BMW E85 and E86 Wheels and Tyres Thread

[Mr Tidy]

Yeah, I really like the 194’s and found a picture of a coupe with them but literally everyone says no and convinced me that they were the wrong choice. So I fitted gold 261’s instead.

As much as I like the 261s I reckon the 194s would have looked just as good!

But everyone seems to be obsessed with fitting the biggest wheels possible these days.

[STC_Zed]

Yeah, I really like the 194’s and found a picture of a coupe with them but literally everyone says no and convinced me that they were the wrong choice. So I fitted gold 261’s instead.

As much as I like the 261s I reckon the 194s would have looked just as good!

But everyone seems to be obsessed with fitting the biggest wheels possible these days.

I really like them on the E9x cars but I appear to be in the minority!

I found a picture of them fitted to a back coupe in Russia and thought they looked brill but I bottles it after literally everyone said no.

[Meds]

But everyone seems to be obsessed with fitting the biggest wheels possible these days.

Yes 19" CSLs do seem to be common change.
I'm deperate to try some 17" on the coupe as a test to see if they fit over the big brakes.
If they do fit, then i'd be tempted to change to some of the forged 17" style 157.

[Fred Smith]

I am going round and round in circles thinking about wheels and tyres...

(1) Are my current rears going to pass an MOT? Heavy wear, but still OK I think, but there are a handful of big wedges of sidewall hanging off... but none through to the cord... should I glue up and paint that black stuff on the wheels and hope they sneak through? To be clear I know the tyres need changing soon, the issue is do I want to spend the money in the next two weeks, and soon in mileage terms could be next spring if I stick other wheels and tyres on over the winter and / or have the car off the road over much of the winter.

(2) MV2s (not currently on car) are about to get refurbished... should I stick with OEM silver? What are no cracks / newly pro refurbed (dipped, coated, lacquered, baked, the works) 18" MV2s worth (not that I have any intention to sell)?

(3) I pretty much decided the MV2s would get something like Continental or Michelin, cross climate or all season... but now I'm wondering whether to go for a cheaper brand and / or a summer tyre... I'm definitely going to have her off the road for a month or two at least over the winter, and I won't be driving it for pleasure in bad weather, so maybe I should stick to summer tyres on the spare wheels, not least as I may end up deciding that I prefer 18s to 19s on my E86? Actually scratch that... no harm in having two sets of wheels - if I decide I prefer 18s I can get a second set and sell the 19s.

(4) What are the best mid-range brands / mid-range all season tyres?

(5) What size tyres for 8J18 and 85J18 MV2s?

(6) Do I prepare for the MOT by buying new rears in case it fails, or by refurbing the MV2s so if it fails I can quickly get the tyres and get through the MOT On the other wheels?

[Mr Tidy]

Yes 19" CSLs do seem to be common change.
I'm deperate to try some 17" on the coupe as a test to see if they fit over the big brakes.
If they do fit, then i'd be tempted to change to some of the forged 17" style 157.

If you have the standard E86 front brakes 17s ought to fit. The standard wheels on SE Coupes were 17" Style 200s.

[Meds]

Yes 19" CSLs do seem to be common change.
I'm deperate to try some 17" on the coupe as a test to see if they fit over the big brakes.
If they do fit, then i'd be tempted to change to some of the forged 17" style 157.

If you have the standard E86 front brakes 17s ought to fit. The standard wheels on SE Coupes were 17" Style 200s.

I have silly big brakes:

[Mr Tidy]

Yes 19" CSLs do seem to be common change.
I'm deperate to try some 17" on the coupe as a test to see if they fit over the big brakes.
If they do fit, then i'd be tempted to change to some of the forged 17" style 157.

If you have the standard E86 front brakes 17s ought to fit. The standard wheels on SE Coupes were 17" Style 200s.

I have silly big brakes:

Maybe not then! But if they are standard size discs it might be possible.

If you are anywhere near me I have a spare set of 17" 158 wheels off my E90 3 Series you'd be welcome to try one for a test fit.

[Mr Tidy]

I am going round and round in circles thinking about wheels and tyres...

(1) Are my current rears going to pass an MOT? Heavy wear, but still OK I think, but there are a handful of big wedges of sidewall hanging off... but none through to the cord... should I glue up and paint that black stuff on the wheels and hope they sneak through? To be clear I know the tyres need changing soon, the issue is do I want to spend the money in the next two weeks, and soon in mileage terms could be next spring if I stick other wheels and tyres on over the winter and / or have the car off the road over much of the winter.

(2) MV2s (not currently on car) are about to get refurbished... should I stick with OEM silver? What are no cracks / newly pro refurbed (dipped, coated, lacquered, baked, the works) 18" MV2s worth (not that I have any intention to sell)?

(3) I pretty much decided the MV2s would get something like Continental or Michelin, cross climate or all season... but now I'm wondering whether to go for a cheaper brand and / or a summer tyre... I'm definitely going to have her off the road for a month or two at least over the winter, and I won't be driving it for pleasure in bad weather, so maybe I should stick to summer tyres on the spare wheels, not least as I may end up deciding that I prefer 18s to 19s on my E86? Actually scratch that... no harm in having two sets of wheels - if I decide I prefer 18s I can get a second set and sell the 19s.

(4) What are the best mid-range brands / mid-range all season tyres?

(5) What size tyres for 8J18 and 85J18 MV2s?

(6) Do I prepare for the MOT by buying new rears in case it fails, or by refurbing the MV2s so if it fails I can quickly get the tyres and get through the MOT On the other wheels?

Having seen your car I'd just put new tyres on the wheels you have as they look great, and I do like something other than MV2s and 108s! That also answers your last question!

I'm not a fan of MV2s as they were standard on E86 Sport models and were also fitted to Sport model E46 3 Series.

I'd either go with Silver or Shadow Chrome for the refurb as I'm not generally a fan of black wheels, but I doubt they'd be worth more than the refurb will cost you! If they aren't too shabby I'd maybe put winter or all-season tyres on them just in case you need to use your E86 all year.

I put a set of Kumho Ecstas on my car 3 years ago and have been very happy with them, but tyres are more about personal preference. My 3 Series has Continental summers and Hankook winters and they've both been fine.

Standard tyre sizes on MV2s are 225/40 front and 255/35 rear.

Having too many options sometimes doesn't help.

[Carlosos]

While these arnt a “cool” wheel I think they suit the car well. Staggered set 17 inch. Might go for a light ish bronze at some point. BMW style 194.

[RMB]

But everyone seems to be obsessed with fitting the biggest wheels possible these days.

Yes 19" CSLs do seem to be common change.
I'm deperate to try some 17" on the coupe as a test to see if they fit over the big brakes.
If they do fit, then i'd be tempted to change to some of the forged 17" style 157.

Where abouts are you meds?
I have 17” Oem 201 turbines you could try.
We could even arrange a swap!

[Meds]

But everyone seems to be obsessed with fitting the biggest wheels possible these days.

Yes 19" CSLs do seem to be common change.
I'm deperate to try some 17" on the coupe as a test to see if they fit over the big brakes.
If they do fit, then i'd be tempted to change to some of the forged 17" style 157.

Where abouts are you meds?
I have 17” Oem 201 turbines you could try.
We could even arrange a swap!

I'm near Bedford/Cambridge

[STC_Zed]

While these arnt a “cool” wheel I think they suit the car well. Staggered set 17 inch. Might go for a light ish bronze at some point. BMW style 194.

They’re ace. I really like them and was going to fit them to my E86 but literally everyone poo poo’d them. I wish I’d stuck to my guns.

[Carlosos]

While these arnt a “cool” wheel I think they suit the car well. Staggered set 17 inch. Might go for a light ish bronze at some point. BMW style 194.

They’re ace. I really like them and was going to fit them to my E86 but literally everyone poo poo’d them. I wish I’d stuck to my guns.

Thanks buddy. They look better in person than pics but I’m really pleased.

[RMB]

Yes 19" CSLs do seem to be common change.
I'm deperate to try some 17" on the coupe as a test to see if they fit over the big brakes.
If they do fit, then i'd be tempted to change to some of the forged 17" style 157.

Where abouts are you meds?
I have 17” Oem 201 turbines you could try.
We could even arrange a swap!

I'm near Bedford/Cambridge

Ok, I’m down in Bournemouth. If you’re heading down this way you’re welcome to try them.

[MarkE85]

Space saver advice
I’ve got a 2003 3.0 and have a long journey coming up. I’ve searched a lot and can’t seem to find a definitive answer.
What 16 inch space saver and tyre size will fit my car or do I have to use a T125/80/17 or similar ?
If a 16 inch would fit , I’d rather get one of those , as they seem to be more common.
Any help appreciated.