Will I need an alignment after changing wheel size?

bb2048 · 12-01-2011, 08:47 PM

Hi guys,

I have a 2006 BMW 330xi (E90). The car came with the 17'' star looking wheels with snow tires and I decided to upgrade the wheels. I bought some 2006 BMW M3 CSL 19'' wheels OEM of some guys. The specs are below:

Front: 225/40/R19 (Wheel 8.5)
Rear: 255/35/R19 (Wheel 9.5)

The wheels have been installed for about 2 weeks now. I noticed the following:

I notices that the rear wheels are tilting a little bit, like if the camber or toes changed. The top part of the wheel is now a little bit in and the bottom part is tilting out. This is for both back wheels, fronts are fine. I also notice that the cars feels like it's slowing down, I also notices that the fuel consumption gauge is now consuming more fuel. Before I got an average of 25 MPG, now I'm only getting 20 MPG.

I did not align the car. The car is completely stock.

Please advice

Lulz_M3 · 12-02-2011, 12:24 PM

If you are simply changing wheels - then No, you do not require an alignment. However if it has been some time or you have reason to believe the alignment could use adjustment, i would have it performed. Upgraded wheels will only exacerbate alignment issues. The lower MPG's is somewhat expected, you have increased the contact patch of your tires on all 4 corners = more rolling resistance = less efficiency. But 5 MPG seems like alot.

VMRWheels · 12-02-2011, 12:35 PM

If your alignment is within spec and you are just changing the wheels an alignment is not necessary. However, if you have not gotten an alignment in a while I would highly recommend doing so. It's hard to tell simply by looking at the outside of your car if the alignment is off. As far as the gas mileage goes though, I don't think a bad alignment would make you lose 5mpg.

Gary@TireRack · 12-05-2011, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VMRWheels

If your alignment is within spec and you are just changing the wheels an alignment is not necessary. However, if you have not gotten an alignment in a while I would highly recommend doing so. It's hard to tell simply by looking at the outside of your car if the alignment is off. As far as the gas mileage goes though, I don't think a bad alignment would make you lose 5mpg.

+1

12-01-2011, 08:47 PM	#1
bb2048 New Member 3 Rep 13 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330xi (E90) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: MA, USA iTrader: (0)	Will I need an alignment after changing wheel size? Hi guys, I have a 2006 BMW 330xi (E90). The car came with the 17'' star looking wheels with snow tires and I decided to upgrade the wheels. I bought some 2006 BMW M3 CSL 19'' wheels OEM of some guys. The specs are below: Front: 225/40/R19 (Wheel 8.5) Rear: 255/35/R19 (Wheel 9.5) The wheels have been installed for about 2 weeks now. I noticed the following: I notices that the rear wheels are tilting a little bit, like if the camber or toes changed. The top part of the wheel is now a little bit in and the bottom part is tilting out. This is for both back wheels, fronts are fine. I also notice that the cars feels like it's slowing down, I also notices that the fuel consumption gauge is now consuming more fuel. Before I got an average of 25 MPG, now I'm only getting 20 MPG. I did not align the car. The car is completely stock. Please advice
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12-02-2011, 12:24 PM	#2
Lulz_M3 Banned 33 Rep 1,029 Posts Drives: AW 335i 6MT Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Jax, Fl iTrader: (0)	If you are simply changing wheels - then No, you do not require an alignment. However if it has been some time or you have reason to believe the alignment could use adjustment, i would have it performed. Upgraded wheels will only exacerbate alignment issues. The lower MPG's is somewhat expected, you have increased the contact patch of your tires on all 4 corners = more rolling resistance = less efficiency. But 5 MPG seems like alot.
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12-02-2011, 12:35 PM	#3
VMRWheels BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 2045 Rep 25,989 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2013 BMW M3 [10.00] 2015 BMW M4 [0.00] 2013 BMW F30 [0.00] 2014 BMW F22 [0.00] 2013 BMW F06 [0.00]	If your alignment is within spec and you are just changing the wheels an alignment is not necessary. However, if you have not gotten an alignment in a while I would highly recommend doing so. It's hard to tell simply by looking at the outside of your car if the alignment is off. As far as the gas mileage goes though, I don't think a bad alignment would make you lose 5mpg. __________________ VMR\|Wheels \| 714.442.7916 \| sales@velocitymotoring.com \| www.velocitymotoring.com \| facebook \| flickr \| Instagram
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