I would love to get a set of 17x8's with 235/45-17's but I am concerned with the possible degradation in ride quality. I have a '95 530i with the stock wheel and tire package (15x7's with 225/60-15's). I have driven too many cars that ride like cheap pieces of crap with low pro's (is a 45 low these days?). Anyways, I would like to hear from any E34 owners who have upgraded to a 17x8 or something similar the pros and cons of such an upgrade. My suspension is completely stock and brand new front and back (new bushings, struts, and control arms etc, the works). Thanks!

i weighed a stock 15" wheel and tire vs. a 17" combo, the weights are less than 5% different, so that shouldn't be an issue.

i'll let others chime with with ride quality. one other thing i've noticed on an e36 was going to 17" wheels made it much more "darty", and it really followed grooves in the road.

that being said, i plan to upgrade this spring. :D

i one other thing i've noticed on an e36 was going to 17" wheels made it much more "darty", and it really followed grooves in the road.

that being said, i plan to upgrade this spring. :D

I believe thats called tramlining. Anytime you move to bigger wheels and wider tires road feel improves and steering is more responsive. You will feel a firmer ride with 17's and even more with 18's. There's just less rubber between the road and your rim to cushion you from the bumps. I chose 17's just because the roads here are horrid and I would surely bend an 18 in no time.

I've had both a set of 18's with 40 series tires and 17's with 45's. The 17's yield a far better ride on the street and they are more protective of your rims.

They dont ride bad at all but with lowering springs you will need new shocks at some point I plan on going with bilstein touring as they are said to offer a more stock like ride quality.

When I put the 17s on my great-shape OE suspension, I honestly felt the ride quality improved.

Less boaty and floaty. A bit more firm, but nowhere near harsh or unforgiving. You can feel more imperfections in the road, which I prefer.

It feels like how it should have come from the factory. Still far too soft for me, but that's due to the stock springs/struts.

i got 18s with 235/40/R18s. doesn't ride too bad. you feel a bit more though.

i have a 94 540i and i work at a tire shop so i obviously bought rims, i too went from a 15 to a 17x8 and went 245/45 all around, it grips wayy better, the ride is smoother too, i also went with bfg g sports. hope that helps

Thanks for the opinions guys. I think I will give the 17's a shot. An E34 is a solid car and my suspension is brand new OE, I think I will be okay. My concerns come from driving Integras and other stuff like that and feeling the suspension crash through its travel. Besides, as far as I know, 17x8's were available for E34's a an option in Europe.

Thanks for the opinions guys. I think I will give the 17's a shot. An E34 is a solid car and my suspension is brand new OE, I think I will be okay. My concerns come from driving Integras and other stuff like that and feeling the suspension crash through its travel. Besides, as far as I know, 17x8's were available for E34's a an option in Europe.

it shows as an option on my doorsill, 15" wheels, and 17" wheels.

If your suspension is upto snuff, they offer a firmer ride but e34s seem to be pretty forgiving that way. 16s are a nice compromise as well