Tires for a 2009 128i

[Bmwva128i]

Hey guys I’m looking at getting new tires for my 128 with my tax refund. And curious what set up I should or can do. I have the stocks on now which are 205/50 R17 and 225/45 R17 in the back. I want Michelin’ but curious what size. I kinda want an 18 inch tires I was looking at 225/245 or 235/255. Thoughts.

[JimD]

I used to have pilot supersports on my 128i. I had them put 225/45 R17 on the stock front and back rims. I went with a square setup. I think the stock rims are half an inch narrower than the back but Tire Rack's website said you could do it and my tire place did, with a few comments. I thought they worked great. But they did not last very long. And this is a summer tire. I think they now have a similar all season. It had much better performance on wet roads than the "tigerpaw" tires I currently have.

For all season, I thought Contintental had some interesting extreme performance tires that looked interesting and were not terribly expensive.

[Thunderguts]

If you want 255s for looks, go for it, but you don't need that much tire for a 128i. I run a square setup with 225/45/17s all around and I love the neutral handling.

[rowsdower]

I'm copying/pasting my response from your other thread in the tires section. You should probably delete the other thread and keep this one.


What do you use the car for? Street use exclusively or will it see the track? Do you drive the car in the winter/will it see snow and do you plan to have a set of dedicated summers and winters?

Obviously 18" tires would require 18" wheels which is a broader discussion and gives you tons of options depending on the wheel size you choose. 18s are generally heavier, ride harsher, and are more likely to be damaged by curb rash or potholes. If you don't care about looks/bling, a smaller wheel is better. Stock 128i brakes fit under a lot of 16" wheels and most 17" wheels.

A staggered setup (bigger tires in rear vs front) is common with 135i cars because they have a lot more power. The sport package 128i had staggered 205/225s but the base model had 205 square. For a 128i regardless of which package you have, my opinion is that a square setup is best. These cars just don't have enough power to warrant a bigger rear tire. A square setup handles a lot better and lets you rotate tires front to rear (dependent on the wheels being the same offset - again a consideration if you are doing wheels too).

Most people on this forum, me included, would suggest to ditch the garbage run-flats. It is up to you whether you are comfortable with the idea of possibly being stranded somewhere with no spare.

If you want a summer tire, I've loved my Bridgestone Pole Position S04s. A really good street tire and decent on track. Others will surely chime in with their preferences shortly. Check TireRack and make your decision based on your specific needs/preferences, reviews on TR, and whether a manufacturer is offering a discount right now.

[kaputt]

Along these lines, will the rear 7.5” style 207 wheels fit on the front with no issue?

I’d like to keep the stock 128i M Sport look, but go to a square set up with performance tires.

[Dogeeseegod]

I run square 225/50/17 continental conti sport and they are awesome. Great value for what you pay for them.

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by kaputt

Along these lines, will the rear 7.5” style 207 wheels fit on the front with no issue?

I’d like to keep the stock 128i M Sport look, but go to a square set up with performance tires.

Yes.

[JimD]

I agree that the stock 17 inch rear wheels fit on the front fine. I've done it. That is one of the things that my tire place said not to do but I don't think they looked at anything before they said it. The offsets are the same and the wheels work fine on the front.

When I put the fronts on the back I may have a lightly smaller footprint on the road despite the fact that the tires are the same just because the wheels are narrower. But any difference of that sort makes no different to me in normal driving.

I think same width wheels front and back would be preferable but I've had no trouble rotating front to back (and back to front).

[rowsdower]

Originally Posted by JimD

I agree that the stock 17 inch rear wheels fit on the front fine. I've done it. That is one of the things that my tire place said not to do but I don't think they looked at anything before they said it. The offsets are the same and the wheels work fine on the front.

When I put the fronts on the back I may have a lightly smaller footprint on the road despite the fact that the tires are the same just because the wheels are narrower. But any difference of that sort makes no different to me in normal driving.

I think same width wheels front and back would be preferable but I've had no trouble rotating front to back (and back to front).

Are you sure you have staggered wheels? I put my rears on my fronts to test fitment since I bought a second set of staggered stock 262s, and the rear wheel mounted up front fills out the fender noticeably more than stock. Not enough to rub but it's obvious when looking at the car. The rear is 1/2" wider but the offset may not actually be the same (I don't really know). I believe they are the same wheels front and back if you don't have the sport package.

Regardless, I would not put on tires that were wider on the front vs the rear. Moving from stock staggered wheels to square wheels has a noticeably effect on handling (from understeer to neutral). Going even further will make the car oversteer significantly.

[kaputt]

Originally Posted by rowsdower

Are you sure you have staggered wheels? I put my rears on my fronts to test fitment since I bought a second set of staggered stock 262s, and the rear wheel mounted up front fills out the fender noticeably more than stock. Not enough to rub but it's obvious when looking at the car. The rear is 1/2" wider but the offset may not actually be the same (I don't really know). I believe they are the same wheels front and back if you don't have the sport package.

Regardless, I would not put on tires that were wider on the front vs the rear. Moving from stock staggered wheels to square wheels has a noticeably effect on handling (from understeer to neutral). Going even further will make the car oversteer significantly.

Should be the same offset for the 7" and 7.5". 47mm I think. The more fill you're seeing I think is just the extra 1/2 inch plus a wider tire up there (assuming it was 225/45/17).

[rowsdower]

Originally Posted by kaputt

Should be the same offset for the 7" and 7.5". 47mm I think. The more fill you're seeing I think is just the extra 1/2 inch plus a wider tire up there (assuming it was 225/45/17).

Yes, 225's and the extra half inch. Thanks for confirming the offset!

[JimD]

I think the wheel well looking more full is a good thing . I like my square setup and do not plan to change it when the current tires wear out.

[rowsdower]

Originally Posted by JimD

I think the wheel well looking more full is a good thing . I like my square setup and do not plan to change it when the current tires wear out.

Ah, I misunderstood - I didn't realize you had square tires on the staggered wheels. That makes a lot more sense. I thought you were saying you had 205's out back with 225's up front. My mistake.

[Tuxedo]

Originally Posted by kaputt

Should be the same offset for the 7" and 7.5". 47mm I think. The more fill you're seeing I think is just the extra 1/2 inch plus a wider tire up there (assuming it was 225/45/17).

My summer set is MPSS 225/45r17 on 17x7.5 et40 square
Winter is Michelin xi3 zp on oem style 262 front 17x7 rear 17x7.5 et47 225/45 all around. Been on since 1st week of December with no issues

[JimD]

I just use all season, year around. There is very little frozen precipitation in SC but I did the same thing in PA where I lived for 15 years. It is a bit of a controversial topic and I will agree up front that summer for summer and winter for winter will give you better tires during both seasons. But all season work fine.

I like you car, Tuxedo. I also drive a 2009 e88 but I bought the sport package, not the M-sport. There is another thread where they are trying to figure out if both were offered. Your's is M-Sport, right?

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by JimD

Your's is M-Sport, right?

No M-Sport bumpers.

[Tuxedo]

Originally Posted by JimD

I like you car, Tuxedo. I also drive a 2009 e88 but I bought the sport package, not the M-sport. There is another thread where they are trying to figure out if both were offered. Your's is M-Sport, right?

This is my second 1r and went looking for this one, so thanks for the compliment It came with ZSP Sport package and that includes 17” wheels, sport seats, 704-M Sport suspension, shadow line trim and increased speed limiter.

It doesn’t have the M Sport package. From memory it would change the steering wheel, shifter, brakes with M logos and upgrades in cosmetics.

It was originally bought in the Philadelphia area Thompson BMW, then Indy cpo

[JimD]

Tuxedo,

That is the package I have. I ordered mine and the only options are ZSP and the walnut interior trim. I am very happy with it.

Jim

[varoadking]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but Continental EXTREME CONTACT DWS 06 - SIZE: 245/50ZR17 would be OK for a 128i base model square setup? I have 12mm spacers front and rear.

Or would 225's be a better choice?

TIA

[chris_flies]

Originally Posted by varoadking

Sorry to hijack the thread, but Continental EXTREME CONTACT DWS 06 - SIZE: 245/50ZR17 would be OK for a 128i base model square setup? I have 12mm spacers front and rear.

Or would 225's be a better choice?

TIA

If your wheels are 7.5-inches wide, then you CAN fit 245's, but they'll look like donuts. I like the donut look because it's actually functional, but some don't. I run 245's on my 17x7.5 summer wheels, and 225's on my 17x7 winter wheels.

Also, with your extra spacing, you'll want to run a narrower tire anyway to keep it from rubbing.

[varoadking]

Originally Posted by chris_flies

If your wheels are 7.5-inches wide, then you CAN fit 245's, but they'll look like donuts. I like the donut look because it's actually functional, but some don't. I run 245's on my 17x7.5 summer wheels, and 225's on my 17x7 winter wheels.

Also, with your extra spacing, you'll want to run a narrower tire anyway to keep it from rubbing.

Thanks...I have 7" wheels, so it sounds like 225's...