Tallest tire size / Max wheel diameter E91

JimLahey · 11-21-2023, 02:36 AM

Hi everyone,
I’m planning on making my E91 a little more capable off the paved roads. I want to increase the ride night as much as possible (within safe and comfortable limits ofcourse) by fitting bigger all-terrain tyres. I’m planning to buy 16” (7J ET34) style 32 wheels because I like to have higher tire walls.

What would be the biggest size tire to fit? I’ve searched a lot online, but most info is regarding tire width and bigger rim size with flatter tires.

Thanks a lot!

eljay · 11-21-2023, 06:10 AM

I would turn the wheel left right and look for the spot where it's at the closest distance to the fender and fender liner. That's the space/clearance with which you are playing if you keep the standard tire width. Then you need to decide how much mud and snow and ice will be there given the intended use before it destroys your liners and maybe the fender metal. Take the space that's left in milimeters and calculate the tire profile you need.

If you really want to go off the beaten path, I'd take a look underneath and protect what you can with some metal shields.

hxxnqzzmdn · 04-14-2026, 11:44 PM

For the OP, if you're still around, what'd you find out? I want to re-use a garage full of tires off an e61 I'm selling. The 5 series diameter's around 26" whereas most e9x tires are around 25". Am I buying all new summer and winter tires if I'm replacing the e61 with an e90??

e90yyc · 04-16-2026, 08:51 AM

Go to willtheyfit.com and see how the e61 wheels compare to the fitment of the stock e90 wheels.

Make sure you accurately reflect all the details including width and offset of the wheels.

I suspect they’d physically fit without rubbing but you might be getting close. You’d also have reasonably high speedo error (4%~ low) and it’s hard to say how they’d look especially with the oversized rubber.

Cloverdale · 04-17-2026, 09:34 PM

A 16" wheel that fits an E91? A 17" wheel I had on an 04 325 could not be bolted to my 07 335 due to caliper clearance issue.

StradaRedlands · 04-18-2026, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloverdale

A 16" wheel that fits an E91? A 17" wheel I had on an 04 325 could not be bolted to my 07 335.

Yeah, 16" were the standards on E9x without sport or premium packages. My '09 has 282s:

11-21-2023, 02:36 AM	#1
JimLahey Registered 2 Rep 3 Posts Drives: BMW e91 318i LCI Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Netherlans iTrader: (0)	Tallest tire size / Max wheel diameter E91 Hi everyone, I’m planning on making my E91 a little more capable off the paved roads. I want to increase the ride night as much as possible (within safe and comfortable limits ofcourse) by fitting bigger all-terrain tyres. I’m planning to buy 16” (7J ET34) style 32 wheels because I like to have higher tire walls. What would be the biggest size tire to fit? I’ve searched a lot online, but most info is regarding tire width and bigger rim size with flatter tires. Thanks a lot!
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11-21-2023, 06:10 AM	#2
eljay Colonel 2172 Rep 2,555 Posts Drives: ///M + E91 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: NS iTrader: (1)	I would turn the wheel left right and look for the spot where it's at the closest distance to the fender and fender liner. That's the space/clearance with which you are playing if you keep the standard tire width. Then you need to decide how much mud and snow and ice will be there given the intended use before it destroys your liners and maybe the fender metal. Take the space that's left in milimeters and calculate the tire profile you need. If you really want to go off the beaten path, I'd take a look underneath and protect what you can with some metal shields.
	Appreciate 1 johnnyorange66.00 Quote

04-14-2026, 11:44 PM	#3
hxxnqzzmdn New Member 23 Rep 18 Posts Drives: BMW e92n51, e61 Join Date: Dec 2025 Location: Eugene, OR iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 BMW 535i xDriv ... [0.00] 2007 BMW 328i Coupe [0.00]	For the OP, if you're still around, what'd you find out? I want to re-use a garage full of tires off an e61 I'm selling. The 5 series diameter's around 26" whereas most e9x tires are around 25". Am I buying all new summer and winter tires if I'm replacing the e61 with an e90??
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04-16-2026, 08:51 AM	#4
e90yyc Art Collector 2873 Rep 3,774 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi (GM-delete 6MT) Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Go to willtheyfit.com and see how the e61 wheels compare to the fitment of the stock e90 wheels. Make sure you accurately reflect all the details including width and offset of the wheels. I suspect they’d physically fit without rubbing but you might be getting close. You’d also have reasonably high speedo error (4%~ low) and it’s hard to say how they’d look especially with the oversized rubber. __________________ When I'm dead, just throw me in the trash.
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04-17-2026, 09:34 PM	#5
Cloverdale Lieutenant 323 Rep 560 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Jb4 & perf. mods. Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Cloverdale, BC, Canada. iTrader: (0)	A 16" wheel that fits an E91? A 17" wheel I had on an 04 325 could not be bolted to my 07 335 due to caliper clearance issue. Last edited by Cloverdale; 04-18-2026 at 09:33 AM..
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