E28 5-Series Test Fitment Info

Although our 17x8.5" ET20 ARC-8 was originally designed for the E30 M3, it's lower offset lends itself well to classic 5s as well. Below are some photos from a test-fitment on one of our E28s.

E28 Test-Fitment

Test Vehicle: 1984 528e with OEM Brakes & Suspension OEM Wheel: 16x7.5" ET20 (OEM M5 wheel) APEX Test Wheel: 17x8.5" ET20 ARC-8 in Hyper Black with 235/45-17 tire Applies to: All BMW E28 Models

TL;DR: 17x8.5" ET20 with 235/45-17 is our recommended fitment. 3mm or 5mm front spacers required depending on tire brand. Rear fender roll not required & may not rub with certain tire brands, but recommended to ensure no rubbing. Coilovers may require larger front spacers.

E28 Front Fitment

Front inner clearance. OEM wheels (left) vs APEX wheel with 3mm spacer (right).

3mm front spacers are required with this fitment. Without spacers, the tire was lightly brushing the strut and would not be drivable. This tire has a particularly large "rim protector," so it's possible that by using a different brand of tire there may be ample clearance without adding spacers. However, we still recommend at least 3mm spacers for peace of mind.

Outer clearance with 3mm spacer (required) installed. No rubbing occurred during our street test drive. Click images to enlarge.

E28 Rear Fitment

Rear fitment looks very promising at stock height. Inner clearance is more than sufficient, so fender clearance is what we'll focus on. No spacer was used for the rear fitment. Click images to enlarge.

With the rear suspension nearly fully-compressed, we see the potential for rubbing. For this test-fitment, there was still a piece of paper's worth of clearance between the tire and fender. No rubbing was felt or heard during a street test drive. Just like with the front, a different brand of tire may offer a few millimeters more or less sidewall. So, it is possible to run this fitment without rolled fenders, but we recommend being prepared to lightly roll the inner lip if any rubbing is experienced.

Conclusion

The 17x8.5" ET20 with 235/45-17 tires with 3mm-5mm front spacers is an excellent square fitment for the E28 chassis. Rolled rear fenders are not necessarily required, but recommended for a trouble-free fitment. Wider tires can be used with larger spacers and rolled fenders. Narrower tires can be used for an easier fit.

At stock ride height compared to OEM M5 wheel mounted on the rear

Photoshopped mild drop

Tom M.

Tom is a BMW Fitment Expert at APEX Wheels. Prior to joining the company in 2019, he worked for BMW of North America as Fleet Manager: Portland (OR) for the ReachNow car-sharing program, and as Warranty Administrator/Loaner Fleet Manager at BMW Portland. In addition, Tom has extensive training in BMW TSBs (Technical Service Bulletins) as well as in-depth knowledge of all BMW chassis and their wheel fitment options, with and without aftermarket brake and suspension upgrades. His high-performance driving experience includes autocross events in southern Oregon and track days at PIR in his 2004 E46 330i with 17x9 ET42 APEX ARC-8 wheels. Vehicles he owned prior to indulging his passion for BMWs include a 1989 Jaguar XJ6 and a 2006 S197 Ford Mustang. Fun Fact: Tom is a huge Formula 1 fan. Have questions about wheels for your BMW? Use our contact form and ask for Tom.