Question on Falken Azenis tires

[Jim M3]

I am looking at some Falken's for track duty the Azenis is quite appealing to me based on price and feedback. I am trying to find out though if the 245/45/17 will fit on an E36 M3/4 all the way around. It is a higher profile tire and the width of tread is 9". I would like to get the largest tire I can get on the car but am worried about rubbing. The offset of the rim is 35. BTW the car is lowered and does have adjustable camber all the way around.

[Tommy R]

A 245/45 is too tall. Stick with the 225/45 or go with a different tire. And, yes, the 245/45 will most likely rub (depending on what's done to your car).

Tommy

[standard63]

Originally posted by Tommy R
A 245/45 is too tall. Stick with the 225/45 or go with a different tire. And, yes, the 245/45 will most likely rub (depending on what's done to your car).

Tommy

Will the 225/45s work ok on a '98 M3 with the staggered set up? Falken rates the tires as ok on an 8.5 rim, I'm just wondering if it will seem too narrow compared to stock 245/40. How about ASC, will that be effected by going to a 225/45 on the rear? ~~approximately 1.0% larger than stock?

[Tommy R]

Running the same size tire on staggered wheels isn't really a good idea. The fronts, being "ballooned" more, will respond much slower than the rears, which are more tightly stretched onto the wide rim. Ideally, I'd say run some 17x8's or even 17x8.5's all the way around with the 225/45 or go with Kumho MX's (less grip until warmed up, thogh).

Don't know about the ASC, but I doubt it would be adversely affected at all.

Tommy

[standard63]

Yep, that's what I was wondering. Thanks! I'm gonna go with the MXs I think.

[Tommy R]

They're a very impressive tire. Don't generate heat quite quickly enough for top level autocrossing, but are great for street/track.

Tommy

[oversteerdawg]

Running the same size tire on staggered wheels isn't really a good idea. The fronts, being "ballooned" more, will respond much slower than the rears, which are more tightly stretched onto the wide rim. Ideally, I'd say run some 17x8's or even 17x8.5's all the way around with the 225/45 or go with Kumho MX's (less grip until warmed up, thogh).

Don't know about the ASC, but I doubt it would be adversely affected at all.

Tommy
Didn't BMW run 235/40/17 all the way around on the LTW's? Those had 17x7.5 and 17x 8.5 staggered wheels didn't they?

[Tommy R]

Didn't BMW run 235/40/17 all the way around on the LTW's? Those had 17x7.5 and 17x 8.5 staggered wheels didn't they?

I believe they were 17x7.5's all the way around.

Tommy

[Pman]

I believe (I say that because I'm not 100% positive) that BMW did put 235s all around with staggered wheels for at least 1 year -- yes, there was also one year where they did put 17x7.5 all around.

FWIW, I have exactly the setup you are talking about for autocross use: staggered M Double Spoke wheels (from a '97 M3) with Azenis 225/45 on all four. I have done a couple events (20+ autocross runs) and have noticed no adverse characteristics. I really like them and highly recommend them. I would be interested to hear from someone who has personal experience with the "balooning" or has had problems with the "slower response time" mentioned above. I just haven't seen it.

at today's San Diego BMWCCA autocross, the top 6cyl stock, and the top 2 6cyl modified cars had Azenis. They guy next to me had 245/45 all around on his 330. He mentioned that he had previously tried the Kumho, but preferred the Azenis. He had the Kumho MXs there (street tires -- I don't recall if it was a 235 or 245). We measured it and compared it with my Azenis 225, and the tread on the Azenis was at least 1/2" wider. Realize that when you get the specs from the manufacturer, there is no "standard", so you can't always compare.

There are 2 other guys in SD BMWCCA who have used the staggered Azenis with no problems with the taller tire. One of them is Dragon_M in these forums, he may have some feedback. I chose to go 225 all around to better balance the car, I didn't want the taller rear tire changing gear ratios, and the larger tire is heavier (Azenis are heavy to begin with).

If I can help or provide more info let me know.

[toddman35]

95's came with 7.5's and 235s all around.
95 ltws came with staggered wheels and 235s all around.
96+'s came with staggered wheels and 225s up front with 245s out back.

I've also heard that the azenis' run wide compared to other tires. I'd go with the 225/45/17 personally.

Hope this clears up some of the confusion about the ltw. :)