What Tire Size can I Use ? - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

E36graduate · 01-11-2013, 04:24 PM

Trying to lower the tire profle on existing rims.....currently have the stance I like, wouldn't mind making my rear tires look a little lower profile.

18x8 on front with 225/40/18
18x8.5 on rear with 265/35/18

I don't mind the fronts as they seem low profile, but what can be done on the rear....I know 255/35/18 are the oem spec, but what would fit on the rear rims to make the side profile smaller.....any ideas?

VMRWheels · 01-11-2013, 07:30 PM

The profile (second number) is actually a percentage of the width. So if you go with a narrower tire such as a 255 or 245, it'll give you a shorter side wall. If you like the look of low profile tires, look into going up a diameter, 19's or 20's?

E36graduate · 01-11-2013, 07:53 PM

Thanks.....so how do i calculate going to 19" from 18" without changing the amount of gap I currently have....meaning I want to swap out my 18" for 19" and not sure what type of rubber I am supposed to get?

example: 18x8 with 225/40/18 going to a 19x?? would use 215/30/19

N8N · 01-11-2013, 08:02 PM

Well, I would start with the stock sizes and go from there... stock E9x tires would be 225/40-18 front 255/35-18 rear so someone put wider rears on your car before you got it... corresponding 19" size would be 225/35-19 front and 255/30-19. People are also using 235/35-19 and 265/30-19 tires on E9xs without too much problems if you like a little wider look. I'm hesitant to recommend tires with significant rolling diameter differences front-rear even on a RWD car because I don't know how that will mess up the ABS, stability control, etc

If you think about it, if your rolling diameter is close, your sidewalls should look pretty much identical front-rear as well.

**Gary@TireRack** · 01-14-2013, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N8N

Well, I would start with the stock sizes and go from there... stock E9x tires would be 225/40-18 front 255/35-18 rear so someone put wider rears on your car before you got it... corresponding 19" size would be 225/35-19 front and 255/30-19. People are also using 235/35-19 and 265/30-19 tires on E9xs without too much problems if you like a little wider look. I'm hesitant to recommend tires with significant rolling diameter differences front-rear even on a RWD car because I don't know how that will mess up the ABS, stability control, etc

If you think about it, if your rolling diameter is close, your sidewalls should look pretty much identical front-rear as well.

+1. Good post.

Tires http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&...ires/index.jsp

01-11-2013, 04:24 PM	#1
E36graduate First Lieutenant Drives: 2008 335xi Sport 6MT Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Southeastern MASS Posts: 313 iTrader: (0)	What Tire Size can I Use ? Trying to lower the tire profle on existing rims.....currently have the stance I like, wouldn't mind making my rear tires look a little lower profile. 18x8 on front with 225/40/18 18x8.5 on rear with 265/35/18 I don't mind the fronts as they seem low profile, but what can be done on the rear....I know 255/35/18 are the oem spec, but what would fit on the rear rims to make the side profile smaller.....any ideas? __________________
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01-11-2013, 07:30 PM	#2
VMRWheels BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: BMW Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 9,702 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 5 Series [3.30]	The profile (second number) is actually a percentage of the width. So if you go with a narrower tire such as a 255 or 245, it'll give you a shorter side wall. If you like the look of low profile tires, look into going up a diameter, 19's or 20's? __________________ NEW WHEEL MODEL: V721 \| LIVE INVENTORY: V705 V703 V710 \| V710 PICTURE THREAD p. 714-442-7916 extension 103 \| e. kevin.a@velocitymotoring.com \| f. facebook.com/vmrwheels f. flickr.com/vmrwheels

01-11-2013, 07:53 PM	#3
E36graduate First Lieutenant Drives: 2008 335xi Sport 6MT Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Southeastern MASS Posts: 313 iTrader: (0)	Thanks.....so how do i calculate going to 19" from 18" without changing the amount of gap I currently have....meaning I want to swap out my 18" for 19" and not sure what type of rubber I am supposed to get? example: 18x8 with 225/40/18 going to a 19x?? would use 215/30/19 __________________

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01-11-2013, 08:02 PM	#4
N8N Captain Drives: 2009 E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Sterling, VA Posts: 845 iTrader: (1)	Well, I would start with the stock sizes and go from there... stock E9x tires would be 225/40-18 front 255/35-18 rear so someone put wider rears on your car before you got it... corresponding 19" size would be 225/35-19 front and 255/30-19. People are also using 235/35-19 and 265/30-19 tires on E9xs without too much problems if you like a little wider look. I'm hesitant to recommend tires with significant rolling diameter differences front-rear even on a RWD car because I don't know how that will mess up the ABS, stability control, etc If you think about it, if your rolling diameter is close, your sidewalls should look pretty much identical front-rear as well.