18, 19, or 20" wheels?

[saj3n]

I am debating which size wheels to get. I wanted to know if anyone is aware of any speedometer problems with certain size wheels, as well as the max wheel/tire size. Thanks!

[Rory535i]

go for 20's!!!

[Russell]

Not to sound harsh. However, IMO, I think 18 may be the very max wheel size you can put on an e34 without creating severe ride, handling, wear and safety problems on the suspension and steering with a practical street vehicle. 18s may even be too large.

Check the archives and I think you will find many questions and answers that may help you. A search will also reveal some of the negative sides of larger wheels/tires.

Not sure about the speedometer issue. However, some cars are really affected by larger diameter wheels and tires. Be aware that extreme diameter changes of wheels will create a very unsafe vehicle.


I am debating which size wheels to get. I wanted to know if anyone is aware of any speedometer problems with certain size wheels, as well as the max wheel/tire size. Thanks!

[Anthony (M5 in Calgary)]

but I also think 17's are plenty. With ~2deg rear negative camber a much shorter and stiffer sidewall will cause the rear tire's inside edge to take most of the load. My 235/45R17s chunk quite a bit on the inside edge - stock size.

Of course it is a matter of taste and the smoothness of your local roads. Around here 18 or 19s would die a quick death in potholes.

Anthony

[rickm]

24" with spinners!

http://www.rimgod.com/images/spintek_ICE882.gif are the bomb!

[Anthony (M5 in Calgary)]

24" with spinners!

http://www.rimgod.com/images/spintek_ICE882.gif are the bomb!

:Barf!

[pmlmotorsports]

I am debating which size wheels to get. I wanted to know if anyone is aware of any speedometer problems with certain size wheels, as well as the max wheel/tire size. Thanks!
Speedometer problems?.....................none. Suspension problems?........several. Ride comfort problems?.............many. Wheel durability problems?.............abso-#$%^ing-lutely. Normally I would extend some friendly advice, but in this case I would be wasting my time. twenty inch rims on an E34 is absurd.

[Kalevera]

No no no....

You need the 26" version of these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7972584272

best, whit

[rickm]

I'd cut my nuts off and drive a Gremlin before I put those nasty looking things on my car.

[Kalevera]

Hahaha.

Yes, but it's the "dual bearing chrome" whispaspinnaz, honny!

[darron525]

I think by speedo problems he means the reading. Here is a site that you can enter your desired tire size and it will give you the speedo reading vs the actuall speed you are traveling, for instance my set up is 235/40/18 and 265/35/18, and it says that my speedo would read too fast by .04% which means when the speedo reads 60mph I am actually giong 59.8mph which is not much of a difference, but that depends on your tire size.

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

darron

[saj3n]

I think by speedo problems he means the reading. Here is a site that you can enter your desired tire size and it will give you the speedo reading vs the actuall speed you are traveling, for instance my set up is 235/40/18 and 265/35/18, and it says that my speedo would read too fast by .04% which means when the speedo reads 60mph I am actually giong 59.8mph which is not much of a difference, but that depends on your tire size.

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

darron

Thanks Darron, exactly what i was looking for.... I think 18's are the best bet.

[Jose]

18 is the max a E34 can take with a decent side wall height on the tires. Try to get a higher offset for example 25/28 instead of 20 as this will make the E34 track a lot better with the 18's .

[Kalevera]

The car will probably still tramline all over the place with anything wider than a 235, though. Higher offset would help with the corners though, wouldn't it? I'm also thinking that it would exaggerate any camber issues (from lowering/dead suspension).

My Kumho 712's pick up ruts in the road like it's their job.

best, whit

[pundit]

24" with spinners!

http://www.rimgod.com/images/spintek_ICE882.gif

Naah... not 'bling' enough!

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

I'd recommend 13s

[632 Regal]

LOL @ Bob

[jplacson]

Hahahahaha!!!

Seriously... I'm running 18s. Just so you know the 'durability' score, I recently had a bad pothole episode... Was driving along our wonderfully potholed highway, which is like driving a slalom course everyday, and I couldn't avoid this one really bad pothole which occupied half the lane... tore (yep, TORE the sidewall, not the tread) out both my right-side tires and dented both right side rims. I limped over to the nearest mall since mall carparks are guarded and generally safer than the side of the road. Called a fellow member who lent me his spare so I could get my car home.

Had both rims repaired (2 places fixed it, one fixed the dents and scratches, the other place painted it) So now they're good as new again! :)

I had been running Dunlop LMs (225/45/18) for the past year ++ ... switched over to the new Goodyear Eagle F1s (235/40/18)... WOW... BIG difference. My car used to tramline a lot since our roads aren't really well paved... but now, tramlining is almost zero. I don't have to fight the steering wheel anymore!

Just sharing my experience with 18s. :P

[niall]

go for 20's,

then you will be "rollin on 20 strong" !!!!!!!!!

serioulsy i have seen a few in Oz with 19' alpinas and they
look hot

[pundit]

No no no....

You need the 26" version of these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7972584272

best, whit
OMG... there are some sick bad taste puppies out there!

http://i5.ebayimg.com/02/i/03/8a/0b/ad_1_b.JPG

If I drove round on these things I would expect someone to shove a .357 Magnum through my window before the week was up.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

For that very reason.....potholes the size of swimming pools.

[Kalevera]

..and they probably give the worst ride ever :(

17" really is the optimal size, but...like the topic of oil, everyone has their own opinion.


best, whit

[niall]

haha yeah no doubt they give a real bad ride,
plus more risk of damage, plus the crazy price of tires,
but for looks, i think 19's are kick ass