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[M33DDIE]

Looking like I will have to change all four tyres at the same time in the next year or so. I've been researching on the forums and it looks like I can go 275-30-19 on the front and 295-30-19 on the rear and these sizes are available in Pilot Super Sports.

One of the reasons I want to go bigger size is because I don't like the 245-35-19, 265-35-19 set up due to the stretch on the tyres. I've heard that 255-35 on the front will catch (my 245-35 catch at the moment on full lock) but 265-30 and 275-30 don't due to the rolling radius being less than the 245-35.

In fact the rolling radius is less for the 295-30 to the 265-35 too. I would like to do 275 on the front rather than 265 because it will keep the same width difference front to back as standard.

If I went this route would it make the handling worse in any way? Would it tramline bad with the wider rubber? Do you think I could get away with no spacers and the stance be the same as I have now with the 15/12mm spacers? Or do you think I may need a 5 or 10mm spacer on the front.

Advice welcome and any pics showing this set up would be great.

[jra85]

Pictures of my 275/295 setup here:
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...=597947&page=2

Regarding stance versus your 15/12mm spacer setup, it's a different kind of stance. With the 275/295 setup you will not have any room for spacers as the tires just barely fit as is. Instead of the wheels being more flush with the fenders and the tires rounding inwards under the fender when using spacers, it's now the tires that are almost flush with the fenders while the wheels are as they would be without spacers. You'd need to move to wheels with a different offset to get a more aggressive looking "wheel position" and still keep the wider tires.

Compared to the factory 245/265 Pirelli PZeros that my car arrived with, the steering feel seems slightly decreased with the wider tires and there is a little more tramlining. Overall though, I'm glad I made the switch and I love the setup for the street. Much more aggressive looking and definitely a noticeable increase in grip. And it may be placebo, but I think I notice a slight increase in acceleration due to the shorter effective gear ratio of the slightly smaller diameter tires

[M33DDIE]

Originally Posted by JAdamz

Pictures of my 275/295 setup here:
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...=597947&page=2

Regarding stance versus your 15/12mm spacer setup, it's a different kind of stance. With the 275/295 setup you will not have any room for spacers as the tires just barely fit as is. Instead of the wheels being more flush with the fenders and the tires rounding inwards under the fender when using spacers, it's now the tires that are almost flush with the fenders while the wheels are as they would be without spacers. You'd need to move to wheels with a different offset to get a more aggressive looking "wheel position" and still keep the wider tires.

Compared to the factory 245/265 Pirelli PZeros that my car arrived with, the steering feel seems slightly decreased with the wider tires and there is a little more tramlining. Overall though, I'm glad I made the switch and I love the setup for the street. Much more aggressive looking and definitely a noticeable increase in grip. And it may be placebo, but I think I notice a slight increase in acceleration due to the shorter effective gear ratio of the slightly smaller diameter tires

Thanks for that. Looks a lot better doesn't it! I'm running Eibach springs so mine should sit a little lower than yours.

I'd prefer not to run spacers to be fair.

[Dave07997S]

With the OEM ZCP wheels you will not rub with a 255/35/19. Its the AG 359s that have sometimes rubbed due to their more aggressive offset. Yes a 275/30/19 and 295/30/19 will fit on OEM ZCP wheels, its not going to be optimal.

You need a 9.5"+ front and 10.5"+ rear to properly support the sidewall.

I have run now 3 different brands of tires with a 2011 and 2013 ZCP car with GTS size tires and none of them have ever rubbed.

Dave

[Ant Man]

Originally Posted by M33DDIE

Looking like I will have to change all four tyres at the same time in the next year or so. I've been researching on the forums and it looks like I can go 275-30-19 on the front and 295-30-19 on the rear and these sizes are available in Pilot Super Sports.

One of the reasons I want to go bigger size is because I don't like the 245-35-19, 265-35-19 set up due to the stretch on the tyres. I've heard that 255-35 on the front will catch (my 245-35 catch at the moment on full lock) but 265-30 and 275-30 don't due to the rolling radius being less than the 245-35.

In fact the rolling radius is less for the 295-30 to the 265-35 too. I would like to do 275 on the front rather than 265 because it will keep the same width difference front to back as standard.

If I went this route would it make the handling worse in any way? Would it tramline bad with the wider rubber? Do you think I could get away with no spacers and the stance be the same as I have now with the 15/12mm spacers? Or do you think I may need a 5 or 10mm spacer on the front.

Advice welcome and any pics showing this set up would be great.

Do Michelin make an M3 approved front tyre in 275 width? I know they do a 255 but a 275 for the front?

[slicer]

Originally Posted by Ant Man

Do Michelin make an M3 approved front tyre in 275 width? I know they do a 255 but a 275 for the front?

No and "bmw approved" really doesn't mean much. I wouldn't worry about that.

[slicer]

Originally Posted by Dave07997S

With the OEM ZCP wheels you will not rub with a 255/35/19. Its the AG 359s that have sometimes rubbed due to their more aggressive offset. Yes a 275/30/19 and 295/30/19 will fit on OEM ZCP wheels, its not going to be optimal.

You need a 9.5"+ front and 10.5"+ rear to properly support the sidewall.

I have run now 3 different brands of tires with a 2011 and 2013 ZCP car with GTS size tires and none of them have ever rubbed.

Dave

Amen.

[Ant Man]

Originally Posted by slicer

No and "bmw approved" really doesn't mean much. I wouldn't worry about that.

I understand Michelin do not recommend running tyres designed for the rear on the front axle.

[Dave07997S]

Originally Posted by Ant Man

I understand Michelin do not recommend running tyres designed for the rear on the front axle.

Thats not what he meant, what he meant is that don't put to much emphasis on a BMW approved tire.

Dave

[slicer]

Originally Posted by Ant Man

I understand Michelin do not recommend running tyres designed for the rear on the front axle.

BMW recommends that you keep your car stock, OEM in every way.... If you want to do only what BMW recommends then I wouldn't hang around this forum

[Ant Man]

Originally Posted by slicer

BMW recommends that you keep your car stock, OEM in every way.... If you want to do only what BMW recommends then I wouldn't hang around this forum

I didn't mention BMW. I mentioned Michelin. Michelin do not recommend rear tyres on the front axle. Also as an enormous about of effort goes into the front tyre's shoulders for specific car applications, you are likely to find a non BMW approved Pilot Super Sport tyre is different to the M3 approved tyre and likely to effect the handling. I had a good discussion with a Michelin engineer at the Goodwood FoS and will heed his advice. If a customer wants to run different sizes, Michelin can advise on the above and the most suitable tyre for one's requirements.

[slicer]

Originally Posted by Ant Man

I didn't mention BMW. I mentioned Michelin. Michelin do not recommend rear tyres on the front axle. Also as an enormous about of effort goes into the front tyre's shoulders for specific car applications, you are likely to find a non BMW approved Pilot Super Sport tyre is different to the M3 approved tyre and likely to effect the handling. I had a good discussion with a Michelin engineer at the Goodwood FoS and will heed his advice. If a customer wants to run different sizes, Michelin can advise on the above and the most suitable tyre for one's requirements.

I missed that you were referring to Michelin but my point is still the same. I'm gathering that your point is that a "bmw spec" Michelin tire has a front and a rear version. Then in effect you want to avoid putting one of the "bmw spec" michelin's designated for the front of the car onto the rear of the car. Correct? Are you also trying to say that every Michelin tire has a front or rear designation? If so that's news to me...

The thread is about putting tires in NON OEM sizes on OEM wheels. There is not a tire in existence that has been officially tested and approved by BMW, Michelin, or anyone for a BMW M3 under these circumstances. There is no point in seeking "bmw spec" tires unless you are installing the OEM tire sizes. Even at that, I personally don't think it's worth the trouble. For example, I would much rather run the new and improved Michelin PSS than the older PS2. There is not a PSS in existence that has been tested and approved as a "bmw spec" for an E92. There is a 255/35/19 PSS approved for an F80 but why go through the trouble of seeking out "bmw spec" when the testing and effort was done for a completely different car? If you want "bmw spec" Michelin then you have to go with the older and now outdated PS2 in OEM sizes.

Next... Once you go with a non OEM size all bets are off. All of the special tire testing you are referring to is immaterial. A run of the mill Michelin tire that isn't a "BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, etc spec" is not designated for front or rear. You buy the tire size you want, make sure the load rating is appropriate, and that's all you can do. Please show me anywhere on any Michelin tire that says it's designated for front or rear fitment. It is great that you have someone at Michelin who is willing to give you tire advice. BUT, I have a hard time believing that any advice they give you regarding a tire that is outside of OEM sizes will be based on actual testing of the sidewall's performance on your e92 M3's front or rear axle.