Can I put 17" wheels on an '03 M5? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

gbodhi · 9th December 2005, 21:39

Probably a very basic question that deserves a very basic answer. I just bought a 2003 m5 with 18k miles on it. It currently has 18" wheels and performance tires on it (245/40/18 in the F and 275/35/18 in the R). I have a set of 4 Vredestein Wintracs (235/45/17) which I would like to put on it for the winter, but I need to buy a set of 17" wheels for the tires. I have asked 3 different people (the BMW dealership, the guy who sold it to me and a tire shop) if this is possible and no one seems to know the exact answer, so i thought that I would turn to the experts. Any help would be much appreciated.

Denver

EdP · 9th December 2005, 21:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbodhi

Probably a very basic question that deserves a very basic answer. I just bought a 2003 m5 with 18k miles on it. It currently has 18" wheels and performance tires on it (245/40/18 in the F and 275/35/18 in the R). I have a set of 4 Vredestein Wintracs (235/45/17) which I would like to put on it for the winter, but I need to buy a set of 17" wheels for the tires. I have asked 3 different people (the BMW dealership, the guy who sold it to me and a tire shop) if this is possible and no one seems to know the exact answer, so i thought that I would turn to the experts. Any help would be much appreciated.

Denver

BMW Style 66M are known to fit.

paul540/m3 · 9th December 2005, 23:06

Style 66 are one of the only ones that will fit. To find any other its trial and error to see if they hit the caliper.

Teutonaddict · 9th December 2005, 23:08

I have a set of Borbet Type-E's that I purchased from the Tire Rack. I happen to run a staggered setup (not likely what you want for winter snows) with 17x8.5 in front and 17x9.5 in back. I run 245/45-17 in front and 275/40-17 in back.

You could easily run the 235/45-17 on all four corners with those wheels. Mine fit both the stock calipers and over my newer StopTech big brakes up front.

Good luck!

-Dave

gbodhi · 9th December 2005, 23:24

Thanks Dave. I just spoke with the tire rack and they assured me that the Borbet Type Es ($129 each) would fit over the calipers. I am pretty sure that I have the stock calipers, so it sounds like I should be fine with 17x8 on all 4 corners with the 245/45/17 snows that I have?

Any thoughts on the Vredestein Wintracs? I have heard nothing but good things about them, but there are not that many opinions out there.

Thanks again for your help!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teutonaddict

I have a set of Borbet Type-E's that I purchased from the Tire Rack. I happen to run a staggered setup (not likely what you want for winter snows) with 17x8.5 in front and 17x9.5 in back. I run 245/45-17 in front and 275/40-17 in back.

You could easily run the 235/45-17 on all four corners with those wheels. Mine fit both the stock calipers and over my newer StopTech big brakes up front.

Good luck!

-Dave

El_Mono · 10th December 2005, 17:44

I have Mille Miliglias that fit fine, also got them from the tire rack. I got the Dunlop wintersports, with the NON-staggered setup for winter attire.

Beamer_usa · 10th December 2005, 20:39

I have Borbet Type C wheels with Bridgestone Blizzaks 235/40/17 all around (non-staggered) and they work great. Tirerack.com

Natdad · 11th December 2005, 00:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbodhi

Probably a very basic question that deserves a very basic answer. I just bought a 2003 m5 with 18k miles on it. It currently has 18" wheels and performance tires on it (245/40/18 in the F and 275/35/18 in the R). I have a set of 4 Vredestein Wintracs (235/45/17) which I would like to put on it for the winter, but I need to buy a set of 17" wheels for the tires. I have asked 3 different people (the BMW dealership, the guy who sold it to me and a tire shop) if this is possible and no one seems to know the exact answer, so i thought that I would turn to the experts. Any help would be much appreciated.

Denver

Here's one with 17" wheels already on it.

http://tinyurl.com/dghal

How do you think it handles in the snow? I would imagine, considering the rear wheels (tires) are on the wrong side, not so good.