17x8.5 m68 - SQUARE SETUP - 255/40-17

[mvrk10256]

i am mostly on e46F and dont come on here much but i was told this is a great forum and that there are a lot more pros on here that could give me a simple straight answer.

as he title says i have 4 17x8.5 m68 wheels currently 235/45-17 on there. i want to run 255/40-17 all around. what precautions do i need to take? fender rolled? spacers? currently running H&R race springs and tokico shocks. -2.1 degress up front and -2.8 out back.

FYI i believe the offset is -50mm on the wheels.

TIA
-Maksim

[Jim@tirerack]

Depending on the offset of the wheels and the specific tires you would need to run a small spacer in the front and roll the fender lips. I have had customers run this set up though. If I can help let me know.

[mvrk10256]

i plan on using onlinetires.com to buy 4 255/40-17 Federal s595s. I have read great review on these tires, and they are inexpensive and have a 260 wear rating. seems like a great combination for a daily that sees frequent autoX use. the offset on the wheel is -50mm

[Jim@tirerack]

Goodluck with those tires. I would think you would be much better off with the Hankook Ventus V12 at 111.00 each and a 50.00 mail in rebate. In a test that was done by Car and Driver this tire was ranked right near the top.

[mvrk10256]

unless that rebate is 50 a tire, then i am going to stick with cheap tires i think, I seem to wear through them pretty fast and those tires specifically have good reviews on other forums. apprently the Evo guys really like them

[LivesNearCostco]

Jim, sorry to dig up an older thread but I have a similar request. I have a 2003 330i ZHP with stock suspension and staggered setup, 18" wheels wearing 225/40/18 up front and 255/35/18 in back.

Would like to get square setup to use for AutoX and HPDE days on the track. Goal is to run sticker DOT tires (not R-comps) and reduce understeer. Planning to do 6 AutoX days and 3 HPDE days per year. Don't mind running spacers up front but don't want to roll the fender lips. On your website you sell the Kosei K1 racing wheels 17x18.5 (offset 40mm) for $175 each or the TR Motorsport for $139 each. Recommended tire size for both is shown as 225/45/17. Maksim wanted to run 255/40/17 all around and you said that requires fender lip rolling in front. Some questions:



If I want 17x8.5, which would you recommend, the Kosei K1 or TR Motorsport? I care about weight, strength, and price; don't care much about how they look or the finish.
Assuming same tire width (235 or 245mm) which would give better AutoX performance, 17" wheels because they're lighter (and maybe I can afford sticker tiers) or 18" wheels because the tires have shorter sidewalls?
Can I put a 245/40/17 in front without rolling the fenders? Back fits 255/35/18 but front stock tires are only 225 wide.
If recommended tire size on 17x8.5" is 225/45/17, can I upsize to 245/40/17 without going to a 9" wide wheel?
Tire suggestion I could use for both AutoX and HPDE? You said Hankook Ventus V12. How do they compare to the Dunlop Direzza Star Specs? Or the BridgeStone RE11s?

Current tires are old Michelin Pilot Sport (UTQG 220) in front and new Bridgestone Potenza RE760 (UTQG 340) in back. I think I need something with stiffer sidewalls and stickier rubber for AutoX and don't mind if they wear out faster because I wouldn't use them for daily driving. I have read many others' posts saying they can fit 235/40/17 in front without rubbing, so want to know if I can safely go up to 245/40/17 in front or if I should just be happy with a 235/40/17 square setup.

--John Kim

[Ianik]

I can juste confirm one point.

I currently run 245/40/17 on my 8,5x17 Kosei's. The fitment is perfect, no worries there.

[Jim@tirerack]

That is what I would recommend as well. The 245/40R17 is a no brainer and has been used a lot by other guys in the same car. I would look at the Bridgestone re-11, Dunlop Direzza Star Spec or the Yokohama Advan Neova if you are looking for the best handling tire. I saw numerous BMW's running the Kosei in the Grand Am Continental Challenge recently.
If I can help let me know.

[LivesNearCostco]

Ianik, thanks for the confirmation. My only question is you have an M3, and doesn't the E46 M3 come with wider fender flares than the E46 330i? But if Jim from TireRack is saying lots of other 330i drivers are using 245/40/17, I guess it should fit fine.

{EDIT 9July2010: just read some more threads confirming 245/40/17 should fit fine on E46 non-M without fender lip rolling and without spacers.}

Jim, thanks for the tip and the tire recommendations--hadn't thought about the Yokohama Advan Neovas, so will check those out. What kind of spacer, if any, should I get for the front? I thought I read in one of the stickied threads that Kosei K1 wheels might not fit tightly with spacers of 10mm or thinner?

I think I'm going to do one more AutoX and maybe one more HPDE before I go buy a square setup. In my first AutoX I wasn't pushing the limit of the tires much. In my 2nd AutoX I was often pushing the front tires in understeer. I plan to buy the wheels from Tire Rack and probably the tires too.


I can juste confirm one point.

I currently run 245/40/17 on my 8,5x17 Kosei's. The fitment is perfect, no worries there.

[Jim@tirerack]

You should not need more than a 5mm spacer and maybe just a 3mm. Give me a call when you are ready.

[LivesNearCostco]

Thanks, Jim. Hoping to do my 3rd AutoCross on July 17. Have to find a BMW CCA or NASA HPDE day around here also.