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[MTPckts]

I'm looking at buying a set of TSW/Petrol Wheels: Fronts 18 x 8 ET 35 & Backs 18 x 9.5 ET 45. Newbie owner here, so I thought I'd defer final decision til I talked w/you all...will these work on my 2009 128i convertible without having to change up anything w/the suspension or do any fender work?? She's stock right now, & I might have $$ later for mods, but def not right now.... And what tire sizes would you recommend I run on those? It's a DD (in the WARMER months!) & I'm not looking to take her to the track or get too crazy!

[Eyeman]

Those dimensions will make those wheels poke out aggressively. With weight in the car or with tires that fully fit the wheels, you probably will rub over bumps at speed.

It's hard to find wheels for our cars. So if you like these and don't want to rub much you'll just need to use tires that run small and rounded. I'd get Toyo T1R or Nitto Nt555 225/40/18 fr and 255/35/18r. Most other brands of tires I'd get the next smallest width.

[MTPckts]

Hey, EyeMan, thanks for your time & input. I'm not against an aggressive look, but don't wanna get something put on that's going to adversely affect my handling, ride,etc....all my research from this forum & wheel/tire suppliers has pointed towards 215 or 225/40's, so what you're telling me is dead on if I decide to go w/these wheels....hmmmmmmmmmm. Decisions, decisions.

[John_01]

The rears can fit a 245/35/18 tire. In some cases a 255/35/18 will fit, but sometimes the ET45 offset isn't enough on the rear for a 255 without rubbing - It depends on the brand of tire. The 245 tire is perfectly ok, but the only issue is it will look a bit stretched on a 9.5" rim and you have to be super careful when parallel parking.

For the front, I suggest its better to get a wheel with around ET40 to ET45 offset, so you can fit at least a 225/40/18 tire. The stock front wheels are ET49 which leaves a lot of space. The ET35 front wheel will stick out a bit, and probably limit you to using a 215/40/18 tire.

Since you are only interested in street driving you can look at premium road tires like Goodyear Eagle F1 assymetric 2, and Michelin Pilot super sport. There are some cheaper options too.

[MTPckts]

I have been all over this forum in the last wk, searching for others running the same or similar specs on their wheels to see what kind of info. I could gather from those of you w/mucho more experience than I, & I actually found a post from a guy in PA running TSW's w/exact same ratios--I thought the car looked good, looked flush! BUT--he was running "mostly stock M suspension" & was lowered 1 inch. My ride is stock 128i suspension. I'm not against running the 215/40/18 tire, if it's not dumblookinstretched...anyone have input, or even pics that could tell/show me how much these wheels might poke out in the front??

[John_01]

That car is running Falken 452 in 225/40/18 which appears to fit on ET35 front rims. The Falken is a narrow tire, so its not too much of a worry to go up a size if you stick with those particular tires. Its flush on the front but not really extreme.

[MTPckts]

So the M vs stock suspension doesn't make any difference as far as the offset, etc.? I could definitely live w/the wheels I'm considering if the set-up looks like this--THANKS for the info!

[John_01]

The only difference with stock suspension is the car sits about 1/2" higher, so it will give more space.

[MTPckts]

I'm learnin'!! TY.