The 2011 BMW 550i GT occupies an unusual place in BMW’s lineup, blending luxury hatchback practicality with grand-touring manners and the stance of a modern performance car. That mix makes tire selection more configuration-sensitive than it first appears, especially because this model uses several different radial sizes across standard and Sport Package front and rear fitments. The Base model uses 245/50R18, while Sport Package setups move to staggered 19-inch or 20-inch combinations. Available choices range from blackwall performance radials to RWL and redline treatments in select sizes, so the right tire depends on wheel diameter, front-versus-rear position, and whether appearance or contemporary road manners matters most.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2011 BMW 550i GT
The 2011 BMW 550i GT uses five primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends first on whether the car is a Base model or a Sport Package front or rear fitment. Rim diameter matters immediately here, because this BMW appears with 18-inch, 19-inch, and 20-inch wheel setups, including staggered front and rear combinations on Sport Package cars.
A 245/50R18 tire uses a 245-millimeter section width, a 50-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and an 18-inch rim diameter. On the 2011 BMW 550i GT, this is the primary Base model size and keeps the fitment in a straightforward single-size radial format rather than a staggered setup. Available choices in this size include Pro-Trac Street Pro III tires with either RWL or redline sidewall styling. This size makes sense for owners confirming a standard 18-inch wheel package and deciding whether they want a more traditional visual accent or a cleaner modern radial presentation.
A 245/40R20 tire carries the same 245-millimeter nominal width as other front fitments here, but it uses a lower 40-series profile on a 20-inch rim. This radial size serves as a Sport Package front fitment and should be selected only after confirming the car is on the 20-inch front wheel setup. Product choices include BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac, with blackwall, RWL, and redline options depending on the tire line. It is a useful size for owners balancing contemporary performance-oriented selections with appearance choices that can either stay understated or add a more custom sidewall look.
A 245/45R19 tire is a metric radial with a 245-millimeter section width, a 45-series profile, and a 19-inch rim diameter. On the 2011 BMW 550i GT, this size is used at the front on certain Sport Package configurations, so it belongs to a staggered setup rather than a four-corner Base fitment. BFGoodrich and Nitto offerings in this size are centered on blackwall performance radials across multiple series. This size should be evaluated by owners who have confirmed 19-inch front wheels and want to compare tire series, rim-width compatibility, and overall product character within the correct front fitment.
A 275/35R20 tire increases section width to 275 millimeters, uses a lower 35-series profile, and mounts on a 20-inch rim. On the 2011 BMW 550i GT, this is a Sport Package rear size, pairing with a narrower front tire in a staggered arrangement rather than serving as a universal fitment. Available products include BFGoodrich, Nitto, and Pro-Trac choices, with blackwall, RWL, and redline sidewall treatments represented in this size. It belongs in the conversation only after rear wheel diameter is confirmed, since the key decision is not just width but matching the rear tire to the correct 20-inch Sport Package setup.
A 275/40R19 tire is a wide metric radial that combines a 275-millimeter section width, a 40-series profile, and a 19-inch rim diameter. This size serves as a Sport Package rear fitment on the 2011 BMW 550i GT, where it complements a narrower 19-inch front tire in a staggered layout. BFGoodrich and Nitto options are available here, primarily in blackwall form and across several performance-oriented series. Owners should treat this as a rear-specific selection tied to the 19-inch Sport Package wheel setup, then compare series and rim-width specifications within that confirmed rear application.
Sub-model fitment on the 2011 BMW 550i GT varies by wheel package and by front-versus-rear position on Sport Package cars. Checking the exact sub-model matters here because the Base setup uses one size, while Sport Package configurations use staggered radial fitments on either 19-inch or 20-inch wheels.
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2011 BMW 550i GT Base
The 2011 BMW 550i GT Base uses a single 245/50R18 radial fitment, making tire selection more straightforward than on the staggered Sport Package versions. The main decision here is confirming the 18-inch wheel setup and then choosing among available sidewall treatments and tire styles within that size.
The 2011 BMW 550i GT w/Sport Pkg. Front uses either 245/40R20 or 245/45R19, so front tire choice depends on which Sport Package wheel diameter is actually on the car. That makes wheel confirmation the first step, followed by comparing tire series and sidewall presentation within the correct front size.
The 2011 BMW 550i GT w/Sport Pkg. Rear uses either 275/35R20 or 275/40R19 as part of a staggered radial setup. Rear tire selection should begin with the actual rear wheel diameter, then move to matching the correct width and profile to the front fitment already on the vehicle.
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 550i GT Tires for Sale
Available 2011 BMW 550i GT tire choices span Pro-Trac, BFGoodrich, and Nitto, with differences in tire series, sidewall styling, and wheel-size coverage across the 18-inch, 19-inch, and 20-inch fitments. Depending on size, buyers can compare blackwall performance radials with RWL or redline alternatives.
Tire questions for the 2011 BMW 550i GT usually come down to identifying the exact wheel package, confirming front and rear staggered sizes on Sport Package cars, and comparing radial tire styles, brands, and appearance options within the correct fitment.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2011 BMW 550i GT?
The 2011 BMW 550i GT uses several tire sizes depending on configuration: 245/50R18 for the Base model, 245/45R19 and 275/40R19 for certain Sport Package front and rear setups, and 245/40R20 with 275/35R20 for 20-inch Sport Package front and rear fitments. All of these are radial sizes.
The key is identifying whether the car is Base or Sport Package and then confirming the actual wheel diameter at each axle. A Sport Package car may use staggered sizing, so the front and rear tires are not interchangeable even when the overall tire diameters are close.
What size rim does a 2011 BMW 550i GT use?
A 2011 BMW 550i GT appears with 18-inch, 19-inch, or 20-inch rim diameters depending on model configuration. The Base model uses an 18-inch fitment, while Sport Package configurations use either 19-inch or 20-inch front and rear combinations tied to the corresponding tire sizes.
That makes wheel diameter the first thing to verify before comparing tires. Looking only at the model year and name is not enough, because the same 550i GT can have different front and rear rim diameters based on package and wheel setup already on the vehicle.
Why does the 2011 BMW 550i GT have more than one tire size?
The 2011 BMW 550i GT has more than one tire size because fitment changes between the Base model and Sport Package versions, and Sport Package cars use separate front and rear sizes. It also appears with more than one wheel diameter, which creates different 19-inch and 20-inch staggered combinations.
That means tire selection starts with the exact configuration, not just the model name. Checking the wheel size at each corner is especially important on used cars, since wheel changes or package confusion can easily lead to ordering the wrong front or rear tire size.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 2011 BMW 550i GT tire?
Start with the correct size for the exact setup on the car, then compare construction, tire series, sidewall treatment, and wheel compatibility within that size. On the 2011 BMW 550i GT, the biggest split is between the Base 18-inch fitment and the staggered 19-inch or 20-inch Sport Package arrangements.
Once the size is confirmed, the real choice becomes product character and appearance. Some sizes are offered only in blackwall performance radials, while others also include RWL or redline versions, so the final decision may balance driving use, visual style, and whether the car keeps its original wheel package.
What sidewall styles are available for 2011 BMW 550i GT tires?
Sidewall choices for the 2011 BMW 550i GT include blackwall, RWL, and redline depending on tire size. The 18-inch 245/50R18 and the 20-inch Sport Package sizes include RWL and redline options from Pro-Trac, while the 19-inch and several performance-oriented fitments are centered on blackwall designs.
That makes sidewall styling part of the decision only after the correct size is locked in. An owner looking for a cleaner contemporary appearance may lean toward blackwall, while RWL or redline can change the visual personality of the car without changing the underlying radial construction.
What brands offer tires for the 2011 BMW 550i GT?
Tires for the 2011 BMW 550i GT are available from Pro-Trac, BFGoodrich, and Nitto across the supported sizes. Brand availability varies by fitment, with Pro-Trac covering the 18-inch Base size and appearing again in the 20-inch Sport Package sizes, while BFGoodrich and Nitto are prominent in the 19-inch and 20-inch performance sizes.
Brand choice should be made within the correct size rather than treated as a separate fitment decision. After that, it helps to compare tire series, sidewall style, and any stated rim-width or load details that matter to the specific wheel setup already on the vehicle.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2011 BMW 550i GT?
A period-style approach for a 2011 BMW 550i GT starts with keeping the correct wheel diameter and front-or-rear sizing for the car’s actual configuration. From there, a blackwall radial preserves a contemporary OEM-era look, while RWL or redline options in certain sizes create a more customized visual statement.
The most important step is matching the tire to the setup already on the car rather than choosing by appearance alone. Owners pursuing originality-focused presentation should also compare the car against BMW-specific historical references or marque-community guidance before treating any sidewall treatment as era-authentic.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 2011 BMW 550i GT?
Tire construction is less of a visual fork here than on older collector vehicles because the 2011 BMW 550i GT uses radial tires across all primary fitments. The bigger appearance differences come from sidewall treatment and tire series, especially where blackwall, RWL, and redline choices are available in the same basic size family.
That means a restoration-oriented owner can usually stay within the proper radial construction while still changing the car’s look. Preserving the intended stance also depends on keeping the correct front and rear size relationship on Sport Package cars instead of mixing sizes simply for visual effect.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2011 BMW 550i GT?
Yes. Modifications such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel widths, suspension changes, or nonstandard front-to-rear setups can affect tire fitment on a 2011 BMW 550i GT. That matters even more on Sport Package cars because the vehicle already uses staggered sizing, so small changes in wheel specification can complicate tire selection quickly.
A changed setup should be measured rather than assumed from the original model designation. Checking actual wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at the fender and suspension points is the safest way to confirm that the chosen tire matches the car now, not just how it left the factory era.
What should I inspect before driving a 2011 BMW 550i GT on new tires?
Before driving a 2011 BMW 550i GT on new tires, inspect wheel condition, confirm the correct size at each corner, and check that front and rear positions are matched properly on any staggered Sport Package setup. Tire pressure, valve stems, balance, and clearances at full steering lock also deserve attention before regular road use.
It also helps to look over the suspension and alignment condition, since worn components can affect how a fresh set of radials behaves. A short initial drive followed by a recheck for pressure stability and any rubbing or abnormal wear patterns can catch setup issues early.
How often should tires on a 2011 BMW 550i GT be inspected?
Tires on a 2011 BMW 550i GT should be inspected regularly, especially before longer drives and during normal pressure checks. On a vehicle with staggered fitment options and lower-profile 19-inch or 20-inch tires, it is worth watching for uneven wear, sidewall damage, punctures, and pressure loss more closely than a quick glance allows.
An inspection routine should include tread condition, visible cracking, bulges, and signs of contact with fenders or suspension components. Cars that sit for stretches between drives still need attention, since age, storage conditions, and underinflation can affect tire condition even when mileage remains low.
