BMW 523i E39 wheel & tire sizing

[TS1997]

Hello!

I have a 1999 BMW 523i E39 m-sport that I want to get new wheels for as I have to get new tires for it. I've been looking at 7Twenty Style 57s as they come in 5x120 with the 74.1mm bore that I've understood that the E39 have. The problem is that they only come in 5x120 in 18x9.5" ET20 and 18x10.5" ET20 and I'm now wondering if they would work? I've read that 18x9.5" ET20 should work fine in the rear but can't find anything regarding the front.

Would a squared 18x9.5" ET20 setup work on my E39 or possibly even a staggered setup with 18x9.5" ET20 as fronts and 18x10.5" ET20 as rears? If either works, what tire sizes do you guys recommend if I want a "meaty" setup without a lot of stretch? I don't want it to rub though as it's the daily.

If it doesn't work, do you guys know of any 18-19" wheels that come in sizes that work for the E39 with a similar look to those mentioned? Or possibly something else as well as I have a hard time deciding exactly what I want. I'm interested in both new and used wheels and have a budget of £380 per wheel but would prefer something closer to the price of the Style 57s above. I don't want a cheap low quality wheel though and value quality over price in that regard.

Whatever I get will go on this one:

Thanks in advance!

 

[Fraser Mac]

Hi mate,

You are right as far as i am aware regarding the center bore / spigot situation.

I dont have any examples of that exact wheel on an E39, but here is a one with 19x9.5 ET38 Square -

So the ET20 would be 18mm further out front and rear than this, which i think would be OK with the right tire combination.

I think with a "meaty" tire you are going to have to roll the arches a bit to make them work. Not a straight fit but it'll look great!

https://www.driftworks.com/7twenty-style-57-in-black-18x9-5-5x120-et20.html

 

[TS1997]

Hi mate,

You are right as far as i am aware regarding the center bore / spigot situation.

I dont have any examples of that exact wheel on an E39, but here is a one with 19x9.5 ET38 Square -

View attachment 309571View attachment 309572


So the ET20 would be 18mm further out front and rear than this, which i think would be OK with the right tire combination.

I think with a "meaty" tire you are going to have to roll the arches a bit to make them work. Not a straight fit but it'll look great!

https://www.driftworks.com/7twenty-style-57-in-black-18x9-5-5x120-et20.html

Thanks man! Do you have any idea of if any tire combination would work without rolling the arches? And do you think rolling would be enough or would I have to pull them a bit too in order to fit? You don't possibly have any spacers you could use to see how it would fit? Are there any clearance issues towards the struts or am I fine there? I might just roll and/or pull if necessary but mainly want to make sure they'll fit without too much work before placing the order What tire combination would you recommend?

Thanks!

 

[Bolf]

18x9.5" ET20 and 18x10.5" ET20

no problem on an e39 , just make sure to get 74.1 mm spigot rings , they will fill the arches well

235 tyre on front 265 on back , might need a slight lip fold but should be fine

I ran various sizes on e39 and they can take a wheel with low offset

 

[TS1997]

18x9.5" ET20 and 18x10.5" ET20

no problem on an e39 , just make sure to get 74.1 mm spigot rings , they will fill the arches well

235 tyre on front 265 on back , might need a slight lip fold but should be fine

I ran various sizes on e39 and they can take a wheel with low offset

Thanks man! Do you think a squared 265 or 275 tire would work or is that too big up front? The 7Twenty Style 57s I'm looking at come with the 74.1 mm bore so no rings will be needed

 

[Bolf]

265 is too much tyre for a low car on low offset on a 9,5 imo , but it would fit , might rub on full lock,