bmwe21.net forums

Dear Experts
Has anyone got any info on the largest 15 inch tyres one can expect to fit on a lowered E21?

Herman currently runs 195 50 15 on 6 1/2 inch Alpinas (front) and 205 50 15 on 7 inch Alpinas rear

But I saw one other B6 with 205 50 15 front and 225 50 15 rear for sale in Germany see (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270845342534? ... 1438.l2649

Reason for asking is that despite going back to Alpina suspension from the rock hard KW set up- it is still too low and I hit things at the front on occasions underneath, I also think it a bit undertyred at the front. The Big block is approx 1/2 inch lower than standard as well.

Come on track guys - what are you running tyrewise on your track cars (which will be as low as low can be)? I even have a spare set of Hoosier R6s in 245 50 15- which might have to go on for the Manx Classic? But I doubt they would fit!

without rolling arches i think uyou are at the limit with 205's

all round?

I had 215 45 15 on a 9 inch with a heavily rolled arch. They scrubbed at full acceleration cos my rear sprinvs are tooo soft. With harder springs they would have been ok. Oh yeah I was running 3 degrees negative camber too. Now I'm back on sensible rims with 195 tyres and two degrees negative camber and thwy are fine.

I reckon 205 rear and 195 55 at the front might be better. Watch you don't catch the front arch where it means the front bumper. Search google for " tyre size calculator " then u can weigh up options.

Also if you increase negative camber up front I reckon 205s will go. But 195 if your running stock top mounts is probably bare limit.

Or buy coilovers and adjust your ride height?

I found 195 55 on a 7J rim at the front to be the biggest you can run with no rubbing, without any arch tweaking. 205 50 always rubbed on the front, but were fine on the back.

Did you really mean 195 55 15 on a 7J not 195 50 15?

Although probably not that usefull as my car has all the adjustability to move the wheels in/out but:

I managed to run:

205/55/15 on MIM reps 7x15 ET13 up front (needed tweek of the front bumper and wing in the bumper area)


225/55/15 on MIM reps 7x15 ET13 on rear (needed arch rolling)

These where road tyres.

for the track I've run without mods to bodywork:

Same size all round:
205/60/13 on 7x13 ET6
215/50/13 on 7x13 ET6

225/45/13 on 7x13 ET6

and easily
195/50/15 on 7x15 ET13

Hope it helps

Ben

This is very helpful thank you all

BTW Ben
Like that E Type in your garden!!!

The 13's do look good Ben. I think I might even go for 13's next year for the full period look?

Yep, 195 55 15s on a 7J rim, fit perfect on the front