The 2015 BMW i3 arrived with a very different approach to urban mobility, pairing lightweight construction and a distinctive electric-first design with unusually tall, narrow tires. That unusual stance is part of what makes i3 tire selection more exacting than it appears at a glance. This model uses four radial tire sizes across 19-inch and 20-inch wheel packages: 155/70R19, 155/60R20, 175/55R20, and 175/60R19. Front and rear fitments are different, and wheel diameter matters just as much as the tire size itself. For an i3 owner, the real priority is matching the correct front or rear size to the actual wheel setup before comparing tire choices.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2015 BMW i3
The 2015 BMW i3 uses four primary tire sizes, and the right one depends first on whether the car has 19-inch or 20-inch wheels and whether you are fitting the front or rear axle. This is a radial-only fitment, with narrower front sizes and wider rear sizes, so confirming the exact wheel position and rim diameter is the starting point before selecting a tire.
Fit(s): Base, Base Front, and Range Extender Front
Construction: Radial|Rim: 19 in
155/70R19 is a metric radial size with a 155-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series profile, and a fitment for a 19-inch rim. On the 2015 BMW i3, this is one of the front tire sizes and belongs to the car’s narrow, efficiency-focused tire layout. Its tall profile works within the i3’s distinctive wheel-and-tire proportions rather than following a conventional compact-car sizing approach. This is the size to use when the car has the 19-inch front wheel setup, so wheel diameter and front axle position both need to be confirmed before replacement.
155/60R20 is a metric radial size that keeps the same 155-millimeter nominal width as the 19-inch front tire but changes the profile to 60-series for use on a 20-inch rim. For the 2015 BMW i3, this size serves the front position on the 20-inch wheel package. It preserves the i3’s unusually narrow front-tire presentation while matching the larger wheel diameter. This is the correct direction to evaluate when the car is equipped with 20-inch front wheels, and it should not be confused with the rear fitment simply because the overall tire proportions are similarly tall.
175/55R20 is a metric radial size with a 175-millimeter nominal section width, a 55-series profile, and a 20-inch rim fitment. On the 2015 BMW i3, this is the rear tire size used with the 20-inch wheel package, giving the rear axle a wider footprint than the front. That front-to-rear stagger is part of the i3’s intended setup, so this size should be evaluated specifically as a rear application rather than as a general 20-inch option. It becomes the relevant choice only after confirming that the car has 20-inch rear wheels.
175/60R19 is a metric radial size that combines a 175-millimeter nominal section width with a 60-series profile on a 19-inch rim. For the 2015 BMW i3, it serves as the rear tire size when the car uses the 19-inch wheel package. Like the 20-inch rear fitment, it is wider than the matching front tire, which means front and rear positions are not interchangeable even when the overall diameter is close. This is the size to match when replacing tires on an i3 with 19-inch rear wheels and the original staggered layout.
Sub-model fitment on the 2015 BMW i3 is straightforward once the car’s wheel diameter and axle position are identified. The main distinction is not trim hierarchy but whether the tire is for the front or rear, and whether the car is on 19-inch or 20-inch wheels.
1
2015 BMW i3 Base
The 2015 BMW i3 Base appears with a 155/70R19 radial fitment in this configuration. That makes the key next step confirming whether the car is being matched as a general Base listing or by its specific front and rear wheel positions before selecting a replacement tire.
The 2015 BMW i3 Base Front uses either 155/70R19 or 155/60R20, depending on whether the car has 19-inch or 20-inch front wheels. Tire selection starts with verifying wheel diameter, since both sizes are narrow front radials but they are built for different rim diameters.
The 2015 BMW i3 Base Rear uses either 175/60R19 or 175/55R20, again depending on the wheel package. The rear fitment is wider than the front, so choosing the correct rear tire means confirming both axle position and rim diameter rather than matching by appearance alone.
The 2015 BMW i3 Range Extender Front uses the same front tire sizes as the Base Front: 155/70R19 or 155/60R20. That keeps tire selection centered on the actual wheel diameter installed on the car, with the front axle designation remaining just as important as the size itself.
The 2015 BMW i3 Range Extender Rear follows the same rear-size pattern as the Base Rear, using either 175/60R19 or 175/55R20. For replacement, the practical concern is confirming which rear wheel package is on the car so the tire matches the intended staggered front-to-rear setup.
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
Tire questions on a 2015 BMW i3 usually come down to front-versus-rear sizing, 19-inch versus 20-inch wheels, and understanding the car’s narrow staggered radial fitment. These FAQs focus on exact size matching, wheel confirmation, appearance of the size codes, and practical road-use checks.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2015 BMW i3?
A 2015 BMW i3 uses four radial tire sizes: 155/70R19, 155/60R20, 175/60R19, and 175/55R20. The front tires are the narrower 155-section sizes, while the rear tires are the wider 175-section sizes, and the exact fitment depends on whether the car has 19-inch or 20-inch wheels.
The key is to identify both axle position and wheel diameter before choosing a replacement. A front tire is not the same as a rear tire on the i3, and a 19-inch size should not be substituted for a 20-inch size simply because the tires have similar overall proportions.
What size rim does a 2015 BMW i3 use?
The 2015 BMW i3 uses either 19-inch or 20-inch rims, depending on the tire and wheel package on the car. The 155/70R19 and 175/60R19 sizes are for 19-inch rims, while 155/60R20 and 175/55R20 are for 20-inch rims.
Rim diameter is the first thing to confirm before ordering tires, especially on an i3 because both 19-inch and 20-inch fitments were used. Checking the tire sidewall and the actual wheel setup helps avoid mixing sizes that may look similar in shape but are made for different rim diameters.
Why does the 2015 BMW i3 have more than one tire size?
The 2015 BMW i3 has more than one tire size because it uses a staggered setup with narrower front tires and wider rear tires, and it was also fitted with either 19-inch or 20-inch wheel packages. That creates four primary sizes across the model range rather than one universal fitment.
This means the correct tire cannot be chosen by model year alone. The buyer needs to confirm whether the tire is for the front or rear axle and whether the car is on 19-inch or 20-inch wheels, since those two details determine which of the four radial sizes belongs on the car.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 2015 BMW i3 tire?
Start with the exact tire size and wheel position, because the 2015 BMW i3 uses different front and rear sizes and two rim diameters. A 155-section front tire and a 175-section rear tire serve different roles, so the selection process begins with matching the car’s actual wheel package correctly.
After that, compare the tire as a front or rear application rather than as a general i3 fitment. It is also wise to verify the existing wheel setup if the car has had any wheel changes, since the i3’s narrow, tall tire proportions make exact size and rim matching more important than on many conventional vehicles.
How do I choose between the available 2015 BMW i3 tire sizes?
The available sizes are not alternatives in the usual sense; each one corresponds to a specific front or rear position and to either a 19-inch or 20-inch rim. On a 2015 BMW i3, the correct choice comes from the car’s installed wheel package, not from a preference for one size over another.
That makes the sidewall information on the current tire especially useful when replacing a single tire or a pair. Matching the existing front or rear size, checking the wheel diameter, and keeping the intended staggered setup intact are the practical steps that help avoid fitment mistakes.
What does 155/70R19 mean on a 2015 BMW i3?
On a 2015 BMW i3, 155/70R19 is a metric radial tire size. The 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.
Understanding the size code helps when comparing it to the i3’s other front and rear fitments. A size like 155/70R19 is tied to both a specific wheel diameter and a specific tire profile, so it should be matched carefully rather than treated as interchangeable with another narrow i3 size.
Restoration & Appearance
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 2015 BMW i3 restoration?
Yes, correct tire fitment matters on a 2015 BMW i3 because the car’s appearance is closely tied to its tall, narrow tire proportions and staggered front-to-rear layout. Using the proper front and rear sizes preserves the visual balance that makes the i3 look like an i3 rather than a conventional hatchback.
For a restoration-minded project or careful preservation effort, matching the installed wheel diameter is just as important as matching the section width. Keeping the correct 19-inch or 20-inch front and rear combination helps maintain the car’s intended stance and avoids visual or fitment compromises.
How does tire sizing affect the appearance of a restored 2015 BMW i3?
Tire sizing has a noticeable effect on a restored 2015 BMW i3 because the car was designed around narrow tires with relatively tall overall proportions. The visual character comes from that unusual combination, with a slimmer front tire and a wider rear tire working together as part of the car’s distinctive silhouette.
Changing away from the correct front or rear size can alter the stance and make the wheel-and-tire package look out of character. Anyone aiming for an authentic presentation should begin by confirming whether the car carries the 19-inch or 20-inch setup and then match the appropriate front and rear sizes.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2015 BMW i3?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 2015 BMW i3, especially if the car has aftermarket wheels, altered suspension height, or changes to wheel width. Because the i3 already uses narrow, application-specific front and rear sizes, even modest setup changes can complicate tire selection.
A modified car should be checked for actual wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at both the front and rear before replacement tires are chosen. Steering clearance and body clearance both matter, particularly when moving between 19-inch and 20-inch wheel packages or replacing only one axle.
What should I inspect before driving a 2015 BMW i3 on new tires?
Before driving a 2015 BMW i3 on new tires, inspect that the correct size is mounted in the correct position, front or rear, and confirm that the wheel diameter matches the tire size. It is also wise to check inflation pressure, valve condition, and whether each tire seats properly on the rim.
A short visual inspection for sidewall damage, tread defects, or unusual rubbing is especially important after installation. On an i3, a brief low-speed check for clearance and normal steering feel can help confirm that the front and rear tires were matched correctly to the car’s staggered setup.
How often should tires on a 2015 BMW i3 be inspected?
Tires on a 2015 BMW i3 should be inspected regularly, with pressure and visible condition checked often and a more careful inspection performed before longer trips or after the car has sat for extended periods. Narrow specialty fitments deserve close attention because wear or damage can be easy to overlook.
Look for cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, and slow air loss, and compare the front and rear tires separately since they are different sizes. A collector-owned or lightly used i3 also benefits from storage away from prolonged sun, heat, and moisture so the tires age as evenly as possible.
