Will 245/40/17 Pilot Sport 2 tires fit on the front of my E36 M3 with 8" wide wheels?

[96INFMSM3]

I just ordered a set of 4 245/40/17 Michelin Pilot Sport 2s for my 1996 BMW M3. The suspension is stock and I currently run 245s in the rear on 8.5" wide M-Contours and 235s in the front on 8" wide M-Contours.

I currently have no rubbing issues.

I got a call at about 9 this morning from someone at tire rack and they asked me if I was sure I wanted to get 245s. I told them I wanted the 245s all the way around so I could hold the power in the rear and also be able to rotate the tires. I never rotated my Bridgestone Potenza S-03s that I have on it right now because they're staggered.

They said the 245s will fit on an 8" wide wheel but they're not sure about rubbing.

Does anyone know if they'll rub on the strut or inner fender lining? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Kyle

[Jim@tirerack]

I would think you may have to roll the fender lip and maybe run more negative camber in the front. It does work but it may need massaging a little.

[cozmo kraemer]

I have never had a problem with 245/35/18 all the way around and my car is also lowered. I have no rubbing and I didn't roll the fenders, or run a spacer.

[CABimmer]

I have 245s with 8" RKs, I have coilovers and need a 5mm for the front

[96INFMSM3]

So I just had the tires mounted and balanced today and I'm happy to say there's absolutely no rubbing.

If anyone else is considering mounting 245/40 17s on the front of their stock suspension E36 M3, you now know that it will work (well it worked for me, I'm assuming it would work on any other E36 M3).

[Jim@tirerack]

A lot will depend on the idividual tire and the offset of the wheel you have. Just because they fit on your car doesn't mean it will work on every car without rubbing. It is an easy fix if there is a slight rub.

[M3TurboCa]

96infmsm3 do you find that with the larger 245/40/17 front tire there is more effort in the steering and is the handling more netural.

Im going with 255/40/17 on my rear 17x9 45+ offset and was wondering what size tire to go on the front wheel 17x8.

225/45/17 is the same ride height 25", 235/45/17 is 25.3", and 240/40/17 is 24.7"

[96INFMSM3]

96infmsm3 do you find that with the larger 245/40/17 front tire there is more effort in the steering and is the handling more netural.

Im going with 255/40/17 on my rear 17x9 45+ offset and was wondering what size tire to go on the front wheel 17x8.

225/45/17 is the same ride height 25", 235/45/17 is 25.3", and 240/40/17 is 24.7"

It does feel like there is more steering effort which I think of as a good thing. My steering wheel has always felt a bit loose around town and on the freeway. Now it feels a bit more weighted and precise. I haven't pushed the car in any sense of the word since I got the new tires so I can't really comment on the neutral handling part.

I usually like to go easy on the tires for the first 500 miles or so to get them properly broken in. I would assume that the front will now have a little more grip than before, which will be nice since it used to push more than I would like in the corners.

[SleepRM3]

I've read stock E36 ('96-'99) M3 rear 8.5 wide x 17 with 245/40-17 tires will fit up front with stock suspension and no mods to front fender lips.

[RLM]

A lot will depend on the idividual tire and the offset of the wheel you have. Just because they fit on your car doesn't mean it will work on every car without rubbing. It is an easy fix if there is a slight rub.


I want to also due the 245/40/17 all around with the polished LTW wheels that are 8.5 wide. Will these work with an h&r coilover suspension? I did a trial fit with my current yoko avs sports and there is somewhere between an 1/8 and a 1/4" clearance by the lock rings is this enough clearance and do the ps2 run wider than the yoko's/

thanks,

Rob

[hukalaki]

Is there a final recommended 17" wheel width and offset for use with the GC coilovers?

And, if I don't care so much about weight but more strength, is there a good manufacturer?

Thanks!

[Jim@tirerack]

There would not be any exact size. A lot would depend on the alignment of the car, the width of the specific tire and how much fender lip you have. I would say you would be good with 17X8.5 mid 40's offset. It is something you just have to play with on your car.