BMW M3 Tire sizing question
 

I posted this on bimmerforums and got zilch:

I have an '02 M3 with 19" DPE wheels on it. I don't know the exact sizes, but they're wider than stock. I need new rears ASAP. I don't like the "stretched" look of the current setup.

I'm currently running 275/30-19, but I think I have room for something bigger.

Sample specs Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110

It looks like a 285/30 is .2" taller; a 295/30 is .4" taller.

Thoughts? I think the 285 might be doable, but the 295 is iffy. I have a similar dilemma to solve in the front, but that's not pressing right now.

http://vintagebus.com/gallery/mod/image/2103898.JPG
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http://vintagebus.com/gallery/mod/image/2103898b.JPG
http://vintagebus.com/gallery/mod/image/2103898c.JPG

My stock '06 ZCP is 255/35x19, so any of the sizes you mention are significantly larger.

I suspect you know this, but the staggered wheels are purely for looks as they add to understeer. So I would think that going with even wider tires you are also talking about adding even more understeer.

What you don't like a little Mexipoke?

Check out m3forum.net

Wow, the guys on any VW forum would LOVE you and your stretch.

all you ever needed to know about **stretched tires and poke** but were afraid to ask

I never did understand that... The guys on the 'tex are ate up with that stupid **** too... All show, no go...

Holy cow, I didn't know this was a "thing"! I just thought the PO (who does fit a certain demographic) was trying to save a couple pesos on tires.

The main reason I want more section width is I think the stretch looks like ass; secondly, I live in constant fear of curb-rashing my wheels.

Assuming they are something like 19 x 9's & 10's:
front - 245/35-19
rear - 285/30-19

Compare the actual section width of different manufactuers as well.

stretched ass you say? OK, here ya go:


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1282840061.jpg


makes me chuckle.

No doubt. Th VW people love the stretch, silly camber and taking pictures of their cars with industrial back drops.

You need to go hellaflush if you're going to run with less stretch.





Um, I mean, that's what I've heard.

You're gonna have to find out how wide those wheels are before you can make an intelligent decision on what tire is best. I don't know whether the measurement is out-to-out at the rim or if it's measured inside.

Might be a good idea to get Tire Rack on the phone and ask them which it is. Then you can get the measurement and call 'em back and go from there. Of course, you wanna try to stay as close to the outside diameter of the tires that were originally on the car. Do you know if it came with 18's or 19's?

I'm guessing you've already seen this, but in case you haven't:

*BMW equips your vehicle with more than one possible size during production.
Please select the size installed on your vehicle from the choices below.

Original Equipment Front Size 1: 225/45-18
Original Equipment Rear Size 1: 255/40-18

Original Equipment Front Size 2: 225/40-19
Original Equipment Rear Size 2: 255/35-19

Sizes To Fit Your Vehicle

There's no way he's running anything smaller than 9.5, probably 10 or more wide. If 275s are stretched THAT much, he's running a wheel wide enough that it might even cause problems (interference).

This car originally came with 19's (and I still have the original wheels)

If those are 275's on there, I bet the wheels are at least 11" wide.

It doesn't look like you can put a wider tire on there without hitting the fender lip.

I helped a co-worker's son lower his GTI. I thought it looked cool after it was lowered. The next time I saw it he had really wide wheels with too narrow a tire. I just rolled my eyes.

Why not put the factory wheels back on? They look pretty damn good IIRC. Sell the bling to some punkasskid....

That was my original plan when I bought the car, but the wheels have grown on me.

Which factory wheels were they? Would you be interested in selling them?

Sell both sets and go "square" with these: APEX - 18x9.5 :)

These, but I think I'm going to hang onto them for now.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...WM3E46-001.jpg