Some setups with different tires require spacers (archive)

Note that some people have required a 5mm spacer on front if they run 225/50s (Doug Gordon with Bridgestone RE71s). It's caused by the variation in actual installed width between tire manufacturers. Note that if you use the data in my E28 Wheel & Tire "Database" (in the "BMW E28 Files" folder), the calculations show almost zero clearance for Charles' combination, but this is based on the installed width of my Yokohama AVS Sports on an 8" rim; evidently the Kumho Ecsta Supras aren't quite as wide when installed on the same width (this of course has nothing to do with tread width, that doesn't change when installed).

Charles,
I am thinking about running the same wheel and tire combination (e38 wheels & 225/50/16's) all the way around. However, I have the car lowered slightly (1") with H&R springs and Bilstein HD's.
With this in mind, do you think this wheel and tire combination will work? Also, are you using a spacer on the front wheels? And if you are, does it give the front wheels a wider track than the rear wheels?
TIA for any help,
Ron in OC CA
88 535i 131k

Shawn,
I switched from 205/55/16 to 225/50/16 on the front with no problem. Tires are Kumho Supra Ecsta's on 16x8 e38 rims w/et23 offset.
keep up the good work!

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