The 2016 BMW i3 arrived as one of the most unconventional production cars of its era, blending a lightweight electric-focused design with tall, narrow tires chosen to support efficiency and low rolling resistance. That unusual approach means tire selection on a 2016 BMW i3 is more specific than it is on many modern cars. This model uses four radial tire sizes across 19-inch and 20-inch wheel setups, with narrower front and wider rear fitments. The real decision is confirming wheel diameter and front-versus-rear position, then choosing the right metric radial size for your exact i3 configuration. Getting that right matters for appearance, drivability, and proper clearance.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2016 BMW i3
The 2016 BMW i3 uses four primary tire sizes, and the right one depends first on wheel diameter and whether the tire is for the front or rear axle. Both 19-inch and 20-inch radial setups appear on this model, with narrower front sizes and wider rear sizes. Before choosing a tire, confirm the actual wheel package on the car and match the correct front or rear size rather than treating all i3 fitments as interchangeable.
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 section width, a 70-series aspect ratio, and fitment for a 19-inch rim. On the 2016 BMW i3, this size serves as a narrow front fitment on 19-inch wheel setups and reflects the i3's distinctive tall-and-slim tire approach. Its dimensions keep the tire profile relatively tall while maintaining a modest footprint width. This is the size to evaluate when the car has 19-inch front wheels, especially if the goal is to preserve the intended front-end fitment and axle-specific sizing strategy.
155/60R20 is a metric radial size that combines a 155-millimeter section width with a lower 60-series profile on a 20-inch rim. On the 2016 BMW i3, it is used as the front tire size for 20-inch wheel configurations, keeping the same narrow front tire concept with a shorter sidewall than the 19-inch version. That makes wheel diameter confirmation especially important before replacement. Choose this size only when the car is equipped with the 20-inch front wheel package and the front axle requires the corresponding low-profile fitment.
175/55R20 is a metric radial size with a 175-millimeter section width, a 55-series profile, and a 20-inch rim diameter. On the 2016 BMW i3, this is a rear fitment for 20-inch wheel setups, giving the back of the car a wider tire than the front while staying within the i3's narrow-tire design philosophy. The wider section helps distinguish it clearly from the front size, so position matters as much as diameter. This is the rear size to use when the i3 has 20-inch wheels and retains its staggered front-to-rear sizing.
175/60R19 is a metric radial size that pairs a 175-millimeter section width with a 60-series aspect ratio for a 19-inch wheel. On the 2016 BMW i3, it serves as the rear tire size for 19-inch wheel configurations, again wider than the front size used on the same diameter wheel. That front-to-rear distinction is central to correct i3 tire selection, since the car does not use the same size at all four corners on these staggered setups. This is the size to confirm when replacing rear tires on an i3 equipped with 19-inch wheels.
Sub-model fitment on the 2016 BMW i3 depends less on trim naming than on wheel diameter and front-versus-rear position. Checking the exact sub-model description still matters, because some entries reflect a single overall fitment while others separate the car into axle-specific front and rear sizes.
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2016 BMW i3 Base
The 2016 BMW i3 Base is associated with the 155/70R19 radial size in this fitment grouping. That makes it a useful starting point for a 19-inch setup, but the actual wheel position on the car should still be confirmed before replacement when the vehicle uses separate front and rear sizing.
The 2016 BMW i3 Base Front uses the narrower front tire sizes for either 19-inch or 20-inch wheel packages. Tire selection here starts with confirming wheel diameter, then matching the correct front radial size rather than using the wider rear fitment.
The 2016 BMW i3 Base Rear uses the wider rear tire sizes tied to either 19-inch or 20-inch wheel configurations. Rear replacement means confirming the installed wheel diameter and keeping the axle-specific width difference that separates the i3's rear fitment from the front.
The 2016 BMW i3 Range Extender Front follows the same narrow front-tire pattern used on 19-inch and 20-inch wheel packages. The important choice is not trim level alone, but whether the car has 19-inch or 20-inch front wheels so the correct radial size can be matched.
The 2016 BMW i3 Range Extender Rear uses the wider rear radial sizes associated with the two available wheel diameters. Matching the rear tire correctly means confirming both position and rim size, since the i3's staggered layout should not be treated as a same-size 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
These FAQs focus on the exact tire sizes used on the 2016 BMW i3, including front and rear fitment differences, 19-inch versus 20-inch wheel setups, and the practical checks that matter before replacement or road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2016 BMW i3?
The 2016 BMW i3 uses four radial tire sizes: 155/70R19, 155/60R20, 175/55R20, and 175/60R19. The narrower 155-width sizes are used at the front, while the wider 175-width sizes are used at the rear, with fitment split between 19-inch and 20-inch wheel packages.
The correct choice depends on two things before anything else: wheel diameter and axle position. A front i3 tire is not the same as a rear i3 tire, and a 19-inch setup is not the same as a 20-inch setup. Check the existing tire size on the vehicle and confirm the wheel diameter before replacing a single tire or a full set.
What size rim does a 2016 BMW i3 use?
The 2016 BMW i3 uses either 19-inch or 20-inch rims, depending on the wheel package. The 155/70R19 and 175/60R19 sizes fit 19-inch rims, while the 155/60R20 and 175/55R20 sizes fit 20-inch rims.
Rim diameter is the first fitment check because the i3 uses two different wheel sizes across its model range. Once diameter is confirmed, the next step is matching the correct front or rear tire. The tire size molded into the current sidewall is often the fastest way to verify both details on a car that may already have replacement wheels or past tire changes.
Why does the 2016 BMW i3 have more than one tire size?
The 2016 BMW i3 has more than one tire size because it appears with both 19-inch and 20-inch wheel packages, and it also uses different front and rear sizes. Front tires are narrower than rear tires, so the i3 does not use one universal size across every configuration.
That means a quick trim lookup is not always enough by itself. Owners should verify whether the tire being replaced is on the front or rear axle and whether the car has 19-inch or 20-inch wheels. On a staggered setup like this, using the wrong width or wrong rim diameter can create fitment issues and upset the intended tire layout.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 2016 BMW i3 tire?
Start with the exact size already assigned to the car's wheel diameter and axle position. A 2016 BMW i3 may need 155/70R19 or 155/60R20 at the front, or 175/60R19 or 175/55R20 at the rear, so the first job is matching the vehicle's existing setup correctly.
After size is confirmed, compare the tire's role on the car rather than shopping by diameter alone. The i3's narrow front and wider rear arrangement is part of its overall fitment strategy. Checking the current sidewall markings, wheel size, and front-versus-rear placement helps prevent buying a tire that matches one corner of the car but not the one being replaced.
How do I choose between the available 19-inch and 20-inch tires for a 2016 BMW i3?
The right choice is determined by the wheel diameter already on the vehicle, not by preference alone. A 2016 BMW i3 with 19-inch wheels uses 155/70R19 at the front and 175/60R19 at the rear, while a 20-inch setup uses 155/60R20 front and 175/55R20 rear.
That means the decision begins at the wheel, not the tire rack. Measure or confirm the rim diameter and then match the tire to the correct axle position. Because the i3's 19-inch and 20-inch sizes are close in overall diameter but different in rim fitment and profile, they should never be treated as interchangeable without the proper wheels.
Should I replace all four tires on a 2016 BMW i3 with the same size?
The 2016 BMW i3 uses a staggered arrangement, so it should not be assumed to use the same tire size at all four corners. Front sizes are 155-width tires and rear sizes are 175-width tires, with the exact combination depending on whether the car has 19-inch or 20-inch wheels.
Uniform replacement only makes sense when the exact vehicle setup supports it, and this model's common fitment pattern separates front from rear. Before ordering a full set, compare the sidewall markings on every corner and confirm that the wheels themselves match front to rear. That extra check matters on any car that may have had previous tire rotation, wheel swaps, or mixed replacements.
Restoration & Appearance
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 2016 BMW i3 restoration or preservation project?
Yes. The 2016 BMW i3 uses unusually narrow, tall-profile metric radial tires that are part of the car's distinctive visual character as well as its fitment layout. Keeping the correct front and rear sizing helps preserve the proportions BMW built into the i3's wheel-and-tire presentation.
For a preservation-minded owner, matching the proper 19-inch or 20-inch axle-specific sizes is more important than trying to generalize from another modern BMW. The i3's appearance depends heavily on its specialized tire dimensions. If originality matters beyond simple fitment, compare the car's current setup with window-sticker, delivery, or marque-specific reference material before making a visual change.
How does tire sizing affect the appearance of a 2016 BMW i3?
Tire sizing has a strong effect on the look of a 2016 BMW i3 because the car was designed around tall, narrow radials rather than conventional wide modern tires. The front-to-rear width difference and the choice of 19-inch or 20-inch wheels both shape the i3's distinctive stance.
Using the correct size helps the car retain the balanced proportions intended by its original wheel package. A mismatch between front and rear sizes, or between 19-inch and 20-inch fitment, can change the visual relationship between tire, wheel, and body. For owners focused on maintaining the i3's design character, proper axle-specific sizing is a key part of the overall presentation.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2016 BMW i3?
Yes. Any change to wheel diameter, wheel width, offset, suspension height, or body clearance can affect tire fitment on a 2016 BMW i3. Because the i3 already uses narrow front tires, wider rear tires, and two possible rim diameters, even small changes can complicate replacement selection.
A modified i3 should be checked carefully before ordering tires by size alone. Confirm the actual wheel dimensions on the car, verify front and rear positions, and inspect clearance at full steering lock and normal ride height. Those checks matter even more when the car has aftermarket wheels, lowered suspension, or prior changes that no longer match the original wheel-and-tire package.
What should I inspect before driving a 2016 BMW i3 on new tires?
Before regular road use, inspect the new tires for the correct size at each corner, proper seating on the rim, and adequate clearance around suspension and body components. On a 2016 BMW i3, that means confirming the correct front-versus-rear placement along with the correct 19-inch or 20-inch rim match.
It also helps to check inflation pressure, valve condition, and whether any existing wheel damage could affect sealing or balance. A short test drive followed by another visual inspection can reveal rubbing, vibration, or unexpected contact points. On a car with staggered sizing like the i3, a final double-check of every sidewall marking is worth the extra minute.
How often should tires on a 2016 BMW i3 be inspected?
Tires on a 2016 BMW i3 should be inspected regularly, not just when tread looks worn. Frequent checks for air loss, uneven wear, sidewall damage, cuts, bulges, and age-related cracking are especially important on a vehicle that may see shorter trips, urban use, or long periods of sitting between drives.
A good routine is to look over the tires monthly and again before any longer trip. Pay special attention to matching front and rear sizes correctly after any service work, since the i3 does not use the same tire size at every corner. If wear patterns look unusual, inspect alignment, wheel condition, and suspension components before putting on more miles.
