The 2014 BMW i3 arrived as a very different kind of BMW, pairing a lightweight carbon-fiber passenger cell with a narrow-tire, efficiency-focused approach that stood apart from conventional luxury hatchbacks. Its distinctive stance and staggered tire layout are a major part of how the car looks and drives, so tire selection on this model is more specific than on many modern vehicles. The 2014 BMW i3 uses four primary radial sizes across 19-inch and 20-inch wheel setups: 155/70R19, 175/60R19, 155/60R20, and 175/55R20. The key decision is matching front versus rear position and confirming whether the car is on 19-inch or 20-inch wheels before comparing tire options for road use, maintenance, and appearance.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2014 BMW i3
The 2014 BMW i3 uses four primary tire sizes, and the correct choice depends first on wheel diameter and then on whether the tire is for the front or rear axle. This is a staggered radial fitment, with narrower front sizes and wider rear sizes offered in both 19-inch and 20-inch versions. Before selecting a tire, confirm whether the car has 19-inch or 20-inch wheels and match the tire to the correct axle position.
Fit(s): Base, Base Front, and Range Extender Front
Construction: Radial|Rim: 19 in
155/70R19 is a metric radial size in which 155 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 19 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 2014 BMW i3, this size is used on the front with the 19-inch wheel setup and reflects the model’s narrow, low-drag tire strategy. Its relatively tall sidewall compared with the 20-inch front option gives it a distinct place within the i3 fitment range. Choose this size when the car is equipped with 19-inch front wheels and the goal is to stay with the proper front-axle sizing.
155/60R20 is a metric radial size that keeps the same 155-millimeter nominal section width as the 19-inch front tire but pairs it with a lower 60-series profile on a 20-inch rim. For the 2014 BMW i3, this is the front tire size used with the 20-inch wheel package, so wheel diameter confirmation is essential before selection. Its shorter sidewall changes the fitment profile without changing the tire’s front-position role within the staggered setup. This size should be evaluated only for a 20-inch front application, not as a general substitute across all i3 configurations.
175/55R20 is a metric radial size with a 175-millimeter nominal section width, a 55-series profile, and a 20-inch rim diameter. On the 2014 BMW i3, this is the rear tire size paired with the 20-inch wheel configuration, giving the rear axle a wider footprint than the front. That front-to-rear difference is an important part of the i3’s staggered fitment and should not be overlooked when replacing tires. This size belongs on the rear of a 20-inch setup, so confirm both axle position and wheel diameter before making a selection.
175/60R19 is a metric radial size in which 175 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 60 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 19 is the rim diameter in inches. For the 2014 BMW i3, it serves as the rear tire size when the car is equipped with 19-inch wheels, complementing the narrower 155/70R19 front tire. The wider rear sizing is part of the model’s staggered layout, so it should be matched carefully to the correct axle. Use this size when the i3 has 19-inch rear wheels and the existing wheel setup is being retained.
Sub-model fitment on the 2014 BMW i3 is tied closely to axle position and wheel diameter rather than a single across-the-board size. Checking whether the car is a Base or Range Extender and confirming front versus rear placement helps prevent mixing the narrow front and wider rear tire sizes.
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2014 BMW i3 Base
The 2014 BMW i3 Base is associated with the 155/70R19 radial size, reflecting the 19-inch fitment used on this model. Tire selection still benefits from confirming the actual wheel setup on the car, especially if wheels have been changed or if axle-specific sizing is being replaced.
The 2014 BMW i3 Base Front uses the narrow front tire sizes offered for either 19-inch or 20-inch wheels. The practical step here is confirming wheel diameter first, then selecting the correct front-only size rather than assuming one front tire works across both wheel packages.
The 2014 BMW i3 Base Rear uses the wider rear tire sizes matched to either 19-inch or 20-inch wheels. That means rear-tire selection should stay specific to the installed wheel diameter and should not be mixed with the narrower front sizing.
The 2014 BMW i3 Range Extender Front follows the same front-position tire logic, using the narrow front radial size for either a 19-inch or 20-inch setup. Choosing correctly comes down to verifying the wheel diameter and staying with the proper front-axle fitment.
The 2014 BMW i3 Range Extender Rear uses the wider rear radial size paired to the car’s 19-inch or 20-inch wheel package. Rear replacement should be handled as an axle-specific fitment decision, with wheel diameter confirmed before comparing tires.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
BMW i3 owners usually need to sort out axle position, 19-inch versus 20-inch wheel diameter, and the model’s staggered radial sizing before choosing tires. These FAQs focus on exact size fitment, rim match, selection strategy, and practical checks before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2014 BMW i3?
The 2014 BMW i3 uses four primary tire sizes: 155/70R19, 175/60R19, 155/60R20, and 175/55R20. The fitment is staggered, which means the front and rear do not use the same size, and the correct tire also depends on whether the car has 19-inch or 20-inch wheels.
The first check is wheel diameter, followed by axle position. A 19-inch front tire is not the same as a 20-inch front tire, and the wider rear sizes should not be confused with the narrower front sizes. If the car has had wheels changed at any point, verify the wheel markings before selecting replacement tires.
What size rim does a 2014 BMW i3 use?
The 2014 BMW i3 uses either 19-inch or 20-inch rims, depending on the wheel setup. The 19-inch fitment pairs 155/70R19 in front with 175/60R19 in the rear, while the 20-inch fitment pairs 155/60R20 in front with 175/55R20 in the rear.
Rim diameter is the key starting point because the i3 does not use one universal wheel size across all configurations. Confirm the actual wheel on the car rather than relying on appearance alone, then match front and rear tires to that diameter. This is especially important on vehicles that may have changed wheels during previous ownership.
Do all 2014 BMW i3 sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 2014 BMW i3 family uses more than one tire size, and the fitment varies by wheel diameter and axle position. Base and Range Extender versions both use narrow front sizes and wider rear sizes, with separate combinations for 19-inch and 20-inch wheel setups.
That means the sub-model name alone is not always enough to choose a tire. It is important to confirm whether the replacement is for the front or rear and whether the car is equipped with 19-inch or 20-inch wheels. On a staggered layout like the i3, those details matter more than assuming all versions share one universal fitment.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 2014 BMW i3?
Start with the exact size required for the car’s wheel diameter and axle position. The 2014 BMW i3 uses a staggered radial setup, so front and rear tires differ, and 19-inch and 20-inch wheels use different sizes even when the front tire width appears similar.
After confirming the correct size, consider how the car is actually used and whether the wheel setup remains original. A front 155 size and a rear 175 size serve different roles on this vehicle, so mixing positions can create avoidable fitment problems. Checking the tire sidewall and wheel markings before purchase helps keep the replacement aligned with the car’s actual setup.
How do I choose between the available tires for a 2014 BMW i3?
The most important choice is not between styles or constructions, but between the exact front or rear size required for the car’s 19-inch or 20-inch wheels. Since every primary fitment for the 2014 BMW i3 is radial, the selection process begins with size accuracy and position on the car.
Use the existing tire and wheel as a starting reference, then confirm that the replacement matches the proper axle and rim diameter. On a staggered setup, even small size differences can place the wrong tire on the wrong end of the car. Keeping the tire matched to the wheel package is more important here than treating the i3 like a conventional same-size four-corner fitment.
Why does the 2014 BMW i3 have more than one tire size?
The 2014 BMW i3 uses more than one tire size because it has a staggered layout and was offered with both 19-inch and 20-inch wheel setups. That creates one narrow front size and one wider rear size for each wheel diameter, resulting in four primary sizes across the model range.
This matters because tire replacement on an i3 is more position-specific than on many modern cars. A buyer needs to know whether the tire is for the front or rear and whether the car is on 19-inch or 20-inch wheels. Once those two details are confirmed, the correct primary size becomes much easier to identify.
Restoration & Appearance
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 2014 BMW i3 restoration or preservation project?
Yes. The 2014 BMW i3 has a very specific narrow-tire, staggered layout that contributes heavily to its visual character and engineering intent. Using the proper front and rear sizes for the installed 19-inch or 20-inch wheels helps preserve the car’s distinctive proportions rather than making it look generically modernized.
For an owner focused on preservation, the first goal is keeping the correct axle-specific sizing in place. Tire choice on this model is less about vintage sidewall treatments and more about maintaining the original stance and wheel relationship. Before replacing anything, confirm what is already on the car so the next set continues the same overall presentation.
How does tire sizing affect the appearance of a 2014 BMW i3?
Tire sizing has a strong effect on the 2014 BMW i3 because the car was designed around very narrow tires and a clearly staggered front-to-rear setup. The visual balance of the i3 depends on that relationship, with slimmer front tires and wider rear tires paired to either 19-inch or 20-inch wheels.
Replacing tires with the correct position-specific sizes helps the car retain its intended profile and avoids an uneven or mismatched look. Even when two sizes share a similar overall diameter, the difference in width and rim diameter still affects appearance. Owners who care about preserving the i3’s design language should verify both axle placement and wheel size before purchasing tires.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2014 BMW i3?
Yes. Any change to wheel diameter, wheel width, offset, ride height, or suspension condition can affect tire fitment on a 2014 BMW i3. Because the car already uses narrow, staggered tires in specific front and rear sizes, even modest changes can alter clearance or move the fitment away from the intended wheel-and-tire relationship.
A modified i3 should be checked carefully before replacement tires are chosen. Wheel markings, front and rear tire sizes, and visible clearance around suspension and bodywork are all worth confirming. On this model, assuming the car still matches its original wheel package can lead to the wrong choice, especially if a previous owner changed wheels or suspension components.
What should I inspect before driving a 2014 BMW i3 on new tires?
Before driving a 2014 BMW i3 on new tires, inspect that each tire is mounted in the correct front or rear position and matched to the proper 19-inch or 20-inch wheel. It is also smart to check inflation pressure, valve condition, tread seating, and basic clearance around fenders, suspension parts, and steering components.
A short initial drive should be followed by another visual inspection. Look for uneven seating, rubbing marks, unusual air loss, or any sign that a front tire and rear tire may have been mixed. Since the i3 uses a staggered setup, correct placement matters just as much as the tire size itself when preparing the car for regular road use.
How often should tires on a 2014 BMW i3 be inspected?
Tires on a 2014 BMW i3 should be inspected regularly, especially because many examples see low annual mileage or intermittent use. Frequent checks for air pressure, tread wear, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and embedded damage are worthwhile, and any car that sits for extended periods benefits from closer attention before returning to normal driving.
The i3’s narrow, staggered tire setup makes condition checks more important than simply assuming the tires look acceptable at a glance. Front and rear wear can differ, and an older low-mileage tire may still need replacement if age or storage has affected it. A quick inspection before longer drives is a sensible habit on a collector-minded or lightly used example.
