17x9 et 20

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Ryan...

17x9 et 20

Post by Ryan... »

Hello everyone, first post here! I'm a member of BFC, Bimmerfest, and a couple other small local BMW forums.

Picking up a 1985 635CSI on Tuesday, and I'm starting to compile a list of parts I want for it :)


My question is, if I plan on running a set of square 17x9 et20 wheels, what size tires could I get away with (I'm fine using adapters or spacers if necessary)? For me, the wider the better (would love to have at least a 245 width tire) The car will be lowered either on H&R springs/bilstiens, or I may choose to go with some coilovers like BC or GAZ.


Thank you for the help! I tried searching, so if I missed it I'll blame the medications i'm on after having 4 impacted wisdom teeth removed yesterday :D
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JCS
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Re: 17x9 et 20

Post by JCS »

Ryan,

Welcome, the 9 x 17 et 20 is a very sought after wheel.
Especially for the staggered folks out there, hard to find, let alone 4.


Best,
Jay
'88 M6, Red/Tan
My NEW Website https://www.jaysbmwparts.com/
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tschultz
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Re: 17x9 et 20

Post by tschultz »

Fronts in that size may need spacers to not rub on the strut.
http://www.Drive4Corners.com
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'79 635CSi Revival
'80 635CSi
'83 633CSi Callaway Turbo continued as 1988 535is Turbo
SOLD: '81 635CSi/A
Ryan...

Re: 17x9 et 20

Post by Ryan... »

JCS wrote:Ryan,

Welcome, the 9 x 17 et 20 is a very sought after wheel.
Especially for the staggered folks out there, hard to find, let alone 4.


Best,
Thank you for the response! The wheels I'm looking at are aftermarket ESM wheels. They're not the greatest, but I've owned the brand before without issue :)

Do you know where I could find information on tire size and required spacers? I would hate to buy my setup and find out it won't work when I'm ready to install..
Ryan...

Re: 17x9 et 20

Post by Ryan... »

tschultz wrote:Fronts in that size may need spacers to not rub on the strut.
Thank you for the response! Do you think I'd be out of luck if I wished to run a 235/245 width tire up front, even with spacers?


I'm no against rolling fenders slightly to make it work either, if that would gain me a MM or two of extra room :)
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hornhospital
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Re: 17x9 et 20

Post by hornhospital »

Hi Ryan! Welcome to my other hangout!(beside the E36 forum on Bimmerfest).

You should have no trouble running a 245.
Ken Kanne
'84 633CSi "Sylvia"; '85 635CSi "Katja";'85 325e "Hazel Ann"; '95 M3 "Ashlyn"
Ryan...

Re: 17x9 et 20

Post by Ryan... »

hornhospital wrote:Hi Ryan! Welcome to my other hangout!(beside the E36 forum on Bimmerfest).

You should have no trouble running a 245.
Figured you might be on here!!
I haven't logged onto bimmerfest in a while, I'll make an appearance soon :)

Do you think a square set up with 245s would work up front too?
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hornhospital
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Re: 17x9 et 20

Post by hornhospital »

You'll probably have to use 10mm spacers. I have 235-40-18s with 8.5" et20 wheels on the front of my 635, and they are really close to the strut (but they don't rub).
Ken Kanne
'84 633CSi "Sylvia"; '85 635CSi "Katja";'85 325e "Hazel Ann"; '95 M3 "Ashlyn"
Ryan...

Re: 17x9 et 20

Post by Ryan... »

hornhospital wrote:You'll probably have to use 10mm spacers. I have 235-40-18s with 8.5" et20 wheels on the front of my 635, and they are really close to the strut (but they don't rub).
Alrighty, I pulled up a tire size calculator and this is what I got :

OEM:
205-70-14 = 25.30" tall and 8.07" wide

245-40-17 = 24.72" tall & 9.65" wide
245-45-17 = 25.68" tall & 9.65" wide
235-45-17 = 25.33" tall & 9.25" wide
255-45-17 = 26.4" tall & 10.04" wide

Looks like the 235 would be my best option to remain close to oem height actually, although I would really prefer 245 or even 255.
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Re: 17x9 et 20

Post by GazM3 »

Hey Ryan.
I run a set of 17x9 et27 and need a 15mm spacer to make them miss the front strut. So u would prob need at least an 8mm spacer. It's an awkward size as u can't use a hubcentric. U can prob use one of those turner Motorsport extended caps which will work fine at locating the wheel nice with a non hubcentric spacer. I probably can't go much bigger than 225/45 in front with that spacer. Perhaps if u went to a hubcentric 12mm spacer u could run the 235/45 but u will be close to the guards.

U can bolt the rear on direct but u will have a massive unsexy gap to the rear guard. U could go anywhere from 15-30mm on the rear with a spacer depending on how much -ve camber u have and how big a tyre u want. 255/40 will give a nice setup but it may not be a bad idea to match the fronts 235/45 then U have balanced handling
BMW’s
84 E24 M635csi
90 E34 M5 3.6
94 E34 540i/6 SC E85
97 E36 M3 euro SC U/C
97 Z3 2.8 widebody

OTHERS
11 Audi S5 3.0 SC
19 VW Amarok V6
Ryan...

Re: 17x9 et 20

Post by Ryan... »

GazM3 wrote:Hey Ryan.
I run a set of 17x9 et27 and need a 15mm spacer to make them miss the front strut. So u would prob need at least an 8mm spacer. It's an awkward size as u can't use a hubcentric. U can prob use one of those turner Motorsport extended caps which will work fine at locating the wheel nice with a non hubcentric spacer. I probably can't go much bigger than 225/45 in front with that spacer. Perhaps if u went to a hubcentric 12mm spacer u could run the 235/45 but u will be close to the guards.

U can bolt the rear on direct but u will have a massive unsexy gap to the rear guard. U could go anywhere from 15-30mm on the rear with a spacer depending on how much -ve camber u have and how big a tyre u want. 255/40 will give a nice setup but it may not be a bad idea to match the fronts 235/45 then U have balanced handling
Thanks for the response, I'll definitely look into the extended caps!

Do you have any pics of your car that could post? I'm curious to see what your setup looks like :)
GazM3
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Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2011 12:55 pm
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: 17x9 et 20

Post by GazM3 »

ok

Image

for reference
17x9 ET12 225/45/17
17x10 ET2 255/40/17
BMW’s
84 E24 M635csi
90 E34 M5 3.6
94 E34 540i/6 SC E85
97 E36 M3 euro SC U/C
97 Z3 2.8 widebody

OTHERS
11 Audi S5 3.0 SC
19 VW Amarok V6
Ryan...

Re: 17x9 et 20

Post by Ryan... »

Looks great!!

What are you using for suspension? Looks pretty much exactly the height I'd like mine to be at :)
GazM3
Posts: 1791
Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2011 12:55 pm
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: 17x9 et 20

Post by GazM3 »

Just some humble h& r lowered spings. I'm still riding on some pretty old bilstien HD shocks. Will see if I can do some koni yellows at some stage
BMW’s
84 E24 M635csi
90 E34 M5 3.6
94 E34 540i/6 SC E85
97 E36 M3 euro SC U/C
97 Z3 2.8 widebody

OTHERS
11 Audi S5 3.0 SC
19 VW Amarok V6
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