BMW F30 F31 F34 3 Series Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide

Are you looking for the perfect wheel and tire fitment for your 2012-2019 F30, F31, and F34 3 series? Our F3x Fitment guide outlines a huge range of fitment options from OE style options including M3 wheels on your F3X to aggressive track-oriented fitments that target performance and wide, meaty tires. Our chassis-specific fitments include wheels like the Flow Formed ARC-8s, EC-7s and SM-10s which have been popular options for many years because of their high quality and affordable price point. Our Forged wheels offer our highest performance options with a dual focus on weight and strength and include our ARC-8RT, ML-10RT, VS-5RS, EC-7RS, and SM-10RS. The wheel fitments outlined in this guide apply to all models of F30 sedan and F31 touring including 316i, 316d, 318i, 318d, 320i, 320d, 325d, 330i, 330d, 335i, 335d, 340i along with xDrive and xi models. If you’re looking for wheels for your F80 M3, head over to our BMW F80 M3 Wheel & Tire Fitment Guide.

For those considering 17" wheels:

Brake clearance is tight with certain stock brake calipers when running 17" wheels on the F22 chassis. The optional brake packages with 370mm front rotors available on some cars will not clear 17" wheels. Cars with 345mm rear rotors will have extremely tight clearances with the vibration dampeners on the ends of the brake pads and caliper to barrel clearance as well. 17" wheels will clear the calipers themselves, but debris may be caught between the rear brake calipers and the barrel of the wheels which may cause scratching on both components over time. 

Caliper color alone is not a viable way of identifying which brakes you have! If you are unsure which brake package your car is equipped with, you can review Bimmerworld's technical article here for information on the various brake packages by model. 

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

Ideal for the driver who wants a no-nonsense direct bolt-on fitment. These fitments are a small step up from stock wheels and tires, and offer a small but noticeable performance improvement.

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.

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 17x8.5" ET40
• Rear Wheel Size: 17x8.5" ET40
• • Available in: ARC-8, ARC-8RT, ML-10RT
  • Does not clear 370mm M-Sport brakes.
  • Cars with the optional 345mm rear M sport/M performance rear brakes will likely see scratching between the rear brake calipers and wheel barrels with 17" wheels. To identify which rear brakes you have, consult this article:

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick:
• • Front Tire Size: 235/45-17
  • Rear Tire Size: 235/45-17
  • Direct fit.
  • 245/45-17 tires can also be used.

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 18x8.5" ET35 or ET38 (ARC-8) or ET40
• Rear Wheel Size: 18x8.5" ET35 or ET38 (ARC-8) or ET40
• • Available in: ARC-8, ARC-8RT, EC-7, ML-10RT, SM-10, VS-5RS
  • Popular fitment.

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick:
• • Front Tire Size: 235/40-18
  • Rear Tire Size: 235/40-18
  • Direct fit.
  • OEM 225/45-18 tires may be used.
  • 245/40-18 tires can also be used.

Wheels

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

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick:
• • Front Tire Size: 235/40-19
  • Rear Tire Size: 235/40-19
  • Direct fit.
  • OEM 225/40-19 tires may also be used.

Staggered Setups Maintains stock-like handling characteristics, tires can only be rotated left to right. Maximizes both front and rear tire width.

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 18x8.5" ET38
• Rear Wheel Size: 18x9" ET42
• • Available in: ARC-8
  • Popular fitment.

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick:
• • Front Tire Size: 235/40-18
  • Rear Tire Size: 255/40-18
  • Direct fit.
  • OEM 225/45-18 tires can also be used.
  • xDrive requires 225/45-18 front and 255/40-18 rear tires.

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 19x8.5" ET35
• Rear Wheel Size: 19x9" ET30
• • Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, SM-10, VS-5RS
  • Popular fitment.

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick:
• • Front Tire Size: 225/40-19
  • Rear Tire Size: 255/35-19
  • Direct fit.
  • Matches sizing for OE tires.
  • Rear fitment will be more flush than front. 5mm front spacers can be used to balance the look between axles.
  • xDrive Compatible

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

Ideal for the driver who wants to fill out the wheel wells with the widest possible rubber and perfectly flush offsets. Sometimes these fitments are a 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.

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.

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 17x9" ET30
• Rear Wheel Size: 17x9" ET30
• • Available in: ARC-8, ARC-8RT, ML-10RT, VS-5RS
  • Does not clear 370mm M-Sport brakes.
  • Cars with the optional 345mm rear M sport/M performance rear brakes will likely see scratching between the rear brake calipers and wheel barrels with 17" wheels. To identify which rear brakes you have, consult this article.

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick:
• • Front Tire Size: 245/45-17
  • Rear Tire Size: 245/45-17
  • Direct fit.
  • 235/45-17 tires can also be used.

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 18x9" ET30 or ET31 (EC-7)
• Rear Wheel Size: 18x9" ET30 or ET31 (EC-7)
• • Available in: ARC-8, ARC-8RT, EC-7, EC-7RS, ML-10RT, SM-10, VS-5RS
  • Popular fitment.

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick:
• • Front Tire Size: 245/40-18
  • Rear Tire Size: 245/40-18
  • Direct fit.
  • 255/35-18 tires may also be used. These may poke at stock ride height/alignment settings.
  • 255/40-18 tires may also be used but may rub depending on ride height and tire brand. Front negative camber and rolled rear fenders may be required.

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 19x9" ET28 (ARC-8) or ET30
• Rear Wheel Size: 19x9" ET28 (ARC-8) or ET30
• • Available in: ARC-8, ARC-8RT, EC-7, ML-10RT, SM-10, VS-5RS

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick:
• • Front Tire Size: 255/30-19
  • Rear Tire Size: 255/30-19
  • Direct fit.
  • Slight front negative camber recommended.
  • 245/35-19 tires can also be used, but tire models that run wide may cause rubbing.

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 19x9.5" ET33 or ET35 (VS-5RS)
• Rear Wheel Size: 19x9.5" ET33 or ET35 (VS-5RS)
• • Available in: ARC-8, EC-7, SM-10, VS-5RS

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick:
• • Front Tire Size: 255/30-19
  • Rear Tire Size: 255/30-19
  • Extremely close front inner clearance, 3mm front spacers may be required depending on tire brand.
  • Rear fender roll may be required depending on ride height and tire brand.

Staggered Setups Maintains stock-like handling characteristics, tires can only be rotated left to right. Maximizes both front and rear tire width.

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 18x9" ET30 or ET31 (EC-7)
• Rear Wheel Size: 18x9.5" ET35
• • Available in: ARC-8, ARC-8RT, EC-7, EC-7RS, ML-10RT, SM-10, VS-5RS

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick:
• • Front Tire Size: 245/40-18
  • Rear Tire Size: 275/35-18
  • Rear fender roll may be required.
  • 235/40 and 265/35 tires may also be used for an easier fit.
  • xDrive requires 235/40-18 front and 265/35-18 rear OR 245/40-18 front and 275/35-18 rear tires.

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 18x9" ET31
• Rear Wheel Size: 18x9.5" ET43
• • Available in: EC-7

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick:
• • Front Tire Size: 245/40-18
  • Rear Tire Size: 275/35-18
  • Rear fender roll may be required with lowered cars or tires that run wide
  • 235/40 and 265/35 tires may also be used for an easier fit.
  • xDrive requires 235/40-18 front and 265/35-18 rear OR 245/40-18 front and 275/35-18 rear tires.

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 19x9" ET28 (ARC-8) or ET30
• Rear Wheel Size: 19x9.5" ET33 or ET35 (VS-5RS)
• • Available in: ARC-8, ARC-8RT, EC-7, SM-10, VS-5RS
  • Popular fitment.

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick:
• • Front Tire Size: 245/35-19
  • Rear Tire Size: 275/30-19
  • Slight front negative camber recommended.
  • Rear rolled fenders or negative camber required.
  • xDrive requires 235/35-19 front and 265/30-19 rear OR 245/35-19 front and 275/30-19 rear tires.

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 19x9" ET30
• Rear Wheel Size: 19x10" ET40 
• • Available in: ML-10RT, VS-5RS
  • Aggressive fitment that mirrors the fit of OEM M2/3/4 437M or 763M wheels. Forum Thread. 

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick:
• • Front Tire Size: 245/35-19
  • Rear Tire Size: 265/35-19
  • Slight front negative camber recommended.
  • Rear rolled fenders or negative camber recommended.
  • xDrive requires 235/35-19 front and 265/30-19 rear OR 245/35-19 front and 275/30-19 rear tires.

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.

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 18x9” ET30 or ET31 (EC-7)
• Rear Wheel Size: 18x9” ET30 or ET31 (EC-7)
• • Available in: ARC-8, ARC-8RT, EC-7, EC-7RS, ML-10RT, SM-10, VS-5RS
  • Popular fitment.

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick:
• • Front Tire Size: 245/40-18
  • Rear Tire Size: 245/40-18
  • Direct fit
  • 255/35-18 tires may also be used. These may poke at stock ride height/alignment settings.
  • 255/40-18 tires may also be used but may rub depending on ride height and tire brand. Front negative camber and rolled rear fenders may be required.
  • Recommended fitment for suspensions with limited inner clearance, see below.

Wheels

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

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick:
• • Front Tire Size: 265/35-18
  • Rear Tire Size: 265/35-18
  • Extremely close front inner clearance, 3-5mm front spacers may be required depending on tire brand.
  • Additional negative camber recommended up front to prevent rubbing.
  • Rear fender roll may be required depending on ride height and tire brand.

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 18x9" ET42
• Rear Wheel Size: 18x9" ET42
• • Available in: ARC-8

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick:
• • Front Tire Size: 245/40-18
  • Rear Tire Size: 245/40-18
  • Front 5mm spacers required for stock suspension or coilovers with excellent inner clearance.
  • 255/40-18 tires may also be used as a direct fit.
  • Not recommended for coilovers with limited inner clearance, see below.

Staggered Setups Maintains stock-like handling characteristics, tires can only be rotated left to right. Maximizes both front and rear tire width.

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 18x9" ET31
• Rear Wheel Size: 18x9.5" ET43
• • Available in: EC-7

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick:
• • Front Tire Size: 245/40-18
  • Rear Tire Size: 275/35-18
  • Rear fender roll may be required to prevent rubbing depending on ride height.
  • xDrive requires 235/40-18 front and 265/35-18 rear OR 245/40-18 front and 275/35-18 rear tires.

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.

Square setups

Wheels

• Front Wheel Size: 18x8.5" ET35, ET38 (ARC-8), ET40
• Rear Wheel Size: 18x8.5" ET35, ET38 (ARC-8), ET40
• • Available in: ARC-8, ARC-8RT, EC-7, ML-10RT, SM-10, VS-5RS

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick:
• • Front Tire Size: 225/45-18 winter tires
  • Rear Tire Size: 225/45-18 winter tires
  • Direct fit

Wheels

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

Tires

• APEX Staff Pick:
• • Front Tire Size: 225/40-19 winter tires
  • Rear Tire Size: 225/40-19 winter tires
  • Direct fit

Concavity & Face Profiles

Each of our wheel designs is available in two or three different levels of concavity, which we call Profiles. The Profile is dictated by the width and offset, meaning wide lower-offset wheels will have more concavity, while narrow higher-offset wheels will have less concavity.

Identifying Suspension Types

If you’re using coilovers, see the image below to identify which type of coilover spring you have, as it may effect your wheel fitment.

Aftermarket F3x 3 & 4-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

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.

Big Brake Kit Clearances

We have tested many brake kits with the wheels listed in this guide. Please email us with any questions related to brake clearance, we’ll be happy to help.

Still have questions?

Fill out our Fitment Recommendation form Call us: 925-245-0773 Email us: support@apexraceparts.com