Different wheels on i3?

[747lexus]

Would any aftermarket wheels fit an i3? Wider etc

 

[robertmccall]

Hit up inD and ask for their specs on their grey i3

 

[JohnWasser]

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/shop/2017-bmw-i3-wheels~65790-2017-31-23975-1-4-17-601-7644

They say that there are 102 sizes and styles of wheel that will fit the i3. Sizes range from 17 to 22" diameter and 7 to 10.5" width. Since the stock wheels are 5 or 5.5" wide, ALL of these are wider.

 

[eNate]

They say that there are 102 sizes and styles of wheel that will fit the i3. Sizes range from 17 to 22" diameter and 7 to 10.5" width. Since the stock wheels are 5 or 5.5" wide, ALL of these are wider.

Also keep in mind the wheel offset. For instance, the [non-S] front wheel (5.0) has a 43mm offset that provides 1/2" of clearance from the strut.

If a replacement wheel width increases one inch to 6.0, the inside rim "grows" half of that difference (1/2") and fills the gap.

So to maintain the existing gap, the offset of the replacement wheel would have to decrease by a similar amount (by 1/2" or 12mm).

The [non-S] rear 5.5" wheel has a 53mm offset.

 

[ksnax]

There are numerous custom forged options available that will fit with sizing from 5'5" wide on up, but none of them are cheap. BC Racing seems to have the best deal going on their wheels at about $700 a pop. You can find less expensive options in a 19"x7.5" wheel with appropriate spacers however, but you will absolutely need fender flares to fit them inside the bodywork. And without using significant additional back spacing, there are likely no 18" wheels that will fit over the upper suspension points on the rear hub.

https://www.coiloverwarehouse.com/p...kPhjb-ZK62gE4TjKbcXabJ5AzjRrGixxoCUdIQAvD_BwE

 

[skeptic]

I'm not in a position to experiment, and I don't really want to be the guinea pig, but as often as this topic comes up you'd think by now we'd have some solid guides. If an 18" wheel will clear brakes/suspension, then something like 215/55R18 on an 18"x7" wheel with the right offset seems like a great option. Less range of course, but plenty of options and I have to believe you can find tires in that size that offer better handling and ride comfort.

As for fender flares. Let me start by saying I'm not a lawyer nor do I know the laws of every state. I am a long time offroader who has had many lifted vehicles with oversized tires, and been given tickets, had to get a jeep "approved" by Utah state police, etc. In my experience you do not necessarily need fender flares. What you need is EITHER fender flares or mud flaps. They must extend to the width of the tire and technically cover from midpoint of the tire up. However, in my experience you can be "close enough" and even angle the mud flaps just a bit so the bottom corner just barely covers the tread. Obviously a nice set of fender flares is the best option, but a set of cheap appropriately sized universal mud flaps should be enough to keep you legal.

 

[LowGear]

Did you come up with a alternative wheel / tire size?

 

[JBimmer]

see next entry

 

[JBimmer]

Just put wider rims and tires on my 2019 i3s Rex. 18x7.5 rims. Tires are 215's up front and 235's for the rear. Slight modification of the rear suspension was needed - just shaving off unneeded ridges. So far so good. Vast improvement all around.

 

[3rigel]

I'm interested in changing for something more mainstream. Do you have any picture?

 

[Dutchi3]

Just put wider rims and tires on my 2019 i3s Rex. 18x7.5 rims. Tires are 215's up front and 235's for the rear. Slight modification of the rear suspension was needed - just shaving off unneeded ridges. So far so good. Vast improvement all around.

Interesting. Did you also lower the suspension? How much of a range hit did you get with the wider less aerodynamic wheels?

 

[Jnoyes]

Please provide more detail. What brand and source for the wheels? What was the wheel offset? Same for all 4? What tires did you go with? If you went with 215s all around, would the setup have fit with no suspension mods at all? Thanks!

 

[kd7iwp]

Just put wider rims and tires on my 2019 i3s Rex. 18x7.5 rims. Tires are 215's up front and 235's for the rear. Slight modification of the rear suspension was needed - just shaving off unneeded ridges. So far so good. Vast improvement all around.

Would you be able to post a few photos? Those rear wheels are wider than the stock wheels on my E46 so that should be pretty wide on an i3s and I'm curious to see what it's like.

 

[JBimmer]

Wow! I've found it difficult to find current discussions about after market wheel setup. I didn't expect to get these questions immediately. I will definitely post all my data and pics, although it will take me a few days. Kids and life you know. First off, I do feel I have to mention a few things.

First, what I post is my experience only and what I feel comfortable with for my vehicle. I assume no responsibility for anyone else. You should do your own research and take full responsibility for what you try.

Second, I need to credit the source and start of my quest. There are a lot of good pics showing differences between original and aftermarket which are very similar to what I ended up with. But yes, I will post my own data and pics here when I can.

Alright, here are links to where I started my research:
His test setup (225's all around)

His final setup (215's in front and 235's in rear)

=========================
AND NOW FOR MY SETUP:
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Wheels
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https://www.ecstuning.com/b-nm-engi...2-wheel-satin-black-set-of-four/nm.881203bkt/
Same center bore as the original rims. More offset so will require spacers.
They actually came with "RS" for the center cap instead of "MINI"
-----
Tires
-----
https://www.yokohamatire.com/tires/avid-ascend-gt
215/55R18 for front
235/50R18 for rear
-------------------
Hub Centric Spacers
-------------------
https://venumwheel.com/products/5x1...2009-audi-spacers-only?variant=39579480916046
25mm for front
20mm for rear
-----------------
Stud Conversion -- (totally forgot about this)
-----------------
Also did a stud conversion so I could experiment with different spacers and not have to buy new lug bolts all the time.
https://apexwheels.com/accessories/...lug-wheels&length=90mm&thread-pitch=m14x125mm
They say the 90mm studs can use up to 20mm spacers. I found that I could fit 30mm spacers on with enough thread left(I eventually went to 25mm to pull wheels in). Using hub-centric spacers I feel safe with them.

 

[JBimmer]

No more skinny front tires!

 

[JBimmer]

Front and rear protrusion.

 

[JBimmer]

Interesting. Did you also lower the suspension? How much of a range hit did you get with the wider less aerodynamic wheels?

Suspension is standard i3s. No change. I just got my new wheels on a week ago and the weather just went cold so it's really hard for me to say how much efficiency was lost. My guess is not much loss. Any loss is well worth it to me with all the gains I now have.

 

[JBimmer]

Please provide more detail. What brand and source for the wheels? What was the wheel offset? Same for all 4? What tires did you go with? If you went with 215s all around, would the setup have fit with no suspension mods at all? Thanks!

Wheels are listed in other post. Offset is 40mm. I put 18x7.5 rims on all around. 215s in the rear would not help. The suspension conflict happens just inside the rim. I suppose if I pushed the rims out more there would be less conflict with the suspension but it would have to go too far out and wouldn't look right or work with the fenders.

 

[JBimmer]

Differences I've noticed with the new wheels and tires
------------------------------------------------------
Pros
----
Quieter bumps / less cabin noise
Softer ride overall
Rear jitter gone
softer front/back rocking
car is planted much better
Longer lasting !!!
Looks better !!!
Works in winter !!!
Tires cost less !!!
More tire options !!!
Safe in rain for years !!!
Good in snow ? -about to find out


Neutrals
--------
slightly heavier steering


Cons
----
slight interstate waving from gusts
slightly more tread noise
front tires stick out a bit
some loss of efficiency

 

[LowGear]

Nice report, Thanks

Is it too much of a stretch to assume most BMW Mini wheels will work?