e46 M3 Tire Sizing Thread

[Cb3319]

Hey Guys…back from a a several month hiatus. This was a tire size discussion that several of you helped with. To update, bought the 02 silver titanium convertible in late September. No mods other than the wheels. SSR GT3s. I have replaced the fronts with 245/35/19 Pilot 4S. The rears are ready and currently have 285/35/19 Pilot SS. I have had NO rubbing front or back but I do not track the car and have yet to run it very hard. The question: if I replace the rears with 275s will there be a dramatic difference? Yall have asked how wide are the rears? 10.5(measured with the tire on the wheel).

[Drewrivera]

Can we see. 😬?!

[01SG]

I'm running 255/40/17 on a 9.5". I have no complaints. Not sure what problem could possibly arise on the street, there's no downside. My car only sees a few track events each year, so having the most absolute grip was not a concern nor a cost I felt compelled to endure.

I was happy with the 235 squared that came from the factory on the 95 M3. I tried to emulate that setup.

[Thoglan]

Has anyone run 255/40/18 square on a 9.5" wheel? Tyre shortage forcing me to move away from the 265/35/18 I had ordered.

[liam821]

This may have been asked already, but has anyone run 285/35-18 on a 18x10 et25 rear wheel? With stock alignment and minimal lowering will it fit?

I'd get a second opinion, but it should fit.

[cobra]

This may have been asked already, but has anyone run 285/35-18 on a 18x10 et25 rear wheel? With stock alignment and minimal lowering will it fit?

[liam821]

So I'm running stock 19" Style 67's (all stock everything suspension wise, except old tires which are 235/265 Conti DWS06 All Season)... and it's new tire time... old not mileage due to life (and Covid) interference... I may just roll the dice and try to get my money out of these shoes (if I have 15k on them since 2016 I'd be shocked)...

But I'm thinking about sizes... it seems like I can go 235/275 and be at like 80.0 (8" front) and 80.1 (9.5" rear) in rolling diameter according to the OP's stats and calculations...

liam821 Have I read that correctly? If I'm not going to see tons of miles on the tires I may as well fully utilize the tread out back, is my reasoning... I've since put ECU and TCU tunes (and probably new rear struts) on the car, which should help.

Any thoughts? Thanks Gents,

maw

maw1124 Sorry, just saw this, I think the reason why the first page recommends a 235/265 is it keeps the stock stagger ratio. I'd think running a really big rear tire and a small front 235/275 would cause understeer at the limit.

[maw1124]

So I'm running stock 19" Style 67's (all stock everything suspension wise, except old tires which are 235/265 Conti DWS06 All Season)... and it's new tire time... old not mileage due to life (and Covid) interference... I may just roll the dice and try to get my money out of these shoes (if I have 15k on them since 2016 I'd be shocked)...

But I'm thinking about sizes... it seems like I can go 235/275 and be at like 80.0 (8" front) and 80.1 (9.5" rear) in rolling diameter according to the OP's stats and calculations...

liam821 Have I read that correctly? If I'm not going to see tons of miles on the tires I may as well fully utilize the tread out back, is my reasoning... I've since put ECU and TCU tunes (and probably new rear struts) on the car, which should help.

Any thoughts? Thanks Gents,

maw

[Rkymtnrider]

Yes I ran the 359 wheels. I ran 255/35 in the front and 285/30 in the back. It was a very flush setup It rubbed very little in the back but not much. The fronts I had to camber in a little bit.

Cool. THANKS. I wonder how a 245/40-19 275/35 would fit. Not as wide, but slightly taller.

[nextelbuddy]

Have you tried this setup yet? I really want the 359m black wheels for my car. Id be less aggressive with the tire size though. 245/275 would be the biggest. I haven’t been able to get a straight answer as to whether or not they’d actually fit.

Yes I ran the 359 wheels. I ran 255/35 in the front and 285/30 in the back. It was a very flush setup It rubbed very little in the back but not much. The fronts I had to camber in a little bit.

[Slideways]

I knew a local forum member running a 275/30 PSS tire on a 19x10 ET27 wheel lowered on Bilstein coilovers with stockish camber, and the paint on the inner rear fender lip was partially rubbed off. Pretty sure an ET25 with a 285 will rub unless it has a good amount of camber.

[oceansize]

Have you tried this setup yet? I really want the 359m black wheels for my car. Id be less aggressive with the tire size though. 245/275 would be the biggest. I haven’t been able to get a straight answer as to whether or not they’d actually fit.

I'm currently on 19x9 et28 with 245/35 and 19x9.5 et19 with 265/35 and on willtheyfit.com the only difference for the rear was the inset. I have zero rub.

[Rkymtnrider]

Anyone know if I will have to roll the fenders with 359M wheels in this configuration? lowered on coilovers

19x9 et31 | 255/35/19
19x10et25 | 285/30/19

Have you tried this setup yet? I really want the 359m black wheels for my car. Id be less aggressive with the tire size though. 245/275 would be the biggest. I haven’t been able to get a straight answer as to whether or not they’d actually fit.

[liamalmighty]

I think you'll find that the Michelin's are the best tire you can put on the e46m3, period. If you want more performance, get Cup 2s, but for the best all-around not going to drive in the snow Pilot Sport 4Ss can't really be beaten.

Great info Liam! I finally signed up for the new forum, great to see you (virtually). And I love my Goodyear Eagle f1's as well, but Michellin's are great.

[nextelbuddy]

Anyone know if I will have to roll the fenders with 359M wheels in this configuration? lowered on coilovers

19x9 et31 | 255/35/19
19x10et25 | 285/30/19