235/265 or 245/275?

[Cubieman]

I am purchasing some new wheels/tires and would like to to hear some opinions on tire sizing. The wheel sizes are:
18×8.5 et32
18×9.5 et22
I am planning on getting 235/40/18 & 265/35/18 tires.
I wondered if a 245/275 setup might have any consequences such as DSC issues or rubbing issues. It would seem a wider tire is usually a bit better but I am hesitant to run it too wide. The vehicle has been lowered approximately 1" on coilovers and sees almost exclusively street usage.

[Flat-Six]

I am running 245/275 on stock 19’s with no problems.

[tnord]

I have 245/275 on 18x9 and 18x10 EC7s....no problems.

[kermmmit7]

I run 245/35 , 275/30 on ZCP wheels and my car is lowered 1" . Zero issues .

[LemansM]

No consequences or rubbing going 245/275, it's tried and true. But 235/265 is the CSL spec so there's that. It's totally up to you, but either will work just fine.

[Caveman]

I am purchasing some new wheels/tires and would like to to hear some opinions on tire sizing. The wheel sizes are:
18×8.5 et32
18×9.5 et22
I am planning on getting 235/40/18 & 265/35/18 tires.
I wondered if a 245/275 setup might have any consequences such as DSC issues or rubbing issues. It would seem a wider tire is usually a bit better but I am hesitant to run it too wide. The vehicle has been lowered approximately 1" on coilovers and sees almost exclusively street usage.

Do you prefer the look of wider tires? Do you need more grip than standard? Are you wanting to change the handling balance?

[Slideways]

For novice drivers, it is best to learn on the stock sized tires. The stock sized PS4 already generates more grip than the PS1 or 2 the car came with. When you start sliding through every corner on track, then start thinking grippier tires and after that, wider wheels and tires. Smaller sized tires usually cost less, too.

[Cubieman]

Do you prefer the look of wider tires? Do you need more grip than standard? Are you wanting to change the handling balance?

I prefer the looks a of wider tire and I am sure they will help when the car is tracked (eventually), but I was just a bit anxious going from a 225/255 on the factory 19's to 245/275's on lighter aftermarket 18's. From the sounds of it the vehicle may have quite a difference in handling characteristics which I have become quite familiar with. Although those differences in handling are likely to be for the better with lighter wheels/wider tires.

[j0nwall]

I highly recommend you give this article a read. Written by Billy Johnson. The short explanation for you is that you should take a look at the tires you are considering for your wheels and match their tread width to the wheel width.The standard sizes you see, "245, 255, 265, etc" are not really reliable measurements as they vary so much between manufacturers and even performance categories.

Link: https://motoiq.com/how-to-properly-s...r-performance/

[dedinct]

I am running 245/275 on stock 19’s with no problems.

Any chance you could share a Pic of the tire stretch of that 245 and 275 on the stock zcp wheel? Im debating the same, but not sure if it will be a noticeable "meaty" difference.

Appreciate any help.

[simon_c]

I'm running PS4S in 235/265 (CSL sizes) on ZCP wheels. Didn't want that added stretch of the 245/275 setup but it probably would've been fine.

[terra]

I'm running 245/275 on 18 x 8.5 ET35 fronts and 18x10 ET27 rear without rubbing. Lowered to whatever the Ohlins recommended spec is

That said I'm tempted to go back down to 235/265 or 225/255 since I think the car would be a little more fun with less grip (particularly in the rear)

[tnord]

I just bought a new set of 245/275, but I admit I've thought about going down in rear size. but I'd want to keep the same front width or go bigger. I think my e90 330 with sport package and 255 square was the best handling BMW I've owned. I don't know how much difference there is in the suspension geometry between the e46m3 and the e90 chassis, but the e90 felt like it was up on it's toes and had great turn in. the m3 feels like it's back on it's haunches and you drive the rear of the car.

I just put ohlins on, and haven't really driven the car since so I'm keen to see how the balance has changed.

[karter16]

I realise this isn't the question you're asking but I bought new wheels and tires last year and ended up taking Bryson's advice:

Unconventional suggestion: run 18x9 et42 245/40/18 front with 18x9.5 255/40/18 rear

The wider wheel up front balances out front/rear grip, allows for an ET42 offset (which almost exactly matches OE scrub radius) while still filling out the front arch visually because the wheel and tire is wider.

Handling-wise it's superb, just thought I'd throw it out there as another option.

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/main-forum/member-build-journals/269-karter16-s-silbergrau-e46-m3-journal?p=310238#post310238

[tnord]

I like the idea of reducing the split between front/rear, but I'd rather go up in size at the same time. Give me all the tire as long as sizes are available that have the right circumference.