The 2017 BMW i3 arrived as a very different kind of BMW, blending lightweight construction, city-friendly packaging, and an unmistakably narrow-tire stance that became part of the car’s identity. For owners, tire choice matters because the i3 does not use conventional mainstream sizing, and the fitment changes between 19-inch and 20-inch wheel setups as well as front and rear positions. This model uses radial tires in four exact sizes: 155/70R19, 175/60R19, 155/60R20, and 175/55R20. That makes the real decision less about experimenting and more about confirming wheel diameter, axle position, and sub-model fitment before choosing the right road-use or replacement tire.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 2017 BMW i3
The 2017 BMW i3 uses four primary tire sizes, and selecting the right one starts with confirming both wheel diameter and whether the tire is for the front or rear axle. All of these fitments are radial, but the car’s staggered sizing means front and rear tires are not the same, and 19-inch and 20-inch setups use different combinations. Identifying the exact sub-model position is the first step before comparing tire choices.
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 2017 BMW i3, this size serves as a narrow front fitment for 19-inch wheel applications and reflects the car’s low-rolling-resistance, efficiency-focused tire strategy. Its role is tied to the front axle rather than a full vehicle set. That makes wheel diameter and tire position especially important before replacement, particularly on cars that may have changed wheels over time.
155/60R20 follows the same metric radial format, with a 155-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series profile, radial construction, and a 20-inch rim diameter. This is the narrow front tire size used on 20-inch wheel configurations for the 2017 BMW i3. Compared with the 19-inch front fitment, the key distinction is not just profile but the required rim diameter. It should be evaluated as a front-position tire for the correct wheel setup, not as a general substitute across all i3 configurations.
175/55R20 is a metric radial size that uses a 175-millimeter nominal section width, a 55-series profile, and a 20-inch rim. On the 2017 BMW i3, this size belongs on the rear axle of 20-inch wheel setups, where the wider section supports the car’s staggered front-to-rear fitment. Its purpose is different from the narrow 20-inch front tire, so it should not be chosen by wheel diameter alone. Rear-position confirmation is essential, especially on a vehicle as tire-specific as the i3.
175/60R19 is a metric radial size with a 175-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series profile, radial construction, and a 19-inch rim diameter. This is the rear tire size paired with the 19-inch front fitment on the 2017 BMW i3, giving the car its staggered 19-inch setup. The wider rear size is part of the intended front-to-rear balance and should be selected as a rear application, not simply as another 19-inch option. Buyers should confirm both axle position and wheel diameter before replacing a tire.
Tire fitment on the 2017 BMW i3 depends on both sub-model position and wheel package, because front and rear sizes differ and the car was fitted with either 19-inch or 20-inch wheels. Checking the exact front or rear sub-model designation prevents ordering the right diameter in the wrong width or profile.
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2017 BMW i3 Base
The 2017 BMW i3 Base is associated with the 155/70R19 radial size in this fitment grouping. That makes 19-inch wheel confirmation important before selection, especially if the car no longer wears its original wheel setup.
The 2017 BMW i3 Base Front uses the narrow front tire sizes tied to either the 19-inch or 20-inch wheel package. Tire choice here begins with confirming wheel diameter, since both front sizes are correct only for their respective wheel setups.
The 2017 BMW i3 Base Rear uses the wider rear tire sizes, again split between 19-inch and 20-inch applications. Rear replacement should match the proper wheel diameter and preserve the intended staggered fitment rather than treating the i3 like a same-size four-corner setup.
The 2017 BMW i3 Range Extender Front shares the same front-size pattern as the standard car, with one size for 19-inch wheels and another for 20-inch wheels. Selecting the correct tire means verifying the installed wheel package first, then matching the front position specifically.
The 2017 BMW i3 Range Extender Rear follows the same staggered rear fitment approach, using a wider rear size matched to either 19-inch or 20-inch wheels. Rear tire selection should keep the correct axle-specific size in place and account for any wheel changes made by a previous owner.
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
Owners usually want to confirm the exact front and rear tire sizes first, then sort out 19-inch versus 20-inch wheel fitment. The questions below focus on axle-specific sizing, wheel compatibility, replacement choices, and the checks worth making before putting an i3 back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 2017 BMW i3?
The 2017 BMW i3 uses four primary tire sizes: 155/70R19, 175/60R19, 155/60R20, and 175/55R20. The narrow 155-section tires are front fitments, while the wider 175-section tires are rear fitments. All four sizes are radial, and they are split between 19-inch and 20-inch wheel packages.
That means the right answer depends on more than the model year alone. The first thing to verify is whether the car has 19-inch or 20-inch wheels, and the second is whether the tire being replaced is on the front or rear axle. Because the i3 uses a staggered setup, choosing by rim diameter alone can still lead to the wrong size.
What size rim does a 2017 BMW i3 use?
The 2017 BMW i3 uses either 19-inch or 20-inch rims, depending on the wheel package. The 19-inch tires are 155/70R19 in front and 175/60R19 in the rear, while the 20-inch tires are 155/60R20 in front and 175/55R20 in the rear. All of these are radial fitments.
Wheel diameter is the first fitment checkpoint on this car because the i3 was built around very specific narrow-tire dimensions. After confirming 19 or 20 inches, check whether the replacement is for the front or rear, since the widths and profiles are different. Cars with aftermarket wheels should be measured rather than assumed to still follow the original setup.
Do all 2017 BMW i3 sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 2017 BMW i3 uses different tire sizes by axle position and wheel package, so the fitment is not the same across every sub-model entry. Front applications use either 155/70R19 or 155/60R20, while rear applications use either 175/60R19 or 175/55R20. Range Extender and Base front and rear entries follow the same staggered pattern.
That makes the sub-model label important, especially where front and rear are separated. A buyer should match the tire to the correct axle first, then confirm whether the car carries 19-inch or 20-inch wheels. This matters even more on used i3s, where a previous owner may have changed wheel sets or replaced only part of the original tire package.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 2017 BMW i3 tire?
The main factors are exact tire size, front or rear position, and wheel diameter. A 2017 BMW i3 does not use one universal four-corner size, so the correct choice starts with matching the installed 19-inch or 20-inch wheel setup and then selecting the proper front or rear tire. All primary fitments are radial.
Beyond size, compare the tire’s intended use with how the car is actually driven. A city-driven i3, a low-mileage weekend car, and a daily commuter may have different replacement priorities even within the same size. It also helps to inspect the other axle before purchase, since uneven replacement can leave the car with mismatched diameters or worn companion tires.
How do I choose between the available 2017 BMW i3 tire sizes?
The available sizes are not interchangeable options to mix and match by preference. Each one belongs to a specific role: front or rear, and 19-inch or 20-inch wheel setup. The 155 sizes are front tires, while the 175 sizes are rear tires, and the final number in each size identifies the required rim diameter.
Selection starts at the car, not the catalog. Check the existing tire sidewall, confirm the wheel diameter, and verify whether the tire being replaced is mounted on the front or rear. That approach is especially important on the i3 because its narrow, staggered fitment is central to the car’s design and leaves less room for casual substitution.
What rim-fitment details matter when choosing tires for a 2017 BMW i3?
Rim diameter matters first, because the 2017 BMW i3 uses both 19-inch and 20-inch tire packages. Front and rear fitment matters just as much, since the car uses narrower 155-section tires up front and wider 175-section tires in the rear. Choosing the correct size means matching both the wheel and the axle position.
Wheel condition and actual setup deserve a close look before replacement. Bent wheels, aftermarket wheel changes, or a mixed set from a previous owner can complicate what should be a straightforward size match. Taking a moment to inspect both sides of the car helps confirm that the replacement tire matches the installed package instead of just the model year.
Restoration & Appearance
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 2017 BMW i3 restoration?
Yes. Even though the 2017 BMW i3 is a modern vehicle, correct tire fitment still matters because its narrow, staggered tire layout is a visible and functional part of the car’s original character. The distinction between 19-inch and 20-inch packages, along with front-versus-rear sizing, affects how the car sits and how authentically the setup is presented.
A restoration-minded owner should start by confirming the wheel package actually on the car, then matching the proper tire size to each axle. Cars that have changed hands may no longer wear their original wheels, so appearance and fitment should be checked together. Preserving the intended staggered layout usually matters more than simply finding any tire with the right diameter.
How does tire sizing affect the appearance of a 2017 BMW i3?
Tire sizing has a strong visual effect on the 2017 BMW i3 because the car was designed around tall, narrow radials that give it a distinctive stance. The front tires are slimmer than the rears, and the difference between 19-inch and 20-inch wheel packages also changes the overall presentation. Those proportions are part of what makes an i3 look like an i3.
Owners concerned with appearance should avoid treating the car as a conventional same-size setup. Keeping the correct axle-specific dimensions helps preserve the intended balance between the wheel, tire sidewall, and body design. On a car with replacement or aftermarket wheels, checking the existing sizes first helps prevent a mismatched look even before road behavior enters the discussion.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 2017 BMW i3?
Yes. Wheel changes, aftermarket rims, suspension alterations, or a mixed set of used parts can affect tire fitment on a 2017 BMW i3. Because the car uses a staggered arrangement with both 19-inch and 20-inch options, even a small change in setup can create confusion about which size belongs on which axle.
A modified i3 should be checked at the car rather than assumed to match a stock configuration. Confirm the actual wheel diameter at each corner, read the existing tire sizes, and inspect for clearance around suspension and body components. That process is especially important before replacing only one tire, since the wrong width or profile can upset an already nonstandard setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 2017 BMW i3 on new tires?
Start by confirming that each new tire matches the correct axle and wheel diameter for the car’s setup. Then inspect inflation pressure, bead seating, wheel condition, and general installation quality. On a 2017 BMW i3, it also makes sense to verify that the front and rear sizes remain properly staggered rather than accidentally mixed.
A quick road-use inspection should also include tread condition on any remaining older tires, visible sidewall damage, and signs of air loss after installation. Cars that sit for long periods deserve extra attention, since age and storage can matter as much as tread depth. Looking over the suspension and checking for rubbing during low-speed turns adds another useful layer of caution.
How often should tires on a 2017 BMW i3 be inspected?
Tires on a 2017 BMW i3 should be inspected regularly, with extra attention before longer drives and after periods of storage. A visual check should include tread wear, cuts, bulges, cracking, and air pressure. Because the i3 uses narrow, axle-specific tire sizes, catching an issue early can prevent running the wrong condition on the wrong corner.
Routine inspection is especially helpful on low-mileage cars that may age out tires before wearing them out. Looking at both front and rear tires together helps reveal uneven wear or an accidental size mismatch from past replacement work. Any sign of persistent pressure loss, unusual wear pattern, or sidewall deterioration is a good reason to have the setup evaluated before regular road use.
