BMW E90 E91 LCI 3 Series Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide

Are you looking for the perfect wheel fitment for your 2009-2011 BMW E90, E913 series? Our E9X fitment guide has the optimized wheel fitments and the widest possible tires available for the unique fitment requirements that these cars require. From appearance-oriented concave fitments focused on stance to road course and drag fitments that target meaty tire options, our 3 series wheels have been community favorites for good reason. Our Forged wheels have become popular options focused on ultimate performance and include our VS-5RS, EC-7RS, SM-10RS designs. Our Flow Formed wheels have been a mainstay of the E9x community for years and are popular for their high quality in combination with their affordable price point. These include our ARC-8s, EC-7, and SM-10s.  These wheel fitments are compatible with all models of E90, E91, E92, and E93 including 316i, 316d, 318i, 318d, 320i, 320si, 320d, 323i, 325i, 325d, 328i, 330i, 330d, 335i, 335d along with xi and touring variants. If you’re looking for wheels for your E90, E92 or E93 M3, head over to our BMW E90 E92 E93 M3 Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide.

LCI sedans and wagons (2009 and up) have different fitment requirements for the rear wheels. Rear fender clearance is reduced by 8mm due to a wider rear track width. The fitments recommended in this guide are specific to LCI sedans and wagons.

If you have an E92, E93, or pre-LCI Sedan or wagon, please use our separate fitment guide built for your model.

Chassis Introduction The E9x generation of 3-Series is loved for its out-of-the-box capabilities, as well as endless aftermarket support. We produce a wide range of fitments for the E9x platform ranging from OEM+ replacement sizes to aggressive track/race fitments.

These bolt-on wheel fitments are ideal for enthusiasts enjoying their car day-to-day on the street, and they are typically paired with all-season or performance-oriented summer tires. These wheel and tire configurations will improve the appearance and performance of the car without requiring modifications or adjustments to the factory alignment. Just bolt-on and enjoy!

While these wheel fitments can be used for track days and AutoX, performance will be left on the table. Drivers that prioritize performance should review our Performance Street & Track and/or Hardcore Track & Race sections below.

Tire options noted as OE Fitments represent tire sizes that could be equipped on the vehicle from the factory.

Square Configurations

Recommended for enthusiasts that want to mitigate understeer and rotate tires front & rear for extended life. Square configurations may compromise rear-end grip when compared to staggered configurations. We generally recommend square fitments for xDrive/AWD models.

Wheels

• Front & Rear: 17x8.5" ET40
• Available in: ARC-8

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick: Front & Rear: 235/45-17
• 5mm front spacers may be required with tires that run wide or cars with Coilovers / HAS kits.
• X-Drive Compatible
• OE fitment: Front & Rear: 225/45-17
• Direct Fit
• X-Drive Compatible

Wheels

• Front & Rear: 18x8.5" ET35, ET38 (ARC-8), ET40 (VS-5RS)
• Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, SM-10, VS-5RS
• Popular Fitment

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick: Front & Rear: 235/40-18
• 5mm front spacers may be required with VS-5RS or ARC-8 on cars with Coilovers or HAS kits.
• X-Drive Compatible
• OE fitment: Front & Rear: 225/40-18
• Direct Fit
• X-Drive Compatible

Wheels

• Front & Rear: 19x8.5" ET35
• Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, SM-10

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick: Front & Rear: 235/35-19
• 5mm front spacers may be required with tires that run wide or cars with Coilovers / HAS kits.
• X-Drive Compatible
• OE fitment: Front & Rear: 225/35-19
• Direct Fit
• X-Drive Compatible

Staggered Configurations

Recommended for enthusiasts that prioritize rear-end grip/traction. Wheels and tires cannot be rotated front to rear and large staggers may induce understeer. We generally recommend staggered fitments for RWD models.

Wheels

• Front: 17x8.5 ET40 // Rear: 17x9 ET30
• Available in: ARC-8

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick:  Front 235/45-17 // Rear 255/40-17
• 5mm front spacers may be required with tires that run wide or cars with with Coilovers or HAS kits.
• Not X-Drive Compatible
• OE Fitment: Front 225/45-17 // Rear 255/40-17
• Direct fit
• X-Drive Compatible

Wheels

• Front: 18x8.5 ET35, ET38 (ARC-8), ET40 (VS-5RS) // Rear: 18x9 ET30
• Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, SM-10, VS-5RS

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick: Front 235/40-18 // Rear 255/35-18
• 5mm front spacers may be required with VS-5RS or ARC-8 on cars with Coilovers or HAS kits.
• Not X-Drive Compatible
• OE Fitment:  Front 225/40-18 // Rear 255/35-18
• Direct fit
• X-Drive Compatible

Wheels

• Front: 19x8.5 ET35 // Rear: 19x9 ET28 (ARC-8), ET30
• Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, SM-10

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick: Front 235/35-19 // Rear 255/30-19
• 5mm front spacers may be required with tires that run wide and/or cars with Coilovers / HAS kits.
• X-Drive Compatible
• OE fitment:  Front 225/35-19 // Rear 255/30-19
• Direct Fit
• X-Drive Compatible

Ideal for the driver who wants to fill out the wheel wells with the widest possible rubber and/or perfectly flush offsets. These fitments are sometimes direct bolt-on, but often times require small spacers, negative camber, or rolled fenders for the sake of dialing in the perfect blend of function and form. Larger diameter wheels are commonly featured.

Narrower tire sizes relative to wheel width are more common here to help move the tire sidewall away from the fenders with more aggressive offsets. Street-oriented all season and summer tires are popular options.

Square Setups: Recommended for most types of street and performance driving. Allows proper front-to-rear tire rotation to extend tire life & improve handling balance. We generally recommend square fitments for xDrive/AWD models.

Wheels

• Front & Rear: 19x9" ET28 (ARC-8), ET30
• Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, SM-10

Tires

APEX Staff Pick:

• Front & Rear: 245/35-19
• 5mm front spacers may be required with VS-5RS or ARC-8 on cars with Coilovers or HAS kits.
• X-Drive Compatible

Shorter alternative:

• Front & Rear: 255/30-19
• 5mm front spacers or wider are often required with tires that run wide or cars with Coilovers / HAS kits.
• Additional negative camber via camber plates recommended up front to prevent rubbing
• X-Drive Compatible

Staggered Setups

Maintains stock-like handling characteristics, tires can only be rotated left to right. Maximizes both front and rear tire width. We generally recommend staggered fitments for RWD models.

Wheels

• Front: 19x9" ET28 (ARC-8), ET30
• Rear: 19x9.5 ET33
• Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, SM-10

Tires

APEX Staff Pick

• Front: 235/35-19
• Rear: 265/30-19
• 5mm front spacers may be required with tires that run wide and/or cars with Coilovers / HAS kits.
• Rear fender rolling may be required depending on tire model.
• X-Drive Compatible

Wider Alternative: 

• Front: 245/35-19
• Rear: 275/30-19
• 5mm front spacers are often required with tires that run wide or cars with Coilovers / HAS kits.
• Rear fender rolling/pulling required.
• X-Drive Compatible

These fitments prioritize (in order): 1. Performance 2. Ease of fitment 3. Aesthetics

These fitments are effective for both performance-oriented street cars and weekend track warriors. The suspension type, alignment settings, and tire brand/size can be changed accordingly to work for either scenario.

Square Setups: Recommended for most types of street and performance driving. Allows proper front-to-rear tire rotation to extend tire life & improve handling balance. We generally recommend square fitments for xDrive/AWD models.

Wheels

• Front & Rear: 17x9" ET30
• Available in: ARC-8

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick: Front & Rear: 245/40-17
• 5mm front spacers may be required with tires that run wide or cars with Coilovers / HAS kits.
• X-Drive Compatible

• Wider Alternative: Front & Rear: 255/40-17
• 5mm front spacers or wider are often required with tires that run wide or cars with Coilovers / HAS kits.
• Additional negative camber via camber plates recommended up front to prevent rubbing
• X-Drive Compatible

Wheels

• Front & Rear: 18x9" ET30, ET31 (EC-7)
• Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, EC-7RS, SM-10, SM-10RS, VS-5RS
• Popular fitment

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick: Front & Rear 245/40-18
• 5mm front spacers may be required with tires that run wide or cars with Coilovers / HAS kits.
• X-Drive Compatible

• Wider Alternative: Front & Rear 255/35-18
• 5mm front spacers or wider are often required with tires that run wide or cars with Coilovers / HAS kits.
• Additional negative camber via camber plates recommended up front to prevent rubbing
• X-Drive Compatible

Staggered Setups Maintains stock-like handling characteristics, tires can only be rotated left to right. Maximizes both front and rear tire width. We generally recommend staggered fitments for RWD models.

Wheels

• Front: 17x9 ET30 // Rear: 17x9.5 ET35
• Available in: ARC-8, VS-5RS

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick:  Front 245/40-17 // Rear 275/40-17
• 5mm front spacers may be required with tires that run wide or cars with with Coilovers or HAS kits.
• Rear fender rolling/pulling required.
• Not X-Drive Compatible

Wheels

• Front: 18x9 ET30, ET31 (EC-7) // Rear: 18x9.5 ET35
• Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, EC-7RS, SM-10, VS-5RS
• Popular Fitment

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick: Front 235/40-18 // Rear 265/35-18
• 5mm front spacers may be required with tires that run wide and/or cars with Coilovers / HAS kits.
• Rear fender rolling may be required with tires that run wide.
• X-Drive Compatible

• Wider Alternative:  Front 245/35-18 // Rear 275/35-18
• 5mm front spacers are required with tires that run wide or cars with Coilovers / HAS kits.
• Rear fender rolling/pulling required.
• X-Drive Compatible

LCI Sedan and Wagon-Specific Staggered Setup

This fitment is optimized to allow LCI Sedans and wagons to run wider tires without the need for rear fender modifications.

Wheels

• Front: 18x9 ET31 (EC-7) // Rear: 18x9.5 ET43
• Available in: EC-7

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick: Front 235/40-18 // Rear 265/35-18
• 5mm front spacers may be required with tires that run wide and/or cars with Coilovers / HAS kits.
• X-Drive Compatible

• Wider Alternative:  Front 245/35-18 // Rear 275/35-18
• 5mm front spacers are required with tires that run wide or cars with Coilovers / HAS kits.
• X-Drive Compatible

These fitments prioritize (in order): 1. Performance 2. Ease of fitment 3. Aesthetics

These no-compromise fitments are ideal for dedicated track / race cars. They rely on aggressive negative camber specifications and often require rolled rear fenders to prevent rubbing. Since you'll be using all available real estate under the fender arches to accommodate these wide wheels, coilovers with linear race springs are a recommended for inner clearance (JRZ, MCS, Ground Control, AST, Moton, etc.).

Square Setups

Recommended for most types of street and performance driving. Allows proper front-to-rear tire rotation to extend tire life & improve handling balance. We generally recommend square fitments for xDrive/AWD models.

Wheels

• Front & Rear: 17x9.5" ET35
• Available in: ARC-8, VS-5RS

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick: Front & Rear: 255/40-17
• 5 - 12mm front spacers required. Wider spacers are required for cars with coilovers or HAS kits that reduce inner clearance.
• Aftermarket camber plates and a minimum of -3° of camber required
• Significant rubbing will occur when turning the front wheels at full steering lock
• X-Drive Compatible

Wheels

• Front & Rear: 18x9.5" ET35
• Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, EC-7RS, SM-10, VS-5RS

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick: Front & Rear 265/35-18
• 5 - 12mm front spacers required
• Aftermarket camber plates and a minimum of -3.5° of camber required
• Significant rubbing will occur when turning the front wheels at full steering lock
• X-Drive Compatible

Our wheels are popular for winter use because of their unmatched caliper clearance. We recommend a square fitment in order to allow front-to-rear tire rotation, although staggered fitments can also be used.

Wheels

• Front & Rear: 18x9" ET30, ET31 (EC-7)
• Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, EC-7RS, SM-10, SM-10RS VS-5RS
• Popular fitment

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick: Front & Rear 235/40-18
• Direct fit
• X-Drive Compatible

Aftermarket E9x 3-Series Suspensions Known To Reduce Inner Clearance (includes but not limited to):

• Bilstein PSS9 & PSS10
• KW Height-Adjustable Spring (HAS) kit
• KW Variants
• KW Clubsports
• Öhlins Road & Track

About Camber Plates

We've used an M3 photo, but the principles are the same. Adjustable camber plates do more than just aid in wide wheel and tire fitment. They provide increased grip and reduced tire wear by spreading the load evenly during cornering. Learn more in our blog article, The Positives of Negative Camber.