Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[kyubiii]

Hello all I currently have a square set of wheels that are 18x8 ET45. I can't decide between which tire setup to go with. Will 245 even fit on the front? Tires I'm deciding between are: Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position/ Continental Conti Extreme Contact DW/ Michelin PSS.
Which tires in which tire size setup would you all choose? Thanks in advanced for your input.

[John_01]

IMO, it depends which tire you want.

If Michelin PSS, I'd get 235/40/18 x 4pcs. It may be necessary to drill the alignment pins on the front if they are close to the fender.
Because you are using 18x8.0 wheel size the strut side clearance will be fine (Assuming OE style strut).

If other tires have wider tread and more square sidewalls, it may be better to get: Front 225/40/18, Rear 235/40/18.

[kyubiii]

Thanks for the reply. Would i be able to fit a 245 up front with an 18x8et45 wheel? I think ideally id like to have 245 all around if i could. Id like the have the benefit of being able to rotate tires and having as much tire on the ground in the rear as i can fit on the wheel. I've read that Michelin PSS is the best tire and lasts the longest but just wondering if they're worth the premium. Anyone have experiences with Michelin PSS and another of the tires listed?

[e36addict]

Originally Posted by kyubiii

Thanks for the reply. Would i be able to fit a 245 up front with an 18x8et45 wheel? I think ideally id like to have 245 all around if i could. Id like the have the benefit of being able to rotate tires and having as much tire on the ground in the rear as i can fit on the wheel. I've read that Michelin PSS is the best tire and lasts the longest but just wondering if they're worth the premium. Anyone have experiences with Michelin PSS and another of the tires listed?

I ran squared 245/35 on 18x8.5 ET45 for a long time. Works fine. I added dinan camber plates to add a little extra for some fender clearance. But I was quite low, on soft(ish) ST coilovers. If you're stock(ish) ride height you should be just fine.

[John_01]

If it was my car I'd probably choose Goodyear Asymmetric 2. They have squarer shoulders than the Michelin, so I would get 225/40 front and 235/40 rear. I think it will be plenty of tire for the 18x8 rims. If you want a square setup then you will probably need Dinan camber plates to fit the 235/40/18 Goodyear on the front.

Michelin PSS 245/35 is also possible to use on 18x8.0 rims, again with front camber plates. I exepct they will give about the same tread width as the 235/40 Goodyear Asymetric 2. Michelin PSS are decent quality tires, but they are a bit overpriced IMO. I have the PSS on my E82 135i, and Goodyear Asymmetric (older version) on my E90.

[kyubiii]

Thanks for your responses fellas. Before I pull the trigger on 245/35/18 tires. It is the consensus that camber plates will be needed in the front with the 18x8 Et45 wheel?

[lowbudgethero]

depends if you have access to fender roller

im running 255 18x8.5 with an effective et48 i think I wouldn't have needed to roll the fenders if i was sensible and just bought 245s

[drunkenup]

Originally Posted by kyubiii

Thanks for your responses fellas. Before I pull the trigger on 245/35/18 tires. It is the consensus that camber plates will be needed in the front with the 18x8 Et45 wheel?

On a ET45 you might be able to get away with just pulling the alignment pins. Maybe.

[Olgeezer1]

Whichever size you go with, just have to say I'm a big fan of the square setup. On my less powerful car square 225's are perfect. Great step towards more neutral handling.

[Solo_M_Tech]

You will be fine. I ran a 245/35 with lowered suspension on a 18X8 ET40 wheel and had ZERO clearance issues. With your ET45 wheel, you may need 5mm spacers to clear the strut. My clearance was around 3mm with the ET40 wheel.

[tuj]

I am running 245/40/18's up front on 261/ET52 wheels with 12MM spacers and -1.9 camber and there is about 2mm clearance to the strut.

[E82MSport]

Originally Posted by tuj

I am running 245/40/18's up front on 261/ET52 wheels with 12MM spacers and -1.9 camber and there is about 2mm clearance to the strut.

Are you running 245/40's or 245/35's?

[tuj]

Originally Posted by E82MSport

Are you running 245/40's or 245/35's?

BFG R1 245/40/18.

[E82MSport]

Originally Posted by tuj

BFG R1 245/40/18.

Ah yes, that makes sense seeing as they most likely don't make a 245/35 for these race tires. Any thought about running A7's? It would give you a little more clearance.

For everyone else running street tires they should be looking for 35 aspect ratio in a 245 or 255 on 18-inch wheels. Edited to include wheel size to avoid confusion.

[RyanDavies]

255/40/17 fits up front (RE71R or A7), as do 255/35/18.

Might be able to squeeze a 265/35/18 RE71R with lots of camber and spacer play.

[tuj]

Originally Posted by E82MSport

Any thought about running A7's? It would give you a little more clearance.

I am pretty sure an A7 is way wider than the 245 it is listed as. I think it is actually about 275.