gm325CiC
01-10-2008, 06:25 PM
I have a 2001 E46 convertible, and just picked up some staggered 18" CSL reps for it. I will be outfitting them with Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3s. It looks like most people with 18" staggered CSLs run 225/40 in front, and 255/35 in back. On an 8.5" wheel, the 225/40 looks too stretched for my taste, so I'm going with 235/40's in front. Given that, if I mount 255/35's in back, it will result in a significantly lower sidewall on the rears than on the front:
235/40 = 94 mm sidewall on front
255/35 = 89.25 mm sidewall on rear
To keep the sidewalls as close in height as possible, I'd like to run 265/35 in the back:
265/35 = 92.75 mm sidewall
I know many people have run 265/35's on the rear of coupes (which have the same fenders as the convertibles) without rolling the fender, and have not experienced any rubbing. But the Goodyear Eagle F1's have a very square sidewall profile, unlike many other tires, so their experiences may not translate to my situation.
If anyone out there with a coupe or convertible is running Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 265/35-18's on CSL reps (or any other 9.5" wheel with a +45 offset), I'd appreciate hearing about your experiences. I currently have the stock sport suspension, but am planning on a very modest drop; probably Eibach pro-kit springs.
Or does it really matter from a handling perspective that there's a 4.75 difference in sidewall height, front to back?
Thanks!
235/40 = 94 mm sidewall on front
255/35 = 89.25 mm sidewall on rear
To keep the sidewalls as close in height as possible, I'd like to run 265/35 in the back:
265/35 = 92.75 mm sidewall
I know many people have run 265/35's on the rear of coupes (which have the same fenders as the convertibles) without rolling the fender, and have not experienced any rubbing. But the Goodyear Eagle F1's have a very square sidewall profile, unlike many other tires, so their experiences may not translate to my situation.
If anyone out there with a coupe or convertible is running Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 265/35-18's on CSL reps (or any other 9.5" wheel with a +45 offset), I'd appreciate hearing about your experiences. I currently have the stock sport suspension, but am planning on a very modest drop; probably Eibach pro-kit springs.
Or does it really matter from a handling perspective that there's a 4.75 difference in sidewall height, front to back?
Thanks!