Bimmerforums Upgrade Garage The Tire Rack
Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Looking for opinions on wheel/tire size for e36 M3 please

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    Redwood City,CA
    Posts
    51
    My Cars
    A4 1.8t K04 and 98 M3

    Looking for opinions on wheel/tire size for e36 M3 please

    Hi,
    I’ve decided on the 18 OZ Superleggera wheels for my 98 M3.

    The constant info is the wheels are ET40 and the tires I will be getting are Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3. I will be getting the same size wheel/tire all around (non-staggered). I have Ground Control Coilovers. The car is not slammed, but it has a good drop.

    I have a couple of routes I can go:

    1) Get 18x8 with 225/40/18
    2) Get 18x8 with 235/40/18
    3) Get 18x9 with 245/40/18
    4) Get 18x9 with 255/40/18

    I don't really want to drop down to a 35 series tire if possible. I don't mind rolling fenders. I would like to avoid running spacers, but I would if I had to.

    I've read a lot of other posts about wheel/tire size, but there weren't a lot of wheels with an offset of 40mm. Any thoughts that might help me make my decisions?

    Thanks in advance… josh

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Location
    Austin, TX, USA
    Posts
    1,364
    My Cars
    '01 Jeep ;)
    Josh,

    Why wouldn't you want to consider a 35 series tire? A 255/35 has nearly the identical sidewall height as the 225/40 you listed. And it's much closer to the factory O.D. than a really tall 255/40-18. Bernman's running 255/35's on 18x8.5's and it looks fantastic. I know he has some rubbing issues, but probably nothing some fender rolling couldn't resolve.

    Good luck and post pics of the final decision.

    Tommy

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Location
    LA
    Posts
    3,644
    Any of those setups should fit fine. I got 265/35/18 all around on 8.5" +38 and 9" +45 . Did require some rolling for the rear fenders

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2001
    Location
    Los Angeles, CA
    Posts
    1,756
    My Cars
    1998 M3, 2000 323iT
    Options 3 and 4 are too tall. The Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 is offered in 245/35. You should check it out.
    Nick

    1998 M3 Estoril • 2000 323it TiAg sport 5 spd

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Sioux Falls, SD
    Posts
    101
    My Cars
    '04 330Cic Titanium Sil /Blue Top; '02 Lexus LS430
    if you go wider than the OEM size you will have to drop to a lower profile tire, or your speedometer will be off and the car will NOT handle as it should.

    Cary in S.D.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    Redwood City,CA
    Posts
    51
    My Cars
    A4 1.8t K04 and 98 M3
    Thanks a lot for the replies everyone. It sounds like I should go 245/35/18. I'll just have to be extra careful for potholes!

    Should I order some spacers just to be safe? Maybe I'll get a set of 5mm and 7mm just in case.

    thanks again... josh

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Sioux Falls, SD
    Posts
    101
    My Cars
    '04 330Cic Titanium Sil /Blue Top; '02 Lexus LS430
    get a set of either 5 or 7s. either would be fine.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Location
    Hockessin, Delaware
    Posts
    2,587
    My Cars
    99M3, 97NSX, 03S600, 04RX330, 04Dakota, 01 3.2TL
    I have superleggeras. 18x9s with 255/35/18s barely fit on my dropped GCs. I currently have 18x8.5 Breytons with 255/35/18 all around, and they are safe. My superleggeras ran 17x8 front with 245/40/17 and 18x9 rear 255/35/18. This helped find a balance from the lawyer induced understeer, and the tail whipping out of corners oversteer. Not only that...I didn't have to worry about 18s up front being bent all the time, and still had some wide rubber there...

    With the breytons...I'm basically always watching them stupid potholes...
    Engine & Driveline: ICS Stage 4 SC * 8 Rib * 15+psi * xx# injectors * Schrick Cams * Larger HFM * Port & Polished Head * 3 Angle Valve Job * VAC MLS .140 HG * E36TD Fan Setup * Shorty Headers * Track Pipe * UUC UDPs * S54 Oil Cooler * OEM S54 Radiator * S54 Guibo * Stromung Exhaust * ACS Delete * UUC SSK * Rouge WSR * UUC TME
    Chasis Tuning: GC COs * UUC Sways * X-Brace * Rouge RSM * GC RTAB * AA DSB * Z3 Steering Rack * BBS RC 18x8.5 ET38/ 255/35/18s @ all 4* Front Strut Brace * RaceLogic * 3.38 LSD
    Exterior: DEEP BLACK PAINT * Rolled Fenders * Custom Vented Hood * RD Diffuser * Red DDEs * 8,000K HIDs * Smoked Markers
    Coming Soon: Finish ICE * 6-sp Trans * 6 Pot 13.6 Fr, 4 Pot 12.9 Rr BBK
    4 Sale: M3 S52 Cams * M3 Rear Seats * 99 M3 Fan&Clutch, Intake Manifold, Headers * Alum Therm Housing * 42# Injectors * Dresmann Rear Kit * Tilton/ICS Flywheel & Clutch * LED, Smoked & OEM Taillights * & More
    Wheels & Tires: Custom 18x8.5 BBS RCs * 3 17x8 Grey OZ Superleggeras * RD RGS 17x8

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •