Would You Lower / Change Tire Size

General conversations about BMW E28s and the people who own them.
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jyl
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Would You Lower / Change Tire Size

Post by jyl »

Hi, I’ve been scarce with crazy life stuff, but got the E28 out of my shop / storage and started driving it again.

I threw on some 17” x 8” RC090 wheels that I picked up pretty inexpensively, with the random 235/45 17 tires they came with, just for fun. Here’s how it looks; I hope this link works:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/194300551 ... ted-public
1st 5er
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Re: Would You Lower / Change Tire Size

Post by 1st 5er »

15s here.
jyl
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Re: Would You Lower / Change Tire Size

Post by jyl »

I have the original 15”s as well.
Mike W.
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Re: Would You Lower / Change Tire Size

Post by Mike W. »

The car looks very good in your pic, but that's an awfully big, not to mention heavy tire for an E28. They're old now, but I think 225/50-16s are the sweet spot for E28s. They're big enough and chunky enough to look good and aggressive, but only somewhat overpower the fragile, shimmy prone front end.
vinceg101
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Re: Would You Lower / Change Tire Size

Post by vinceg101 »

Mike W. wrote: Jul 25, 2022 12:45 AM The car looks very good in your pic, but that's an awfully big, not to mention heavy tire for an E28. They're old now, but I think 225/50-16s are the sweet spot for E28s. They're big enough and chunky enough to look good and aggressive, but only somewhat overpower the fragile, shimmy prone front end.
I would agree with the 225/50-16 being the preferable size (with the exception that some tires in that size have wider section profiles that others and cause rubbing). You can also step down to 215/55 and 205/45 for fitment purposes while keeping the ratio the same.
stuartinmn
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Re: Would You Lower / Change Tire Size

Post by stuartinmn »

If they don't rub on anything I'd leave them as is.
Blue Shadow
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Re: Would You Lower / Change Tire Size

Post by Blue Shadow »

The 225/50-16 makes the steering sluggish. The closest tire to the original 535i metric 200/60-390 is the 205/55-16.

Vince, did you mean to put 205/45 instead of 205/55?
vinceg101
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Re: Would You Lower / Change Tire Size

Post by vinceg101 »

Blue Shadow wrote: Jul 25, 2022 12:38 PM The 225/50-16 makes the steering sluggish. The closest tire to the original 535i metric 200/60-390 is the 205/55-16.

Vince, did you mean to put 205/45 instead of 205/55?
Yes. My mistake.
jyl
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Location: Oregon

Re: Would You Lower / Change Tire Size

Post by jyl »

Looks like 225/45-17 is a close match for 225/50-16 in diameter and section width. Who runs 225/45-17 on RC090 8x17, and do they fit ok?
Panici
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Re: Would You Lower / Change Tire Size

Post by Panici »

jyl wrote: Jul 25, 2022 12:24 AM Hi, I’ve been scarce with crazy life stuff, but got the E28 out of my shop / storage and started driving it again.

I threw on some 17” x 8” RC090 wheels that I picked up pretty inexpensively, with the random 235/45 17 tires they came with, just for fun. Here’s how it looks; I hope this link works:

Image
Those do look great, but I imagine the smaller sidewall isn't great for the ride comfort aspect.

I personally prefer a larger sidewall for NVH, although I've never had a really nice set of wheels. Maybe my opinion would change if I had some big bucks to drop on a set of something fancy? :)
jyl
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Re: Would You Lower / Change Tire Size

Post by jyl »

Since we picked up a W124 (1994 E320), my E28 no longer needs to be the smooth comfortable roadtrip car . . .
Mdreamer
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Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Re: Would You Lower / Change Tire Size

Post by Mdreamer »

jyl wrote: Jul 25, 2022 12:39 AM I have the original 15”s as well.
Sorry to be "that guy" but, our cars never came with 15s originally.

OP, I like the look of the wheels you have on your car, but I'd like them more if your car was a bit lower. I'm currently running 235/45 17s and I get a significant amount of rub on the left rear. Unless you are encountering the same thing, I'd keep your set up as it is.
jyl
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Re: Would You Lower / Change Tire Size

Post by jyl »

I’m noticing some rub/scrape on the front fenders with bigger bumps. I do want to lower the car a little, especially the front, and I don’t really want to roll the fenders. I could tinker with camber at either end. But I’m contemplating sizing down to 225/45-17. This isn’t a track car and I don’t need max gees.
Mdreamer
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Re: Would You Lower / Change Tire Size

Post by Mdreamer »

I hear you on not needing maximum rubber underneath you. I'll eventually go back to 225/50 16s, but I think I may ultimately have rubbing issues because the offset of my 16s is higher than it is on 17s. Ahhh, the things we do for fashion!
BMWCCA2
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Re: Would You Lower / Change Tire Size

Post by BMWCCA2 »

Mdreamer wrote: Jul 27, 2022 7:19 PMI'm currently running 235/45 17s and I get a significant amount of rub on the left rear. Unless you are encountering the same thing, I'd keep your set up as it is.
Everyone knows the point of least clearance on an E28 is the left rear. Even BBS understood which is why in the day their recommendation of tire and wheel width was narrow on the E28 to the point that they had to warranty wheels which had scooped up so much debris in the bead that the wheels cracked. Wider tires would prevent this but would rub. That's why I stick with 16-inch at 20mm offset after over thirty-years of E28 ownership. And many think lowering is the cause but, unless you've changed the geometry of your rear suspension, lowering does nothing that full suspension travel wouldn't do. If it's all for looks, have at it. If you want a functional car, don't go crazy.
Blue Shadow
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Re: Would You Lower / Change Tire Size

Post by Blue Shadow »

BMWCCA2 wrote: Jul 29, 2022 8:29 AM If it's all for looks, have at it. If you want a functional car, don't go crazy.
There you have it. Looks and a lack of an ultimate driving opportunity come together.
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