Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: Tire question

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Location
    Washington
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    1998 M3

    Tire question

    I have a 1998 m3 which comes stock with 225’s in the front and 245’s in the rear. For some reason the previous owner decided to put 225’s in the rear as well. How big of a difference does this make when it comes to handling in dry and wet conditions?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Bellevue wa
    Posts
    1,030
    My Cars
    1998 bmw m3 sedan
    Quote Originally Posted by ethanstewart23 View Post
    I have a 1998 m3 which comes stock with 225’s in the front and 245’s in the rear. For some reason the previous owner decided to put 225’s in the rear as well. How big of a difference does this make when it comes to handling in dry and wet conditions?
    About 20mm... jk, if you aren’t pushing it it’s fine but if it was me I would get new tires.

    I had a winter setup with 225/45 squared and it felt good but it was also in the winter.
    98 M3 sedan

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Seattle, WA
    Posts
    1,433
    My Cars
    1999 BMW M3 Coupe
    On the street, very little. Not unless you drive in snow/ice and they are winter tires. Even in the rain, 225's should stay planted as long as they are decent tires with plenty of tread and you're not driving like a maniac.

    That said, assuming you still have the OEM wheels, get the proper size tires when you decide to buy a new set.
    1999 M3/2/5 - Titanium Silver - Track/Weekend Toy


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    5,776
    My Cars
    99 M3

    Tire question

    IF there are 8 1/2 inch wide rear wheels, 225/45-17 will be pretty stretched.
    The 1995M3 LWT was fit with staggered 7 1/2” X 17” and 8 1/2” X 17” Style 24s shod in 235/40-17’s all around.

    The same tire all around balances the grip front - to - rear as originally intended by BMW, less tendency to understeer and more prone to throttle oversteer. This is a trait that was “corrected” in 1996 with different spindles, FLCAs, stiffer front springs, and 8 1/2” rear wheels with 245/40-17 tires in the rear.

    For what it is worth, I run 225/45-17 snow tires all around on 7 1/2” wheels all around and have tracked them in March in Seattle.
    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Last edited by bluptgm3; 10-09-2018 at 12:40 AM.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    outta SoCal, now CO
    Posts
    1,212
    My Cars
    '98 M3 Alpine White
    You can find these charts everywhere and each tire manufacturer has their own but this one is not bad.

    BMW put 235 on 7.5" rims all around for the '95 and went with the rear 245 on 8.5" wheels for the later E36M3s to temper the little bit of oversteer, especially if you're prone to using too much brake in the turns. The 235 all around make a nice package. Good handling and the little oversteer is easily handled.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    See ya later,

    tony
    '98 M3, '92 Dinan3, '05 R1100S BCR, '07 R1200S, Aprilia T

Similar Threads

  1. tampaturbom3 & tire question combo msg
    By EricH in forum Tire & Wheel Forum sponsored by The Tire Rack
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 01-02-2002, 06:43 PM
  2. Tire question for those with factory staggerd wheels
    By BMWM3some in forum 1992 - 1999 M3 (E36)
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 11-19-2001, 02:25 PM
  3. Tire Question
    By perot in forum Tire & Wheel Forum sponsored by The Tire Rack
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 04-17-2001, 12:08 PM
  4. Small leak in tire question?
    By dgm3 in forum 1992 - 1999 M3 (E36)
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 04-04-2001, 02:20 PM
  5. Tire Questions!
    By BMWFAN in forum Tire & Wheel Forum sponsored by The Tire Rack
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 03-27-2001, 12:01 AM

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
  •