What size tire should I get for 18"x8", and what brand should I get?

[Neds Bimmer]

So im on stock sport suspension, getting csl replicas by umnitza, the specs are 18" x 8". So Im guessing 225/40/18, but not exactly sure.

Also, good recommendations for a performance tire that works in rain? I never see any snow here so I might need something for all season.

[umnitza]

235/40 is a perfect balance.

[Neds Bimmer]

235/40 is a perfect balance.

That means the tires a little wider, correct? Im still trying to learn all the dimensions and specs for tires and wheels.

[umnitza]

first number is width, second number is ratio/percentage of height as it relates to width of tires.
235 means wider than 225, and 40 means % of 225 or 235. so a 235/40 will have a taller sidewall than a 225/40.

[doughboy8475]

Hey Ned, go to the first line when you open this forum, that is Jim from The Tire Rack, I have 18s on mine, I'm running 255/40zr18 on my rears, and I think 225/35zr18 on the fronts, I need to change my size on the fronts, you should be running 25540 on rears, and 23540 on fronts, that is if you want a staggered look like I have, I'll post a pic later this week of that mine looks like from the rear.

[Johal E32]

either 225/40/18 or 235/40/18.

These are some of the best tires out there (rating/performance wise). I am currently running the Bridgestones and like them, but they are a tad noisy. I have a pair of the Michelin Pilot Sport Zp's sitting in the garage to go on next..

LINKS:http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Pilot+Sport+PS2+ZP&frontTire=24WR8SPORTPS2ZP&rearTire=535WR8SPORTPS2ZP&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=BMW&autoYear=2004&autoModel=330i%20Performance%20Pkg&autoModClar=



http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=ExtremeContact+DW&frontTire=24YR8ECDWXL&rearTire=535YR8ECDW&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=BMW&autoYear=2004&autoModel=330i%20Performance%20Pkg&autoModClar=

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Potenza+RE760+Sport&frontTire=24WR8RE760XL&rearTire=535WR8RE760&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=BMW&autoYear=2004&autoModel=330i%20Performance%20Pkg&autoModClar=

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Pilot+Sport+PS2&frontTire=24YR8SPORTPS2XL&rearTire=535YR8SPORTPS2XL&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=BMW&autoYear=2004&autoModel=330i%20Performance%20Pkg&autoModClar=

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Pilot+Super+Sport&frontTire=24YR8PSSXL&rearTire=535YR8PSSXL&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=BMW&autoYear=2004&autoModel=330i%20Performance%20Pkg&autoModClar=

Continentals and Bridgestone are quite affordable for a performance tire

[Neds Bimmer]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, an thanks for the links johal!

[Johal E32]

no problem!

I better see your car with the new wheels at Berkeley Marina meet, right?:devillook

[Neds Bimmer]

no problem!

I better see your car with the new wheels at Berkeley Marina meet, right?:devillook

If I get them mounted in time, you know it! :D

[scooper]

I'm not sure what the optimal size would be OP but get square so you can rotate front to back. For rain I'd say Bridgestone, Conti, Michelin, Pirelli, BFG, Yoko in that order. You generally get what you pay for in tires. I like stiff sidewalls for better handling in the dry so I'm running Michelins. Bridgestone and BFG are my other choices. Michelins have the best balance of dry and wet and last the longest and are the toughest tires out there. BFGs are the best in the dry, decent in the wet and have less treadlife. Bridgestones are best in the wet and good in the dry and have average treadlife. All are A/s tires I'm referring to. Contis are the best in the wet but their sidewalls are so soft I'll never buy them again. Some people don't mind that but I do, especially after hitting a few potholes.

[Neds Bimmer]

I'm not sure what the optimal size would be OP but get square so you can rotate front to back. For rain I'd say Bridgestone, Conti, Michelin, Pirelli, BFG, Yoko in that order. You generally get what you pay for in tires. I like stiff sidewalls for better handling in the dry so I'm running Michelins. Bridgestone and BFG are my other choices. Michelins have the best balance of dry and wet and last the longest and are the toughest tires out there. BFGs are the best in the dry, decent in the wet and have less treadlife. Bridgestones are best in the wet and good in the dry and have average treadlife. All are A/s tires I'm referring to. Contis are the best in the wet but their sidewalls are so soft I'll never buy them again. Some people don't mind that but I do, especially after hitting a few potholes.

Wow, this post is very helpful, thank you very much! :buttrock

[TechnicalNinja]

For my winter/all season tires I got Conti DWS which have excellent tread wear ratings and have mostly excellent reviews with the exception of complaints regarding sidewall strength. On an 18 the ride starts to get harsh and the soft sidewalls help to put the "user friendly" back into the wheel/tire set up. I purchased from discount tire and their warranty covers any failure I have for any reason. I might have chosen a different brand had this warranty not been available.
The DWS can be rotated left to right without remounting the tires. One side is the out side. They are not directional which is very handy.
Getting all the tires the same size in the way to go IMO. Gives you far more options. They are not the "best" for any single purpose but they were the best all around package for me.....

[DHoang]

I bought the DWS and they've now got about 15k miles on them. In the past, when my tires rack up 15k miles, that's when I feel and hear tires howling and grinding and losing wet traction. But not these tires....they're Still as whisper quiet and smooth and grippy as the 1st day I bought them.

Don't overlook the FREE factory warranty on these tires. 60k mile , 72-month Manufacturer’s Workmanship Limited warranty –with free replacement up to 12 months, and Road Hazard Coverage for 12 months.

[Pate2011]

Awesome thanks for letting us know http://www.sf700.info/7.jpg

[GTRSv]

what is your budget?

If you can afford it, I'd recommend Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus in 235/40/18.

[Neds Bimmer]

What about these?
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=BFGoodrich&tireModel=g-Force+Sport&partnum=24ZR8GFSPV2&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes[/URL]

[scooper]

I've never run those before but they're supposed to be decent all around. Good treadlife, good traction, good sidewall stiffness. They were/are used by skip barber or bob bondurant for their driving schools. If you need A/S capability the BFG SS A/S are pretty good. Tread life is probably comparable to the non A/S, traction is better, but tread is a bit skinnier and is slightly more expensive. Don't get the KDWs unless it's a show car. Major, major tread noise.

[Neds Bimmer]

I've never run those before but they're supposed to be decent all around. Good treadlife, good traction, good sidewall stiffness. They were/are used by skip barber or bob bondurant for their driving schools. If you need A/S capability the BFG SS A/S are pretty good. Tread life is probably comparable to the non A/S, traction is better, but tread is a bit skinnier and is slightly more expensive. Don't get the KDWs unless it's a show car. Major, major tread noise.

Oh cool I didnt know that! Good to know, thanks!

[MatthewH]

Also, good recommendations for a performance tire that works in rain? I never see any snow here so I might need something for all season.

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/408972_1713335288596_1694588730_820239_422878330_n .jpg

I have 225/50R17 DWS on my minivan. They are a bit stretched on the 8" wide wheel. They are okay in the rain. I wouldn't suggest them for use in any real snow or ice. If that is not really a concern you might also want to consider the grippier DW. Michelin Pilot Super Sports seem to be the grippiest rain tires right now, but they also cost more.

The Continental free warranty doesn't get you free replacements. They prorate your original purchase price and charge you the difference between that and the current full price for the new replacement. I was surprised by how much it cost me to get one replaced when they were only a few months old.

If you would like something cheaper I would recommend the Kumho Ecsta SPTs and maybe consider their new LE Sport and 4X tires. The later two are competitors to the Continental DW and DWS.