M5 wheels on 540? Reason why you cant?

[Lscman]

The M5 was slightly modified to maximize tire clearance. The fender lips on the M5 were further relieved by bending them upward with a rolling tool. A fender roller was, in fact, used on ALL 5 series cars at the factory, but the process was more aggressive on M5. This gives you about 3/16" more clearance at that spot compared to other 5 series cars. In addition, the inner fenders were re-engineered to maximize clearance. The problem with the inner fender mods is the "main interference points" found on the std 5 series were already optimized. The spots where they "improved clearance" had limited effect.

Keep in mind that rear suspension pod & fender alignment varies from car-to-car. This means there are surely 540i cars that will swallow a larger tire & wheel combo without rubbing than some M5's. The 9" wheels that came on certain 540i cars are not much smaller than the 9-1/2" M5 wheels and some 255 tires are almost as fat as other 275's. You will discover that some 5 series cars will swallow an M5 rear tire/wheel combo with zero rub while some M5's rub with OEM tires and wheels, even at similar ride height. Suspension alignment settings have a huge impact. Additional neg camber generally reduces rub.

[SoCalJD]

That is one badass wagon brother.

[pamato]

lscman, Thanks for clearing things up. Currently I am running 255/17/40s on all corners. I have contemplated getting 18s in the future, but am still sorting out my suspension. I just starting attending track events and would like to have a better handling car. But, I do like the looks of 18s on my 540.

[kevm5]

Aaron,

Here are a few pictures for your refence. They are BMW OEM wheels. I didn't have any problerm with the front or rear liners.

I didn't mount a spacing for the front wheel either.Bc, the wheels have the correct offset for the e39 . You shouldn't have any problem running with any e39 m5 wheels for the 540i.

I hope this help.

Originally Posted by aaronmiles

Hi all,

Is there a reason why you cannot use the OEM E39 M5 wheels on another E39 like the 540i?

I seem to remember there was a reason but cannot find it?

Cheers,
Aaron

[aaronmiles]

Thanks for the info kev... touring might be a touch different.. its a for a friend of mine who wants to get a set for his 540

[Marc540i]

Hi aaronmiles,

I drive a E39 540i from 1998, in the summertime i have 18" AC Schnitzer rims on my bimmer ( front 235-40-zr18 rear 265-35-zr18 ).

And in the wintertime i have OEM E39 M5 18" on my bimmer ( front 245-40-zr18 rear 275-35-zr18 ).

And that is no problem on my car. I hope you understand my Englisch because it is not so very good, I am from The Netherlands.

I post 2 pics from my car. The first is with AC Schnitzers, the second with OEM E39 M5 rims.