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[fuzzball90]

Hi all, got a quick question about buying tires & wheels.

I just bought a 128i, and it came with stock wheels and winter tires, some Michelin Xi2's. The tires are 215/45R17, not sure about the wheel size. I'm moving to a warm climate and will never see snow, so these are quite useless. Looking at getting some Michelin Super Sports, and I'm also looking at getting some different wheels. I haven't decided on which wheels to get yet, but am fairly set on the tires.

Question is, if I buy tires first and then wheels later, will that restrict the wheels I can get or is it a big issue? Do you guys recommend getting both at the same time?

Thanks!

[ShocknAwe]

Depends on if you want to get wheels that fit the car properly or not.

[fuzzball90]

Can you elaborate a little more?

If I buy tires that fit the stock wheels, and then later buy wheels to fit those tires, there's a risk the wheels won't fit the car?

[Iron Man]

Originally Posted by fuzzball90

Can you elaborate a little more?

If I buy tires that fit the stock wheels, and then later buy wheels to fit those tires, there's a risk the wheels won't fit the car?

If you go to Tirerack.com, they list the wheel widths a given tire size can fit. For example, my tires are 205/50 and 225/45 17", and Tirerack will tell me what wheel width range they fit on. You should try to keep your overall diameter close to stock as possible, so your tire selection is somewhat limited by that (~25" dia), unless you want your speedometer off or a "stretch" fit.

[Gary@TireRack]

If you stick with 215/45R17 as you have now or buy 225/45R17 that will allow you to use wheels that are 7"-8" wide which should leave the vast majority of wheels open to you.

[fuzzball90]

Awesome, thanks Iron Man & Gary