Probably a good idea to take care of your hub and maybe think about replacing the lug bolts eventually too. My car is a lifetime PNW car, so it's never seen salt, though. I looked and hubcentric rings are only $10-15 so I'll make sure to order those. I'm trying to convince myself about which way to go:

1. Keep using my style 57s and just buy new 235/65/17s: about $600 total
2. Buy some local style 58s and buy a set of 255s: $300 for rims plus another $700 for tires
3. Drive 2.5 hours for some style 209s and buy 255s: A long drive plus $300 for rims plus another $700 for tires
4. Buy some local style 214s and buy new staggered 20" tires: $300 plus another $900 for tires
5. Drive 5 hours for some black-painted Style 131s that I really want: $100 for rims plus $700 for tires plus a day of my life.


I'd really like to get the bigger wheels for better stability when towing. The style 214s win there, with their massive footprint. However, I thought twice about this plan when I looked them up and saw how heavy they are. The wheels are each 15-20 lbs heavy than my 17s, and the tires are each about 10 lbs heavier than 17" tires. So while it may be more stable with much bigger tires, I am sure that my lowly M54 will struggle to push another roughly 110 lbs of rotating weight.

(The weight gain going to 18s is only about 10-20 lbs total, in comparison.)



At least I'm not lacking options! I really wish there were some style 131s locally, because those are by far my favorite E53 rim, and the internets also tell me they're the lightest 18" OEM wheel for our cars.

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2003 3.0 5MT Topasblau
Purchased in 2016 and sold in 2024
2012 35d Platingrau