MK-1 E31 Specific Tire Size

[alex840]

Hello All,

Does anyone one know what E31 Specific MK Motorsport tire recommendation were when they were released?

I know many people are running 285s and some are moving to 295s for the rear, but what did MK recommend? What about the fronts, can I run 255s in the front?

My car has complete CSI suspension setup with springs and shocks/struts......

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Alex

[mikae31]

245/40/18 front and 275 or 285/35/18 rear. Some people use 275 rear and some, like me, 285. 285/35 fills the rear arches better and looks more spot on with 245/40 front in my opinion. These are safe desicions. 255/40 front increases the overall diameter. I wouldn't go there.

[alex840]

mikae, thank you for your reply.

I failed to mention that I do have chamber plates and it has increased the front height by 3/4" (measurement off of a csi without chamber plates and my car with chamber plates).

My big dilemma is that I want to go with as close as factory specs which seams to be 30-40 size difference between front and rear tires. I do want to fill the front arches in the front that is why the question about 255/40/18s in the front. I am guessing if I did that I would have to go with something like 295/35/18s in the rear.

I guess I can't have my cake and eat it too

[mikae31]

245/40 do fill the arches. I have H&R springs and i wouldn't go any bigger than that. I'm not sure if the 255/40 rub or not. Propably will be very close to inner liners when turning wheels to the limit. And yes, with 255/40, better pair to the rear would be 295/35. That might reguire some fender rolling already since they are taller and wider than 285/35 wich also are pretty damn close to the fender when you hit a big bump.

When talking about tyres the manufacturer also counts. There are pretty big differences between manufacturers. When pushed to the limit some manufacturers tyre might fit and some not. I have hankook ventus S1 evo 2 tyres and those 245/40 and 285/35 are perfect!

[TxGR8White]

Depends on the tire brand. Not all 275's or 285's are equal in width. i had at one time run 285 BFG's on mine without problem, but when I switched to 285 KUHMOS, they were too wide and made contact with the fender. Both these tires were mounted on the same wheel. Choose wisely.

[alex840]

That is exactly what I am very worried about. Good tires and Good Brakes are my top priorities.

I am specifically looking at Pilot Sport A/S 3+ 295/35/18s or 285/35/18s for the rear and 255/40/18s or 245/40/18s for the fronts on E31 specific MK1s.
Mk Motorsport Mk1
Front: 18x9.5 ET5
Rear: 18x11 ET21

My suspension is just refreshed CSI everything except Hyper's Koni Inserts solution in the front and Static Chamber Plates (3/4 inch height gain in the front).

It sounds like the 295s in the back should be ok. Some including Wuffer are going that route either now or in the future.

Does anyone have recent experience with tires shops where if you buy it and install it its yours or can you ask them to swap it out......

At this point I might go with the safe route and just do 285s and 245s. Unless one of the members chime in and say they have done it and no problem.

Again, thank you gentlemen for your input.

Depends on the tire brand. Not all 275's or 285's are equal in width. i had at one time run 285 BFG's on mine without problem, but when I switched to 285 KUHMOS, they were too wide and made contact with the fender. Both these tires were mounted on the same wheel. Choose wisely.

[mikae31]

Kumhos are known to be wider than many others. I think those michelins are way overrated.

I honestly can recommend those hankook ventus S1 evo2 tyres. They are exellent tyres! Some folks just have an obsession that it has to be michelin or similar even if you could get much better tyre to your needs with much cheeper. After using hankooks i wouldn't spend my money to those "expensive premium tyres" anymore.

[btnh]

here is mine with 285/40 nitto 555 in the rear. gives a more beefy look & more tire than the 285/35 .. i am on lowered suspension, with no rubbing.


you do have to drive with DSC off so it wont throw the spedo out of wack .. no big deal.

[TxGR8White]

NITTO 555's are a "best bang for the buck" tires, and I know that 285's will work no problems if mounted on the MK1's.

[E31 Fanatisch]

If Continental tires are on your shopping list beware that they tend to be a bit broad shouldered.

[alex840]

Looking to with 285/35/18....35s to stay close to front of 40s and what BMW recommended for our cars. Unless, Nittos make make 45s for the front....actually that might be a good idea.

Thank you for you input.

Alex

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Never had Nittos but if you say their good....I will give them a shot.

Welcome back BTW.... we have missed you around here

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You know E31 Fanatisch, I have noticed that about the Continentals....I got them on my 535d staggered on HREs and they look wider than other tires I have seen. I thought it was just my eyes, but you have confirmed this to be true.

[B44DARS3]

I bought Micheline pilot sport 3 MO tires for all four corners 245/40 – 285/35 to mount on E31 specific MK wheels, because the tire side wall is a bit round the rears were rubbing the suspension arms so I added 5mm spacers for now, did anyone else put spacers with correct MK wheels? rear tires are just a bit outside the fenders though, will some negative camber setting solve the issue as it was only lower end of the tire rubbing??

[mikae31]

I bought Micheline pilot sport 3 MO tires for all four corners 245/40 – 285/35 to mount on E31 specific MK wheels, because the tire side wall is a bit round the rears were rubbing the suspension arms so I added 5mm spacers for now, did anyone else put spacers with correct MK wheels? rear tires are just a bit outside the fenders though, will some negative camber setting solve the issue as it was only lower end of the tire rubbing??

No. You shouldn't have to use spacers with those wheels. My mk's with 285/35 hankooks cleared those arms easily. There was about 6mm clearance. Hankooks sidewall was also over wheels edge.

[B44DARS3]

exactlly thats what I do not understand why I needed spacers, what could be the problem? my guess is either the alignment is out or the wheel is bent

[gon850]

paralel 37 styling on Michelin Super Sport 245-40 r18 and 285-35-r18

Perfect fit... outstanding gip and durability

[rjbaren]

M Parallel 37s with Hankook EVO 12 Summer tires on my 840. Price was unbelievable. I have Hankook S1 Noble 2 tires on my 528 wagon and my wife's CL500. Nice ride, nice grip, nice price.