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[bbybimr]

My 128i has 205/50R17's all around. With the stock suspension. There's a good 1 inch gap between the fender and the tire.

I want to lower the car about an inch all around (maybe a bit more in the front) at a later time. But for now I am looking into replacing all four with a wider and lower tire to firm up the handling and corning response and get rid of the mis-matched tires I have on it now. I cant afford new 18 inch rims and the tires so I'm looking at moving up to 225/45R17's all around. Keeping in mind the future lowering.

Has anyone done a tire swap like this before?

[bbybimr]

Here's a pic of my car as it is now.

[Kgolf31]

you'll be able to run 225, but you're at the limiting capacity of the wheel width to handle that tire

[bbybimr]

That's what I was thinking too. I've also heard that some wheel spacers would help with stance and stability. Not sure about the specs for stock/lowered though...

Thanks for the info.

[kobeballer96]

Hope this helps, Heres my 2009 128i sports package on H&R sport springs on stock 262 wheels. with 225 all around. no rubbing no wheel spacers.

[bbybimr]

Actually this helps a lot actually. It's a great reference since you provided all the specs...thanks kobe.

Are those Sport Springs or Super Sport's? The car looks lower than 1.5"

What I'm trying to achieve is a perfectly symmetrical gap all the way around the tire. Just to illustrate I took the liberty of posting the image of your car with notes...(hope you don't mind my do that.)

So I'm guessing that if I get 18's and lower it less that yours is, I should see a nice even gap around the outside of the tire.

Again, thanks for the pics and info.

[bbybimr]

That is a sweet ride though. Looks nice on the track.

[ulrichd]

Not trying to be mister-know-it-all but just putting on wider tires will not "firm up the handling". Wider tires will have taller sidewalls and since you are squeezing them onto stock wheels the wider sidewalls will roll more during hard cornering, and so you have gained nothing. My 128, before lowering, started with an M3 front swaybar and firmer rear subframe bushings. I'd start there.

[kobeballer96]

Originally Posted by ulrichd

Not trying to be mister-know-it-all but just putting on wider tires will not "firm up the handling". Wider tires will have taller sidewalls and since you are squeezing them onto stock wheels the wider sidewalls will roll more during hard cornering, and so you have gained nothing. My 128, before lowering, started with an M3 front swaybar and firmer rear subframe bushings. I'd start there.

Actually 225 is the max recommend tire size for a 7 inch wheel I believe. The front is 7 and the rear is 7.5 on the 262 wheel. Go on 1010 tire, they have a wheel and tire calculator and as we'll a offset calculator. Honestly I will have to disagree with you, ditching the run flats is the first mod I did and was the best choice for the first mod. ride comfort was better, the car was more predictable, and they are lighter, and better compound them the crappy stock tires.

To the OP thanks man. Here are some tools that could help you. As for my ride height I'm on sport springs, just a tad lower then sports package. the H&R springs stance the car raked. There are other options that don't do that. I'm installing my Dinan camber plates so hopefully the rake look will not be as noticeable. I like it honestly though haha.


http://www.1010tires.com/Tools/Tire-Size-Calculator

http://www.1010tires.com/Tools/Wheel-Offset-Calculator

[kobeballer96]

Here is another track day picture from the front. Same setup.

[kobeballer96]

From what you said you when I input the stock base 128i tire spec, I think 205 it said with a 50 series sidewall, it's pretty close in sidewall height as too a 225/45/17. The link I will post states it's it's a tad shorter but still within specs. I don't think you will even notice it without busting out a measuring tape haha. That's what I am running 225/45/17.

http://www.1010tires.com/Tools/Tire-...0R17/225-45R17

[bbybimr]

Originally Posted by ulrichd

Not trying to be mister-know-it-all but just putting on wider tires will not "firm up the handling". Wider tires will have taller sidewalls and since you are squeezing them onto stock wheels the wider sidewalls will roll more during hard cornering, and so you have gained nothing. My 128, before lowering, started with an M3 front swaybar and firmer rear subframe bushings. I'd start there.

ulrichd...your absolutely right. The wider tires do not improve the handling, but the shorter sidewalls might flex a little less under hard cornering was my thought.

Nice tip on the sway bar and bushings though. I'm sure the car would be flatter in the turns and more stable without the "tail wagging" when whipping though the S curves.

If I could find a cheap M sway bar out here in LA. I wouldn't mind getting one. I'm still figuring out what fits what in the BMW world. I didn't know a M3 sway bar fits a 2009 128i..?

[kobeballer96]

Originally Posted by bbybimr

ulrichd...your absolutely right. The wider tires do not improve the handling, but the shorter sidewalls might flex a little less under hard cornering was my thought.

Nice tip on the sway bar and bushings though. I'm sure the car would be flatter in the turns and more stable without the "tail wagging" when whipping though the S curves.

If I could find a cheap M sway bar out here in LA. I wouldn't mind getting one. I'm still figuring out what fits what in the BMW world. I didn't know a M3 sway bar fits a 2009 128i..?

Sure does! Front control arms too. ECS has both OE Bmw and TRW kit (same quality) cheaper priced since bmw isn't stamped on it I think.

[VMRWheels]

225/45/17 can work with those wheels, although they're the widest recommended tire option that will fit on them.

[bbybimr]

Originally Posted by kobeballer96

From what you said you when I input the stock base 128i tire spec, I think 205 it said with a 50 series sidewall, it's pretty close in sidewall height as too a 225/45/17. The link I will post states it's it's a tad shorter but still within specs. I don't think you will even notice it without busting out a measuring tape haha. That's what I am running 225/45/17.

http://www.1010tires.com/Tools/Tire-...0R17/225-45R17

Yep. Checked out the link and studied the chart. Man we're talking minuscule difference in measurements.

[bbybimr]

OK, the tire sizes aside, I'm also looking into a rim size change. I have a 128i base model. Current rim I'm running is 256 5 spoke 17x7.5
I want to go up an inch or two but I'm not sure what rim sizes my car can handle.

Anyone have a size chart with both stock suspension and lowered an inch to an inch and a half. (H&R touring cup or sport cup)?

[ulrichd]

Originally Posted by bbybimr

OK, the tire sizes aside, I'm also looking into a rim size change. I have a 128i base model. Current rim I'm running is 256 5 spoke 17x7.5
I want to go up an inch or two but I'm not sure what rim sizes my car can handle.

Anyone have a size chart with both stock suspension and lowered an inch to an inch and a half. (H&R touring cup or sport cup)?

You said you couldn't afford to go 18" but there are always really good deals on complete sets of used 18" BMW 264 wheels in the wheel and tire forum.
I switched to used 264s,no runflats, lowered on Eibach/Koni FSD with 135 front bumper and euro fog lights.

[bbybimr]

Originally Posted by ulrichd

You said you couldn't afford to go 18" but there are always really good deals on complete sets of used 18" BMW 264 wheels in the wheel and tire forum.
I switched to used 264s,no runflats, lowered on Eibach/Koni FSD with 135 front bumper and euro fog lights.

Yeah I couldn't afford them because of the other mods I already had in mind but cant do them due to warranty issues so I'm looking for other ideas and the rims on it now are a wee bit small... So I figured it wouldn't hurt to do some research.

[bbybimr]

Originally Posted by ulrichd

You said you couldn't afford to go 18" but there are always really good deals on complete sets of used 18" BMW 264 wheels in the wheel and tire forum.
I switched to used 264s,no runflats, lowered on Eibach/Koni FSD with 135 front bumper and euro fog lights.

btw, how do you like the Eibach/Koni setup?