biggest rear tire on E36 m3?

[Dinanify]

I have a 99 m3 vert, only modified part of the suspension is Koni Yellow single adjustable Shocks (still have stock springs).

I was able to throw 255/40/17's on there no problem (My 17" SSR Competition's are 9" wide on the back).

But, the big question of the day is, can I fit a 265/40/17's on the back with that wheel.

Tire diameter
245/40/17 24.72"(stock)
265/40/17 25.35"

Diameter increases by .63"
Radius increases by .315"
MPH would be off (I know)

Just curious if they would rub at all. Right now, the 255/40/17's rub only a tiny bit when suspension is fully compressed on a side, and not all that time at that. (and it's on the inside of each fender where it happens).

Maybe some fender rolling is in order?

I know Nitto makes NT555's in that size (265/40/17), as well as some others.

[Rich V]

From what I've gathered a 265/35/18 (roughly same size) would require quite a bit of work on the rear fenders.

Not sure if you can get away with just rolling the fenders, although I would like to know if anyone has got away with it?

[Spencer]

Whats the offset on your rear wheels? If its high enough, it should fit.

You will most likely need to roll the fender lips as well.

265/35-18's have fit, so I see no reason why 265/40-17's wouldn't.

Also, how much rear camber are you running? That has a big role in gaining clearence.

[Dinanify]

The wheel was listed as a 'compatible' wheel when I bought them, I'm unsure of the exact offset, likely it is whatever stock E36 M3 BMW wheels are.

Rear camber is currently stock (-1.5degrees).

My buddy has a heat gun, he did it on his 2001 Porsche 996 Turbo (crazy mods), and had large success, sounding like he'll be able to help me get the fenders right, but since I've never personally done fender rolling, or even seen it done, I'm of course concerned. My car, while having 85k miles, is still in very good shape, and I wouldn't mind rolling them, as long as it came out right. But I know that the extra tire patch would be helpful, especially off the line.

[Rich V]

17x9's wouldn't fit with stock BMW offset. My 17x9 SSR's are a 45mm offset, which is about what you'd need.

I'm not sure you can get away with JUST fender rolling (or at least the small rolling that doesn't crack paint). From what I understand it requires more than just a small roll of the fenders.

How much clearance is there between your 255s right now? If there is enough, maybe it will be easier than my current impression.

[Dinanify]

I'll need to take some measurements, I'll try to do that tonight.

[Dinanify]

ahh..., I was just looking up on Michelin's website, in their pilot sport PDF file, and they list a 265/35/17 , which, other than the tire width increase from 9.65" to 10.43" seems to be very close to stock, now I just need to find a place that sells that Michelin Pilot Sport Size (perhaps easier said than done). TireRack doesn't list it, guess I could call them though.


Comparing 245/40/17 (stock) to 265/35/17 (new)

Sidewall Height
stock: 3.86"
new: 3.65"
decrease of .19"

Tire Width
stock: 9.65"
new: 10.43"
increase of .78"

Tire Diameter
stock: 24.72"
new: 24.30"
decrease of .42" (.215" ride height decrease in rear)

Tire+Wheel Radius
stock: 12.36"
new: 12.15'
decrease of .21 (.215" ride height decrease in rear)

[Jim@tirerack]

The 265/35R17 has not been made yet. I would doubt you can fit the 265/40R17 on the car. It is just too much tire. I actually think the car would not handle as good even if it did. You would just create more under steer.

[Spencer]

I'd assume you have the 17x9 et 45 SSR Comps. This is perfect for getting big rubber out back.

With a fair amount of fender rolling, you shouldn't have much of a problem fitting the 265/35-17's.

The problem is that it COULD rub and if that one size larger tire is worth dealing with it. Not to mention, I bet that Pilot Sport is going to be an expensive tire in that rare size. I bet a 255 S03 would be cheaper and provide just as much grip.

[96cosmosM3]

Originally posted by Dinanify
I have a 99 m3 vert, only modified part of the suspension is Koni Yellow single adjustable Shocks (still have stock springs).

I was able to throw 255/40/17's on there no problem (My 17" SSR Competition's are 9" wide on the back).

But, the big question of the day is, can I fit a 265/40/17's on the back with that wheel.

Tire diameter
245/40/17 24.72"(stock)
265/40/17 25.35"

Diameter increases by .63"
Radius increases by .315"
MPH would be off (I know)

Just curious if they would rub at all. Right now, the 255/40/17's rub only a tiny bit when suspension is fully compressed on a side, and not all that time at that. (and it's on the inside of each fender where it happens).

Maybe some fender rolling is in order?

I know Nitto makes NT555's in that size (265/40/17), as well as some others.

With 45mm offset it should fit. I got 265/35/18 on a 9" rim with 45mm offset, just required minor roll of the fenders

[Dinanify]

Hey Jim? (tireRack)

Is this tire 'going' to be made? I had a guy from America's Tire call in today (to Michelin), and they said they had a sku for it,but it was either:
1)going to be produced, but never ended up being so
2) not yet produced, but going to be (maybe a stock tire size for an upcoming car?)

Just trying to get a feeling for the status of that tire (nobody else has it). yeah, beginning to wonder if it's worth it (going to undoubtedly be an expensive tire).


Also thinking about putting 245/40/17's up front (less understeer), rim up there is also SSR comp, 17x8.

[millm3]

With 45mm offset it should fit. I got 265/35/18 on a 9" rim with 45mm offset, just required minor roll of the fenders

same here, my car had 17x9" Alpina rims (46 mm) offset with 265/35/17 Michelin Pilot tires. Fender lips are rolled. That was a "factory" setup with NO rubbing.

Now I'm on BBS RS2 18x8.5 with 255/35/18.

[daniel rai]

I got 255/35/18 and trust me there is not enough space for any thing bigger, i actually had to shae some paint off to stop rubbing.
I would like 295's if i could find some nice but CHEAP fender flares, any one aware of any brand ?

[Spencer]

Originally posted by daniel rai
I got 255/35/18 and trust me there is not enough space for any thing bigger, i actually had to shae some paint off to stop rubbing.
I would like 295's if i could find some nice but CHEAP fender flares, any one aware of any brand ?

There is more room if you have the proper offset in the rear.

Whats the wheel width and offset on your rear wheels?

I think reiger flares are pretty cheap but may not line up with your stock rear bumper. The expensive part is the labor to mold the flares and then re-paint.

[Keda]

Based on some info Spencer wrote in the EuroSport SC thread, I contacted Bob Tunnell. He sent me a link to his flares. Its a $4200 fabrication job (paint, fab).

www.tunnellracing.com/competition/flares

[EMC]

One of my friends has 18x10's on the back of his E36 M3. The rear fender was pulled out and is now being repainted. It's a lot of work just to fit another half inch of tire back there. ...But those 10 inch rear wheels need at least a 265 SO3 to look right.

[Dinanify]

btw, my offsets are as follows:

front: 17x8, 40mm offset, stock ride height
rear: 17x9, 45mm offset, stock ride height

Also wondering if I can put a 245/40/17 up front without modification, concerned the width will rub against the strut.

[KraZy007]

I have 255/35/18 on BBS RCJ's , 42mm offset, slammed on H&R coiliovers, 1.5 neg camber and i think i can squeeze in a 265/35/18 if i really wanted. I did, however, have my fenders rolled and pulled out to fit these.

[Byzanz]

Ive got 265/35/18 on 18x9.5" with stock suspension and only slight modification to the INSIDE of the fender well, not the lip.

[KraZy007]

Originally posted by Byzanz
Ive got 265/35/18 on 18x9.5" with stock suspension and only slight modification to the INSIDE of the fender well, not the lip.

offset? camber?

[UserName]

I've got 18x8.5 +38 RC w/ 255/35 and my fenders are rolled as well...

By the way Krazy007 can you post a pic from an angle at front and rear? I want to see the difference in curvature on your 8" and 9" wheels.......