The 2011 BMW 135i brought compact rear-wheel-drive BMW performance into a smaller, more tossable package, pairing turbocharged power with the balanced proportions that made the 1 Series especially appealing to drivers who wanted a modern enthusiast car without moving up in size. Tire fitment on the 2011 BMW 135i centers on radial construction, with both 17-inch and 18-inch applications depending on body style and sport-package setup. That makes the real decision less about vintage construction changes and more about matching the correct front or rear size, wheel diameter, and the look or character you want from blackwall, redline, raised white letter, or whitewall options where available. Getting that choice right starts with the exact sub-model and wheel setup on the car.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2011 BMW 135i
The 2011 BMW 135i uses four primary tire sizes, and the correct choice depends on body style, wheel diameter, and whether the car has the sport-package staggered setup. Both 17-inch and 18-inch radial fitments appear here. Before choosing a tire, identify whether the car is a Convertible, a sport-package Convertible front or rear position, or a Coupe front or rear position, then confirm the actual wheel diameter on the car.
205/50R17 is a metric radial size with a 205-millimeter section width, a 50-series profile, and a 17-inch rim diameter. On the 2011 BMW 135i, it serves as one of the 17-inch fitments and is especially relevant for standard setups rather than the larger sport-package rear application. Product choice is broad in this size, with BFGoodrich, American Classic, and Vredestein options, plus blackwall and wide whitewall presentations across several tire series. It is the size to focus on when keeping a 17-inch front fitment or a standard Convertible setup while still choosing the look and driving character that suits the car.
Fit(s): Convertible w/Sport Pkg. Front and Coupe Front
Construction: Radial|Rim: 18 in
215/40R18 is a metric radial size that uses a 215-millimeter section width, a lower 40-series profile, and an 18-inch rim diameter. For the 2011 BMW 135i, this size is tied to the 18-inch sport-package front position rather than a general all-model application. Available choices in this size stay focused, with a blackwall BFGoodrich g-Force Sport Comp 2 option that matches the modern performance character of the fitment. It is the size to evaluate when the car carries the 18-inch front wheel setup and you want to preserve that lower-profile presentation.
Fit(s): Convertible w/Sport Pkg. Rear and Coupe Rear
Construction: Radial|Rim: 18 in
245/35R18 is a wider metric radial with a 245-millimeter section width, a 35-series profile, and an 18-inch rim diameter. On the 2011 BMW 135i, it is used in the 18-inch rear position on staggered sport-package applications, where front and rear sizes are intentionally different. The available selection in this size is centered on a blackwall BFGoodrich g-Force Phenom T/A, keeping the emphasis on a contemporary performance-style radial. This is the fitment to confirm when the car has 18-inch rear wheels and a staggered setup that should not be confused with the narrower front size.
225/45R17 is a metric radial size with a 225-millimeter section width, a 45-series profile, and a 17-inch rim diameter. For the 2011 BMW 135i, it appears as a rear fitment on 17-inch Coupe applications, making it part of a staggered arrangement even though it shares the same rim diameter family as the 205/50R17 front. This size offers the widest visible variety, including BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac choices, along with blackwall, raised white letter, and redline sidewall treatments. It is the right place to compare appearance and tire-series differences once the rear 17-inch Coupe fitment has been confirmed.
Sub-model fitment on the 2011 BMW 135i is not one-size-fits-all, because body style and front-versus-rear sport-package applications change the tire size. Checking the exact sub-model and wheel position matters first, especially where staggered front and rear combinations are involved.
1
2011 BMW 135i Convertible
The 2011 BMW 135i Convertible uses a 17-inch radial fitment centered on 205/50R17. Tire selection here is mostly about choosing among available brands and sidewall presentations while confirming that the car still has its matching 17-inch wheel setup.
The 2011 BMW 135i Convertible w/Sport Pkg. Front uses the 215/40R18 radial front size. That makes wheel-diameter confirmation especially important, since this lower-profile 18-inch front fitment should be matched to the correct sport-package wheel position.
The 2011 BMW 135i Convertible w/Sport Pkg. Rear uses the wider 245/35R18 radial rear size. Tire choice here should stay focused on the rear sport-package application, with attention to keeping the staggered setup distinct from the narrower 18-inch front tire.
The 2011 BMW 135i Coupe Front can use either a 17-inch or 18-inch radial front fitment, depending on the wheel package on the car. Selecting the right tire starts with confirming whether the coupe has the standard 17-inch setup or the sport-package 18-inch front wheel.
The 2011 BMW 135i Coupe Rear also varies by wheel package, using either a 17-inch rear size or the wider 18-inch sport-package rear size. That means the rear tire should be chosen only after verifying wheel diameter and making sure the car's staggered front and rear arrangement is being preserved.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 2011 BMW 135i Tires for Sale
Available 2011 BMW 135i tire choices span 17-inch and 18-inch radial sizes from BFGoodrich, American Classic, Vredestein, Nitto, and Pro-Trac. Depending on size, the comparison points include tire series, blackwall versus wide whitewall or redline styling, raised white letter presentation, and rim-width compatibility.
Owners of a 2011 BMW 135i usually need to sort out front versus rear sizing, 17-inch versus 18-inch wheels, and how available tire series and sidewall styles affect the finished look. These FAQs focus on exact fitment, product selection, and practical road-use checks.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2011 BMW 135i?
The 2011 BMW 135i uses four primary radial tire sizes: 205/50R17, 225/45R17, 215/40R18, and 245/35R18. The correct size depends on body style, wheel package, and whether the tire is for the front or rear position, since some 135i configurations use a staggered setup.
Choosing the right one starts with identifying the exact sub-model and confirming whether the car has 17-inch or 18-inch wheels. On Coupes and sport-package applications, front and rear sizes may differ, so the safest approach is to check both wheel positions rather than assuming all four tires should match.
What size rim does a 2011 BMW 135i use?
A 2011 BMW 135i uses either 17-inch or 18-inch rims, depending on the specific configuration. The 205/50R17 and 225/45R17 sizes mount on 17-inch wheels, while the 215/40R18 and 245/35R18 sizes mount on 18-inch wheels.
Rim diameter should be confirmed before looking at tread pattern, brand, or sidewall style, because a 17-inch tire cannot be mounted on an 18-inch wheel and vice versa. On staggered cars, it also helps to verify the front and rear wheels separately so the tire size matches the position it is meant to serve.
Why does the 2011 BMW 135i have more than one tire size?
More than one tire size appears on the 2011 BMW 135i because fitment changes with body style, sport-package equipment, and front-versus-rear wheel position. Some versions use 17-inch wheels, while others use 18-inch staggered combinations with different front and rear tire widths.
That means tire selection is tied to the car's actual setup, not just the model name on the trunk lid. A Coupe may need one front size and a different rear size, and a sport-package Convertible uses its own 18-inch front and rear pairing, so wheel diameter and axle position both matter.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 2011 BMW 135i tire?
Start with the correct size for the car's exact wheel position, then compare construction, rim-width compatibility, and the intended character of the tire. On a 2011 BMW 135i, that often means deciding within a specific radial size rather than deciding between old and modern construction types.
After size is confirmed, look at whether the car is used more as a sporty street car, a casual weekend car, or a style-driven build. Tire series, sidewall treatment, load figures where stated, and the actual wheel width on the car all help narrow the choice without mixing front and rear fitments.
What sidewall styles are available for 2011 BMW 135i tires?
Sidewall style depends on the tire size. Blackwall appears across all four 2011 BMW 135i sizes here, while 205/50R17 also offers a wide whitewall option, and 225/45R17 adds raised white letter and redline choices for buyers who want a more distinctive look.
That variety matters most once the correct fitment has been nailed down, because sidewall style should be chosen within the proper size rather than used to drive the size decision. A whitewall, redline, or raised white letter treatment can change the car's presentation noticeably without changing the basic wheel diameter requirement.
What brands offer tires for the 2011 BMW 135i?
Tires for the 2011 BMW 135i are available here from BFGoodrich, American Classic, Vredestein, Nitto, and Pro-Trac, depending on the size. Some sizes have a wider spread of brands, while the 18-inch sport-package fitments are more narrowly focused.
Brand comparison is most useful after confirming the exact size on the car, because the available lineup changes by fitment. The 17-inch sizes offer the broadest range for comparing tire series and visual style, while the 18-inch front and rear sport-package sizes stay closer to a performance-oriented blackwall presentation.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2011 BMW 135i?
A period-style 2011 BMW 135i tire starts with keeping the correct wheel diameter and front or rear size for the car's actual setup. Since this is a modern radial-fitment BMW, the appearance decision usually comes down to selecting a tire series and sidewall style that suits either a clean OEM-inspired look or a more personalized presentation.
Buyers who want a restrained factory-era impression will usually stay close to the standard blackwall options in the correct size. For a more custom appearance on 17-inch applications, wide whitewall, redline, or raised white letter choices can shift the look noticeably, though exact originality should be confirmed through vehicle-specific BMW references.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 2011 BMW 135i?
On a 2011 BMW 135i, construction changes do not create a vintage bias-ply versus radial decision, because the fitments here are already radial. Appearance is influenced more by the sidewall treatment, tire-series styling, and whether the car keeps its intended 17-inch or 18-inch wheel setup.
That makes the visual result more about proportion and presentation than about switching constructions. A blackwall radial keeps the look modern and restrained, while a redline, raised white letter, or wide whitewall option can push the car toward a more customized feel, especially on the 17-inch sizes where more styling variety is available.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2011 BMW 135i?
Yes. Modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2011 BMW 135i, especially if the car has aftermarket wheels, changed wheel widths, altered offsets, lowered suspension, or body and fender work. Those changes can matter even when the tire size itself matches one of the known 17-inch or 18-inch fitments.
A modified car should be checked for wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at both steering lock and full suspension movement. On staggered setups, the front and rear positions need separate attention, since using the correct size code alone does not guarantee that a changed wheel or suspension package leaves adequate room.
What should I inspect before driving a 2011 BMW 135i on new tires?
Before driving a 2011 BMW 135i on new tires, inspect the wheel size, confirm that the front and rear tires are mounted in the correct positions, and check inflation pressure, tread seating, and valve condition. It also helps to make sure there is no rubbing at full steering lock or under normal suspension movement.
A short test drive should be used to confirm that the car tracks cleanly and that there are no vibrations, contact noises, or clearance issues. Any car that has sat for long periods also deserves a quick look at alignment, brake drag, and suspension condition so the new tires are not asked to compensate for unrelated problems.
What should I check before a longer drive in a 2011 BMW 135i?
Before a longer drive, a 2011 BMW 135i should have tire pressures checked cold, tread and sidewalls inspected for cuts or bulges, and wheel hardware verified. The car's front and rear tire sizes should also be rechecked if it uses a staggered setup, since rotating or replacing tires incorrectly can create handling and clearance problems.
Longer trips are also a good time to look for uneven wear that may point to alignment or suspension issues rather than a tire problem alone. A car that is driven infrequently should be checked for age-related hardening, flat spotting after storage, and slow air loss before putting highway miles on the tires.
