18X8.5 ET18 doesn't fit '95 540i (E34) - BMW Forum

IronFist · 08-08-2004, 04:19 PM

I just bought a set of Speedline Corse 1908 18X8.5 ET18 and 245/40ZR18 tires for my '95 540i. However when I bought it to a local tire shop for mounting, the wheels do not seem to fit the car. According to the fitment information, everything should fit. The car has a standard offset of 20 mm and original factory suspension. They tried to mount just the wheels alone for fitment and it didn't look good. I saw that there's only 2 mm left in the between the wheel and the tower strut (I'm not sure I used the right term here, maybe it's the shock). They said
the wheel doesn't fit let alone the tires. They said I should have half an
inch of clearance between the wheels and the control arm.

I'm really confused. My car currently has the original 15" wheels but they don't seem to have much clearance between the lip of the wheel and the control arm/shock either. Anyone has any advice or ran into these issues before, please let me know.

Thank you.

Torque · 08-08-2004, 04:44 PM

With original 15 in wheels and 205/65 tires, your overall diameter (wheel+ tire) is 20.07 inches... with those 18s and the 245/40s it is 21.12 inches.

I don't know if that one inch would make much difference though.

IronFist · 08-08-2004, 04:53 PM

Torque,

Actually, the OEM size is 225/60-15. The diameter is 25.6". The diameter for the 245/40R18 is 25.7" so the difference is 0.3%. I'm wondering why the OEM wheel is so close to the tower strut.

sp0rky · 08-08-2004, 07:05 PM

There should be no fitment issue with that rim unless there is something seriously wrong with your suspension.

E28boi · 08-14-2004, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sp0rky@Aug 8 2004, 07:45 PM
There should be no fitment issue with that rim unless there is something seriously wrong with your suspension.

That's what i am thinking. If it does not rub you are okay, or you can just use spacers tp push them out a bit.