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?
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
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.
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Last edited by bluptgm3; 10-09-2018 at 12:40 AM.
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.
See ya later,
tony
'98 M3, '92 Dinan3, '05 R1100S BCR, '07 R1200S, Aprilia T
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