Tire options for OEM 15x7" ET30 wheels on an E30 M3

[Tremelune]

I'm in the market for a new set of tires. OEM size is 205/55-15, but pickins are slim in that size. I'm leaning towards the Kumho Ecsta 4X over the Yokohama S.drive, but neither has the stick of the Kumho Ecsta SX or Dunlop Direzza ZII, both of which are available in the slightly smaller (3-4% in diameter) 205/50-15. I would actually prefer the gearing to go the other way...

I've considered picking up a set of 16" wheels to run 225/45-16 tires, but I don't really want to spend the money at the moment...

I guess I'm wondering if I should go with the significantly-better-than-what's-on-there tires in the OEM size or move to the smaller size for some serious stick.

[MatthewH]

My sport package 1994 325i came with 225/55R15s on the same size wheels. I've used 205/50R15 and 225/50R15 Kumho V710 R-compounds on those wheels, and the smaller tires felt better. I also tried some 205/60R15 Fallen Ziex ZE-512 all-seasons which were all around awful.

The ZII in the 195/55R15 size would be a good option. I don't think the 225/45R16 size would be better unless you got much wider 16" wheels. 205/50R16 is a very good size.

The E38 7-series 16x8 +23 Style 5 (BBS RZ 469) are a good cheap option for 16" wheels.

[Tremelune]

I had not considered the (gasp) narrower 195 tires, but considering I'll be going from decade old rubber to sticky summer tires, I doubt I would have less traction in any condition...