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[Cole]

Hello,
I just bought a 135is with 12K miles.

Current Tires:
Front: 215/40R18
Rear: 245/35R18

The ride is too stiff with the RFT's (I'm located in the Northeast)


Option "A"
Using my current rims, can I change to higher series profile tires?


Option "B"

I noticed that a 135i uses:
205/50R17 (front)
225/45R17 (rear)

and the 128i uses:
205/50R17 for both Front & Rear

If I switch rims, could I use either of the above?

Thanks,

[champignon]

Originally Posted by Cole

Hello,
I just bought a 135is with 12K miles.

Current Tires:
Front: 215/40R18
Rear: 245/35R18

The ride is too stiff with the RFT's (I'm located in the Northeast)


Option "A"
Using my current rims, can I change to higher series profile tires?


Option "B"

I noticed that a 135i uses:
205/50R17 (front)
225/45R17 (rear)

and the 128i uses:
205/50R17 for both Front & Rear

If I switch rims, could I use either of the above?

Thanks,

I'm no expert, but if you are interested in doing any sort of spirited driving, not track driving, just engaging driving, I think you would be making a serious mistake to downgrade to 17 inch rims and tires, other than for seasonal (winter tire only) use.

You just bought a performance vehicle; why turn it into a lesser car?

[Dackelone]

The harsh ride comes from those crappy run flats. Just by switching to a regualr tire... you will be astunded HOW much beter the car rides. The only down side is you will loose that very good turn-in response from the RFT's. Its not too bad, but it is noticeable. One way to over come this is to buy the very best tires you can afford. And also make sure they are of a ultra high performance type with a high sidewall load rating. That is why a lot of us go with Michelin PSS's.


I would suggest you to go with a 225/255 setup. It will truely make the car ride like a different annimal.

My new Michelin PS3’s 225’s & 255’s…
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=510873


I should warn you... once you change the tires... you will want to do rear subframe bushings, then M3(1M) control arms and the entire suspension. It is an (1)Addicton.

Dackel


PS: a 135i uses the SAME tire sizes as a 135is ALL 135i's use an 18 wheel. The 205's(17's) size tires are what is recommended for winter tires on any 135i/128i. Most 128i's run 135i tire sizes when optioned with 18 ich wheels. Standard 17's equipped cars run a slightly taller and narrower tire: 205/50R17 (front) & 225/45R17 (rear). No 135i's came with 17's wheels. They all came with 18's, in two wheel designs.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by Cole

Hello,
I just bought a 135is with 12K miles.

Current Tires:
Front: 215/40R18
Rear: 245/35R18

The ride is too stiff with the RFT's (I'm located in the Northeast)


Option "A"
Using my current rims, can I change to higher series profile tires?


Option "B"

I noticed that a 135i uses:
205/50R17 (front)
225/45R17 (rear)

and the 128i uses:
205/50R17 for both Front & Rear

If I switch rims, could I use either of the above?

Thanks,

135i and 135is use the same size tires, or are supposed to. Just get rid of the runcraps and get stock sized tires. Will ride a hell of a lot better, and they are much cheaper.

Like Dack said, be prepared to have the rear subframe bushings replaced after you have made the tire switch, also recommend replacing the front control arms to the M3 version as well.

[blue135]

Dack;

Are you sure all 135i ' s came with 18" wheels? I have a 3/08 build e88 135i and i am pretty sure the 17" on it are original, but perhaps i am wrong as i am third owner.

[jkoral]

There was an optional no-cost 17" wheel for the 135i (at least in the US). Star Spoke 142.

In 2008 and 2009 it was 17 x 7.0 cast alloy wheels and 205/50R-17 run-flat performance tires.

In 2010 it was 17 x 7.0 front, 17 x 7.5 rear; 205/50 front, 225/45 rear run-flat all-season tires.


I was too lazy to check for other years, but I would bet the staggered setup with all-seasons continued for 2011 and later?

[swagon]

Originally Posted by Cole

Hello,
I just bought a 135is with 12K miles.

Current Tires:
Front: 215/40R18
Rear: 245/35R18

The ride is too stiff with the RFT's (I'm located in the Northeast)


Option "A"
Using my current rims, can I change to higher series profile tires?


Option "B"

I noticed that a 135i uses:
205/50R17 (front)
225/45R17 (rear)

and the 128i uses:
205/50R17 for both Front & Rear

If I switch rims, could I use either of the above?

Thanks,

Get non-RFT tires for your 18" rims and new dampers (Bilstein, Koni). Problem (almost) solved. You'd be amazed at the difference.

[blue135]

jLORAL;

Thanks, what you show is exactly what i have on my 2008 e88.

[ptack]

Toss the run craps. Use the 18" wheels for winter. Get 1" wider wheels for summer and run 225/255 Michelin PSS.

[Ginger_Extract]

Originally Posted by champignon

I'm no expert, but if you are interested in doing any sort of spirited driving, not track driving, just engaging driving, I think you would be making a serious mistake to downgrade to 17 inch rims and tires, other than for seasonal (winter tire only) use.

You just bought a performance vehicle; why turn it into a lesser car?

You're very much mistaken. I'm closing in on some N54 street tire records with 17" wheels. 17's are lighter and the tires are much cheaper.

[FPSCanada]

+1 for 225/255. Definitely get PSS also. I would have them but it can snow in the middle of July up here, and PSS don't work very well in the cold so I've got Delinte D7's.