Running wider tires

[Narek]

Hey guys,

I know a lot of people are running tires that arent standard size, but I couldnt find any specific instructions/tips.

I want to try out wider tires on my next change, 265 front 295 rear, however with the front fender liners being a problem, and me having 0 experience in running non-stock tire sizes, wanted to ask for advice.

Can these tires just be fitted on, or some modification has to be made? Also, logically im guessing I have to run different, wider rims?

Sorry if this seems obvious.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by Narek

Hey guys,

I know a lot of people are running tires that arent standard size, but I couldnt find any specific instructions/tips.

I want to try out wider tires on my next change, 265 front 295 rear, however with the front fender liners being a problem, and me having 0 experience in running non-stock tire sizes, wanted to ask for advice.

Can these tires just be fitted on, or some modification has to be made? Also, logically im guessing I have to run different, wider rims?

Sorry if this seems obvious.

Did you try

:


There are lots of threads on this just scroll down in the wheel and tire subforum or use the search

[ilikebmxbikes]

Originally Posted by Narek

Hey guys,

I know a lot of people are running tires that arent standard size, but I couldnt find any specific instructions/tips.

I want to try out wider tires on my next change, 265 front 295 rear, however with the front fender liners being a problem, and me having 0 experience in running non-stock tire sizes, wanted to ask for advice.

Can these tires just be fitted on, or some modification has to be made? Also, logically im guessing I have to run different, wider rims?

Sorry if this seems obvious.

You can indeed fit 265/ 295 on the car. Of course you will still rub the front liner at full lock- but you will only be going low speeds doing so and fender liners are cheap- so I wouldn't worry.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by ilikebmxbikes

You can indeed fit 265/ 295 on the car. Of course you will still rub the front liner at full lock- but you will only be going low speeds doing so and fender liners are cheap- so I wouldn't worry.

265/295 will fit on the car but I don't believe a 265 will fit on the stock rim and fit. I believe 255 is the widest that will fit the stock 9" rim with its offset and not rub.
A 295 will definitely fit on the stock rear rim which is 10" wide.

[ilikebmxbikes]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

265/295 will fit on the car but I don't believe a 265 will fit on the stock rim and fit. I believe 255 is the widest that will fit the stock 9" rim with its offset and not rub.
A 295 will definitely fit on the stock rear rim which is 10" wide.

correct. i was assuming OP was changing wheels. if you keep stock rims i wouldnt do more than a 255 front and a 285 rear which as you noted is limited by rim width

[ALEJANDRO]

Here's another question for the experts: If you are already running 12mm spacers on the back wheels-- I guess you cannot go for wider tires than stock, right?

thanks

[Narek]

Thanks for the answers guys!

Now to clarify, 255s on front max with stock (+avoid lining rubbing), but can I go 295 back or stick to 285?

[ozinaldo]

Originally Posted by Narek

Thanks for the answers guys!

Now to clarify, 255s on front max with stock (+avoid lining rubbing), but can I go 295 back or stick to 285?

While you definitely can, you better stick with 285 with the rears, as long as you have 255s on front; best is to keep stock geometry as close as possible when you go wider which means if you are on stock wheels and suspension go for 255/275 or 255/35 mated with 285/30 like the M3 GTS.

There are also people (M3 guys mostly) who run 275/30 front with 295/30 rear which also keeps things close to stock but those are a bit wide tires on front; I thought about it in the past and decided to pass.

[Artemis]

PSS 255/35 front (instead of stock 245/35) and PSS 275/35 rear (instead of stock 265/35) is a good upgrade compromise.

Upgraded fender liners (http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=682196). No rubbing here.

[Nextruss]

I've researched all of the threads out here and am still stuck on rear tire sizes. I read one person who said they have RE11 285/35/19s in the back with no rubbing and lowered. How come no one else is buying 285/35s? Has anyone else actually tested this size? I am wanting to go that route but don't want to learn the hard way, thanks!

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by Nextruss

I've researched all of the threads out here and am still stuck on rear tire sizes. I read one person who said they have RE11 285/35/19s in the back with no rubbing and lowered. How come no one else is buying 285/35s? Has anyone else actually tested this size? I am wanting to go that route but don't want to learn the hard way, thanks!

So you have confirmation that an owner fit them ... What else do you need ?

Send that owner a PM with any other questions you have ?

285s fit yes... is 35 too tall? I dunno! Check the specs and measurements! 285/30 worked for me.... I have some friends running 295/30 on stock rear wheels...

mount them up and let us know! Someone has to be a guinea pig.. you are elected!

[ozinaldo]

Mark,

295/30s fit easily because they are actually shorter than our stock 265/35s:

265/35/19: 26,3"
275/35/19: 26,6"
285/30/19: 26,0"
285/35/19: 26,9"
295/30/19: 26,0"

285/35 might rub and not provide a great combo really; 0.6" taller than stock.

[Nextruss]

Which tires in 285/30 are you running? Here are the only comments I could find about the topic but this user hasnt been active in a year:

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=753195

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=651423

...just wasn't very convincing but maybe it's good since can't find anyone saying it won't fit...

[ozinaldo]

Originally Posted by Nextruss

Which tires in 285/30 are you running? Here are the only comments I could find about the topic but this user hasnt been active in a year:

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=753195

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=651423

...just wasn't very convincing but maybe it's good since can't find anyone saying it won't fit...

If you were asking me, I do not run 285/30 myself but there were members in the past who did and you can find others in M3 forums; like the M3 GTS, the ones I remember were using Pirelli Zero Corsa System which may not be the best overall tire anymore and definitely an expensive one.

[Nextruss]

M3 Adjuster said he was running 285/30. Ya, the Corsas are too pricey. I appreciate the responses from you guys, now I just need to make a decision. =)

[ozinaldo]

Originally Posted by Nextruss

M3 Adjuster said he was running 285/30. Ya, the Corsas are too pricey. I appreciate the responses from you guys, now I just need to make a decision. =)

I understand where the confusion comes from now: he was running 18" track wheels, that's why he was able to fit 285/30 all around. On stock 19" 285/30 won't be a feasable alternative.

[Narek]

Originally Posted by ozinaldo

I understand where the confusion comes from now: he was running 18" track wheels, that's why he was able to fit 285/30 all around. On stock 19" 285/30 won't be a feasable alternative.

285/30s wont be possible? Or 285/35? I thought you said 30s should be fine as they are lower than our stock 265/35?


Another question. Would it be unwise to run 255/35 front with 295/30 rear? Will the height difference be a problem?

I think for my next set ill try out 255/35 front and 285/35 rear.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by Narek

285/30s wont be possible? Or 285/35? I thought you said 30s should be fine as they are lower than our stock 265/35?


Another question. Would it be unwise to run 255/35 front with 295/30 rear? Will the height difference be a problem?

I think for my next set ill try out 255/35 front and 285/35 rear.

285/30/19 should work, double check ozinaldos calculations above and make sure they are the same height as 295/30/19.

I currently have 275/30/19 on my street wheels, so there is yet another option that will fit, (of many). The one tire that it seems will not is 285/35. Or at least why risk it when there are so many others that do work.


If you want to retain stock handling characteristics then I would try and keep 20 mm difference in tires from front to rear. Going with less stagger will reduce understeer. Going with more stagger will increase understeer. It's noticeable beginning at 30mm difference between front and rear. I have noticed this with my current street setup of 245/35/19 front and 275/30/19 rear as well as with my recent autocross setup up 285/30/18 front and 315/30/18 rear.

I wouldn't dare go to a 40 mm difference unless you are just trying to win stop light derby or drag race and are trying to put the power down in a straight line and don't care about turning at speed. Some drivers might do this for vanity as well. I don't understand reducing performance for vanity.. but some people do.

Finally. If you reduce the stagger front to rear this actually helps to reduce understeer. I have 285/30/18 all around on my track wheels. It's awesome! However.. for the most part, with the max width on an OEM front wheel at 255... this really won't be an option unless you also go with stock 265s in the rear.... not really a preferred combination.

[ozinaldo]

Originally Posted by Narek

285/30s wont be possible? Or 285/35? I thought you said 30s should be fine as they are lower than our stock 265/35?


Another question. Would it be unwise to run 255/35 front with 295/30 rear? Will the height difference be a problem?

I think for my next set ill try out 255/35 front and 285/35 rear.

All options have some compromises: 255 fr and 295 re might provoke too much understeer for instance. And for the 285/35 rear you will have to try and see if a 26.9" tall tire will rub or not. In both cases, if you don't pick a 285/30 or 275/35 (like more common upgrades for rear stock rims) you will either eliminate all stagger of stock set up (0.5 as stock) in the case of 255/35 and 285/30 or 295/30 (both fr and re will be 26.0 tall, 0 stagger) or will enlarge the delta with a 255/35 and 285/35 set up as you plan which will end up 0.9 stagger. They might be all OK but don't think that there is a perfect solution which answers all questions and needs.

Ideally on stock rims and suspension and for street driving you want to remain identical or close to 0.5 factory set up stagger.

[sparoz]

Just remember tire size means nothing - as different tires have different width even they are the same size - hope that make sense to you.

For example - PSS is quite a wide tire compare to the same size of another make. I run stock size - PSS rubs, Trofeo R rubs and the AD08R doesn't. You should have plenty of room at the rear, but the front is a different matter.

Remember, changing the tire and tire size will change the dynamics of the car. For better or worse - you will just have to try it out and find out .

[Shooto82]

The BMW Safety Car is lowered and runs mixed tyres measuring 255/35 at the front and 285/30.
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=503193

It meant to be track car so I will assume the dynamics should be as good as the stock setup. Not sure if they are PSS or Pzero

[ozinaldo]

Originally Posted by Shooto82

The BMW Safety Car is lowered and runs mixed tyres measuring 255/35 at the front and 285/30.
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=503193

It meant to be track car so I will assume the dynamics should be as good as the stock setup. Not sure if they are PSS or Pzero

P Zero Corsa like the M3 GTS; PSS did not come (still don't) in 285/30.