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[ERinEC]

I'm considering picking up a used winter setup that consists of VMR VB3 wheels with the fronts as 18 x 8.5, ET20, with Dunlop SP Wintersport 3Ds size 235/40. This is for my '11 E92 M3.

Will there be a big gap between the tire and fender up front? I know this is just a winter setup, but I'm fearful the gap will be too much for me.

Are people typically going 245/40 for an 18 x 8.5" winter setup?

[M3SQRD]

The stock 245/40-18 PS2 has a rolling diameter of 25.7". The 235/40-18 3D has a rolling diameter of 25.4" so the fender-to-wheel gap increases by ~0.15".

BMW M3 270M winter wheels are 18x8"et20 and they recommend running a square 235/40-18 winter tire setup.

[ERinEC]

Originally Posted by M3SQRD

The stock 245/40-18 PS2 has a rolling diameter of 25.7". The 235/40-18 3D has a rolling diameter of 25.4" so the fender-to-wheel gap increases by ~0.15".

BMW M3 270M winter wheels are 18x8"et20 and they recommend running a square 245/40-18 winter tire setup.

Okay, thanks.

Not sure if it makes a difference, but I also have comp package.

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by ERinEC

Okay, thanks.

Not sure if it makes a difference, but I also have comp package.

No, the rolling diameter of the 245/35-19 and 245/40-18 are the same so comp vs non-comp doesn't make a difference

[M3PO]

The rolling diameter won't be much different. Regarding the wheel width/offset and tire width, you comp wheels are 19x9 +31. These VMR's will be about 3mm more aggressive (9mm further out from offset plus 6mm sunk in due to narrower width equals 3mm more aggressive).

If you are running the recommended 245 width summer tire on your ZCP wheels, the new tires will be 10 mm narrower meaning that the shoulder of the tire will be sunken in or stretched by 5mm.

Combine this 5mm sunken in (tire) with 3mm pushed out from above (wheel) and you end up 2mm sunken in, virtually no change. Of course, tire widths are supposed to be standard but some tires run wider than others but this estimate should be very close.

[Transfer]

Originally Posted by ERinEC

Are people typically going 245/40 for an 18 x 8.5" winter setup?

245/40/18 would be a better fit for the wheel and suspension/fenders IMO but 235/40 is acceptable. The OEM winter package is 235/40 on 18x8 et20. With either size, you will likely want spacers (~15mm) at least in the rear.

I'm using 245/40, 18x8, et20 with 12mm spacer in the rear and it looks great.

[slicer]

Too much!

[ERinEC]

Originally Posted by Transfer

245/40/18 would be a better fit for the wheel and suspension/fenders IMO but 235/40 is acceptable. The OEM winter package is 235/40 on 18x8 et20. With either size, you will likely want spacers (~15mm) at least in the rear.

I'm using 245/40, 18x8, et20 with 12mm spacer in the rear and it looks great.

Thanks for everyone's input.

I probably should have been more specific, as the wheel/tire package I'm considering is 18 x 8.5", ET20, 235/40 up front, and 18 x 9.5, ET22, 255/40 for the rears.

This post shows something similar, and it appears there is a lot of fender gap up front which I'm trying to avoid:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=767902

However, since I have comp package, wouldn't the gap be just a tad less?

[BMW Fanatic]

OEM winter set is actually 18x8 et20 - 235/40/18 all around. I don't have an OEM set for winter but my aftermarket set is the same spec and people might bag on your for running thin tires or whatever but 2 things to remember; 1) safety FIRST. 2) you're driving an M3.

[Transfer]

If you're going with staggered 235f, 255r then I think you have the sizing right and your comp package will reduce the gap by 1cm compared to non-comp. I debated the staggered setup and I'm glad I went mid-width square but your plan is good too.