right now I only get a very slight rub on the liner during hard bumps.

I think my game plan right now is M5 rear liners and roll the fender in the back. The front will stay stock.

Now I just need to find good front springs for the lower job. The rear should not be to bad with the air suspension as that is just an adjustment. Boy it looks good just a little lower. I thought 20's where too big but they really look impressive on a touring. 19's would sure be easier though.

I need to take a few hours and do some more searching on lowering an E39 touring with sport package. If anyone cares to limit my searching time with some direct info I would much appreciate it!

Eric

Those wheels ROCK! :buttrock

It would look great if you lowered it and also those wheels and that body style in black :drool:

Thanks, so far so good and I am pretty happy with them. Ran the car down the ATL freeway up well over normal traffic speeds (well into triple digits) and it was smooth as butter. The tires are a bit noisier than stock but not bad at all.

The back will need the lips rolled. It is just too darn close for comfort. No rub yet, but I would be beyond pissed off if they did ever.

I definitely need to drop the front. I just need to decide on which springs. I would like to find a set of just front springs as I have the air ride in back that is easy to adjust.

Eric

For those of you that would like to see what 20" mesh wheels and tires look like on an E39 tourin

We already knew. (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=695348&highlight=waggin) ;)

Oh yeah...old set. (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=513983&highlight=mesh)

Looks great, though! Pentas are hot. Now you just need to lower her a bit!