2003-2010 5 series sedans (E60) and wagons (E61).
EC-7 // Front: 19x8.5 ET35 with 15mm spacer (ET 20 shown) with 255/40-19 tires // Rear: 285/35-19 with 285/35-19 tires (M5 fitment only)
Vehicles Covered in this Guide:
2003-2010 5 series sedans (E60) and wagons (E61).
Chassis Introduction:
The E60 5 series was a step into new territory for BMW after the much loved and more conservatively styled E39 generation. Available with a variety of powertrains, the E60 has become a more popular platform for enthusiasts as it has aged but its higher offsets and AWD hub differences make the E60 a unique challenge when it comes to wheel fitment.
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Are you running APEX wheels on your E60 or E61? We would love to see and share your pictures! Email your photos to support@apexraceparts.com for a chance to be featured!
| Bolt Pattern | Thread Pitch | Center Bore |
| 5x120mm | M12x1.5mm | 72.56mm |
Performance Street & Track Fitments
Wider fitments for enhanced performance
RWD
Rear-wheel drive E60s have lower offsets than their AWD counterparts which makes these cars more suited to staggered wheel fitments and concave wheel profiles. All of these fitments will require spacers to reduce effective wheel offset for optimal fitment.
Staggered Setups
Maintains stock-like handling characteristics, tires can only be rotated left to right. Maximizes both front and rear tire width. Staggered setups are recommended for highly tuned cars that need extra rear tire width in order to control their increased power output.
- Front: 18x8.5" ET35 or ET38 with 245/40-18 tires and 18mm spacers
Rear: 18x9.5" ET22 with 275/35-18 tires- Available in our ARC-8, EC-7, FL-5, SM-10, ARC-8R and EC-7R designs
- 20mm front spacer recommended with 18x8.5 ET38 flow formed ARC-8 front wheels.
- Rear fender rolling or negative camber may be required for cars that are lowered or tire models that run wide.
- 265/35-18 rear tires may also be used for an easier fit.
- Thicker front spacers (22-24mm) and additional negative camber may be required with certain aftermarket suspensions, see below.
Square Setups
Allows proper front-to-rear tire rotation to extend tire life & improve handling balance.
- Front & Rear: 18x8.5" ET35 or ET38 with 245/40-18 tires
- Available in our ARC-8, EC-7, FL-5, SM-10, ARC-8R and EC-7R designs
- 18mm front spacers required
- 20mm rear spacers required.
- Flow formed ARC-8 requires 20mm front and 22mm rear spacers.
- Recommended winter fitment
AWD
19x8.5 ET35 Front & Rear on a 535ix // 245/35-19 Continental Extremecontact DWS 06+
AWD (xi) E60s have much higher offset requirements than their RWD counterparts. Square setups are the standard here with less aggressive wheel profiles and no spacers required with APEX wheels.
Square Setups
Allows proper front-to-rear tire rotation to extend tire life & improve handling balance.
- Front & Rear: 18x8.5" ET35 or ET38 with 245/40-18 tires
- Available in our ARC-8, EC-7, FL-5, SM-10, ARC-8R and EC-7R designs
- Direct fit
- Recommended winter fitment
Aggressive Street
Flush fitments focused on aesthetics.
RWD
Rear-wheel drive E60s have lower offsets than their AWD counterparts which makes these cars more suited to staggered wheel fitments and concave wheel profiles. All of these fitments will require spacers to reduce effective wheel offset for optimal fitment.
- Front: 19x8.5" ET35 with 245/35-19 tires and 18mm spacers
Rear: 19x9.5" ET22 with 275/30-19 tires- Available in ARC-8, EC-7 and SM-10 designs.
- Popular fitment.
- Rear fender rolling or negative camber may be required for cars that are lowered or tire models that run wide.
- 265/30-19 rear tires may also be used for an easier fit.
- Thicker front spacers (22-24mm) and additional front negative camber may be required with certain aftermarket suspensions, see below.
Square Setups
Allows proper front-to-rear tire rotation to extend tire life & improve handling balance.
- Front & Rear: 19x8.5" ET35 with 245/35-19 tires
- Available in ARC-8, EC-7 and SM-10 designs.
- Popular fitment.
- 18mm front spacers required
- 20mm rear spacers required.
AWD
AWD (xi) E60s have much higher offset requirements than their RWD counterparts. Square setups are the standard here with less aggressive wheel profiles and no spacers required with APEX wheels.
- Front & Rear: 19x8.5" ET35 with 245/35-19 tires
- Available in ARC-8, EC-7 and SM-10 designs.
- Direct Fit
- Popular fitment.
Additional Fitment Information
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.
Available Face Profiles
| ARC-8 | EC-7 | FL-5 | SM-10 |
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To determine the face profile of a specific wheel visit the "Specifications" tab on the product page for that wheel. For example:
Identifying Suspension Types
If you’re using coilovers, see the image below to identify which type of coilover spring you have, as it may affect your wheel fitment.
Aftermarket E6X 5 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
Still Have Questions?
Wheel fitment isn't easy and this guide doesn't cover some aggressive options that involve heavy modifications. If you are planning on taking your E60 to the next level with heavy modifications and aggressive wheels and would like feedback on the setup you have in mind, submit a fitment recommendation here: