The 2012 BMW 740i sits in the modern luxury-sedan tradition where ride quality, high-speed composure, and precise road manners all matter as much as appearance. As part of the F01-generation 7 Series, it blends executive comfort with a more athletic tire and wheel strategy than many full-size sedans. Tire fitment on the 2012 BMW 740i is entirely radial, but the right size depends on whether the car retains its standard 18-inch setup or uses staggered 19-inch or 20-inch front-and-rear sizing. That opens the door to choices in blackwall, RWL, and redline presentations across several performance-oriented tire series. The key is matching the exact wheel and axle setup before comparing style, series, and road-use priorities.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2012 BMW 740i
The 2012 BMW 740i uses five primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends first on the exact wheel and axle setup. Standard fitment uses 245/50R18, while 19-inch and 20-inch combinations split into narrower front and wider rear sizes. Before choosing a tire, confirm whether the car has 18-inch wheels or a staggered 19-inch or 20-inch arrangement so the front and rear fitment can be matched correctly.
245/50R18 is a metric radial size in which 245 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 50 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 18 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 2012 BMW 740i, this size serves the standard single-size setup rather than a staggered front-and-rear package. Available choices include Pro-Trac Street Pro III tires with either RWL or redline sidewall styling. This size is the right place to start when the car retains its 18-inch wheels and the same fitment is used at all four corners.
245/40R20 is a metric radial size with a 245-millimeter nominal section width, a 40-series profile, and a 20-inch rim diameter. On the 2012 BMW 740i, it serves as a front fitment in a staggered 20-inch setup, so it is paired with a different rear size rather than used on all four corners. Tire choices include blackwall performance options from BFGoodrich and Nitto, along with Pro-Trac Street Pro III in RWL and redline styles. This size matters when the car has 20-inch front wheels and the goal is to keep the proper front-to-rear stagger.
245/45R19 is a metric radial size where 245 is the nominal width in millimeters, 45 is the aspect ratio, and 19 identifies the wheel diameter. For the 2012 BMW 740i, this size is used on the front in a staggered 19-inch arrangement, so it works as part of a matched front-and-rear combination. Available products center on blackwall performance radials from BFGoodrich and Nitto across multiple series. This is the front size to evaluate when the car runs 19-inch wheels and needs the correct companion rear tire rather than a square setup.
275/35R20 is a wider metric radial size with a 275-millimeter nominal section width, a 35-series profile, and a 20-inch rim diameter. On the 2012 BMW 740i, it is the rear counterpart to the 245/40R20 front size in a staggered 20-inch package. Product choices span blackwall performance tires from BFGoodrich and Nitto as well as Pro-Trac Street Pro III options with RWL or redline sidewalls. This size should be evaluated as part of a complete 20-inch front-and-rear fitment, with attention to rear wheel width and overall vehicle setup.
275/40R19 is a metric radial size that combines a 275-millimeter nominal section width with a 40-series profile on a 19-inch wheel. On the 2012 BMW 740i, it serves as the rear tire in the staggered 19-inch configuration, paired with 245/45R19 up front. Available options focus on blackwall performance radials from BFGoodrich and Nitto, with several series available for buyers comparing tire character and specifications. This is the correct rear size to review when the car carries 19-inch staggered wheels and needs a properly matched front-and-rear combination.
Sub-model fitment on the 2012 BMW 740i varies by wheel and axle position rather than by a simple one-size-across-all-configurations approach. Checking whether the car is using the standard Base setup or a staggered front and rear arrangement is the first step before selecting a tire.
1
2012 BMW 740i Base
The 2012 BMW 740i Base uses a single radial tire size rather than a staggered front-and-rear combination. That makes the decision more straightforward, with attention shifting to sidewall style, tire series, and confirming that the car still has its 18-inch wheel setup.
The 2012 BMW 740i Base Front fitment covers the narrower front tire sizes used with the 19-inch and 20-inch staggered packages. Tire selection here should stay matched to the corresponding rear size and the actual wheel diameter on the car.
The 2012 BMW 740i Base Rear fitment uses the wider rear tire sizes associated with the 19-inch and 20-inch staggered arrangements. Choosing the rear tire means confirming both wheel diameter and the matching front size so the overall setup stays consistent.
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 2012 BMW 740i Tires for Sale
Available 2012 BMW 740i tires span Pro-Trac, BFGoodrich, and Nitto, with choices varying by size, tire series, and sidewall treatment. Depending on the fitment, buyers can compare blackwall performance radials or a more distinctive RWL or redline presentation in Street Pro III sizes.
Owners of a 2012 BMW 740i usually need to sort out wheel diameter, staggered front-and-rear sizing, and the difference between standard and optional fitments. The questions below focus on exact tire size, rim fitment, product selection, appearance, and road-use checks.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2012 BMW 740i?
The 2012 BMW 740i uses several radial tire sizes: 245/50R18, 245/45R19, 275/40R19, 245/40R20, and 275/35R20. The 18-inch setup uses 245/50R18, while the 19-inch and 20-inch setups use staggered sizing with a narrower front tire and a wider rear tire.
The important step is confirming which wheel package is actually on the car. A 19-inch or 20-inch 740i should be checked front and rear, because the front and rear sizes are different and should be matched as a set rather than selected as a single four-corner tire size.
What size rim does a 2012 BMW 740i use?
A 2012 BMW 740i uses 18-inch, 19-inch, or 20-inch rims, depending on the tire size and wheel setup. The 245/50R18 tire fits an 18-inch rim, the 245/45R19 and 275/40R19 sizes fit 19-inch rims, and the 245/40R20 and 275/35R20 sizes fit 20-inch rims.
Wheel diameter should be confirmed before any tire is selected, especially on cars that may have changed wheels over time. On staggered 19-inch or 20-inch setups, the front and rear still share the same rim diameter but use different tire widths and profiles, so both axle positions need to be checked.
Why does the 2012 BMW 740i have more than one tire size?
The 2012 BMW 740i has more than one tire size because it can be found with different wheel diameters and with either a single-size or staggered fitment. The 18-inch arrangement uses one size at all four corners, while the 19-inch and 20-inch combinations use separate front and rear sizes.
That means tire selection starts with identifying the actual wheel setup, not just the model name. A car on staggered wheels needs the correct front size and the correct rear size, and a car that has been changed from its original wheel package should be measured and checked before replacement tires are chosen.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 2012 BMW 740i tire?
Start with the exact tire size and wheel diameter on the car, then confirm whether the setup is square or staggered. After that, compare construction, sidewall style, tire series, rim-width compatibility where stated, and any load figures that apply to the size you are considering.
A standard 245/50R18 setup leaves more room to choose appearance, while 19-inch and 20-inch cars require a correctly matched front-and-rear combination. The right choice depends on whether the goal is understated blackwall presentation, a more distinctive RWL or redline look, or a particular performance-oriented tire series.
What sidewall styles are available for 2012 BMW 740i tires?
Sidewall choices for the 2012 BMW 740i include blackwall, RWL, and redline, depending on the tire size. Blackwall options appear across several BFGoodrich and Nitto performance sizes, while Pro-Trac Street Pro III adds RWL and redline versions in selected 18-inch and 20-inch fitments.
That gives the car either a more modern low-profile presentation or a more noticeable enthusiast look. The practical step is to make sure the preferred sidewall style is available in the exact size needed for the wheel package, especially on staggered setups where front and rear tires must still coordinate correctly.
What brands offer tires for the 2012 BMW 740i?
Tires for the 2012 BMW 740i are available from Pro-Trac, BFGoodrich, and Nitto. Depending on size, the selection includes Street Pro III, g-Force Comp 2 AS, g-Force Phenom T/A, g-Force Sport Comp 2, and NT555 G2 series options.
Brand choice should be considered alongside the exact fitment and the kind of presentation you want from the car. Some sizes focus on blackwall performance choices, while others also offer RWL or redline styling, so the better comparison is usually size first, then series, sidewall treatment, and wheel compatibility.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 2012 BMW 740i?
A period-style 2012 BMW 740i tire choice starts with keeping the car in its correct size and wheel configuration, whether that is 245/50R18 or one of the staggered 19-inch or 20-inch combinations. Once the fitment is settled, the visual decision shifts to blackwall for a more understated look or RWL and redline where those styles are available.
Because this is a modern luxury-performance sedan, appearance usually depends more on staying true to the wheel package and overall stance than on using a visibly vintage construction. Owners focused on exact originality should compare the current setup with vehicle-specific historical references before selecting a style-driven alternative.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 2012 BMW 740i?
Tire construction is simpler on the 2012 BMW 740i because the primary fitments are all radial. The visual difference comes less from bias-ply versus radial and more from sidewall treatment, profile, and whether the car keeps its intended 18-inch, 19-inch, or 20-inch stance.
A blackwall tire maintains a cleaner modern executive look, while RWL or redline adds a more expressive custom or enthusiast character where those options exist. On a vehicle from this era, maintaining the proper stagger and wheel diameter usually has a greater effect on appearance than changing brand alone.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2012 BMW 740i?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2012 BMW 740i. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width or offset, suspension lowering, and body or fender alterations can all change how a 245/50R18, 245/45R19, 275/40R19, 245/40R20, or 275/35R20 tire sits and clears the car.
Even when the tire size looks correct on paper, a changed setup can alter clearance at full steering lock or under suspension movement. A modified 740i should have wheel diameter, wheel width, front and rear sizing, and available clearance checked carefully before replacement tires are chosen.
What should I inspect before driving a 2012 BMW 740i on new tires?
Before driving a 2012 BMW 740i on new tires, inspect tire pressure, wheel fastener torque, visible bead seating, and the condition of the wheels themselves. It is also worth checking for any sidewall contact, uneven spacing in the wheelwell, or signs that the front and rear tires were mismatched on a staggered setup.
A short initial road test should be followed by another visual check for rubbing, air loss, or unusual handling. On a luxury sedan with multiple wheel packages, confirming that the correct front and rear sizes were installed is just as important as the condition of the tires themselves.
What should I check before a longer drive in a 2012 BMW 740i?
Before a longer drive, check tire pressure, tread condition, and the sidewalls for cracking, bulges, or cuts. A 2012 BMW 740i should also be inspected for even wear across all four tires, and staggered 19-inch or 20-inch setups should be verified to make sure the correct front and rear sizes remain in place.
Longer trips put more emphasis on stability, load support, and heat management, so tire age and overall condition matter even when tread depth appears acceptable. It also helps to confirm that the suspension is in sound condition and that no wheel damage or slow air loss has developed since the last inspection.
