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[swifty]

Please advice if the tires will be stretched too much on a 265 or 255 ... Thanks.

[slicer]

I would definitely not use a 255 or 265 on a 11" wheel no matter what. Anything beyond that is somewhat dependent upon the aspect ratio. I have a 285/35/18 on a 11" wheel and that is about as stretched as I would want to go. 275/35/18 on a 11" wheel is within Michelin's published specs but a 275/30/19 has a maximum width of 10". The height of the sidewall on a 35 series 275 gives it the ability to stretch further.

[swifty]

Ok thanks.

235 and 255 on a zcp is acceptable tho right.

[slicer]

Originally Posted by swifty

Ok thanks.

235 and 255 on a zcp is acceptable tho right.

I don't know. Check the tire manufacturers specs. You putting them on a 335i?

[swifty]

Originally Posted by slicer

I don't know. Check the tire manufacturers specs. You putting them on a 335i?

No, the M. Will be here in 2 weeks so want to have the tires ready to switch 'em right away.

I don't want to go 265 in the rear cuz a narrower tire is better in the snow. Just want to make sure the tires won't be stretched on the zcp.

[atermechi]

Originally Posted by swifty

No, the M. Will be here in 2 weeks so want to have the tires ready to switch 'em right away.

I don't want to go 265 in the rear cuz a narrower tire is better in the snow. Just want to make sure the tires won't be stretched on the zcp.

you can do a 255 on the rear but it looks kinda funny

[slicer]

Originally Posted by swifty

No, the M. Will be here in 2 weeks so want to have the tires ready to switch 'em right away.

I don't want to go 265 in the rear cuz a narrower tire is better in the snow. Just want to make sure the tires won't be stretched on the zcp.

I would get some used OEM 18's for winter use. Otherwise I would run OEM tire sizes or 255/35/19 and 265/35/19 or 255/35/19 and 275/35/19 on ZCP wheels. Remember that narrower tires will be shorter with less side-wall (assuming same aspect ratio). I prefer a little extra sidewall, especially in the winter. The problem is zcp's are wide... Stretching tires leaves the wheels more exposed for damage.

[Dave07997S]

A 275/30/19 is going to be uber stretched on a 11" wide wheel. For me a 285 would be the minimum I would run on a 11" wide rim. Really should be a 295 tire with a 305 being a real nice fit. BTW, the ZCP wheels are only 10" wide out back..where did the 11" wide come from. A 235 tire on a 9" wide front wheel is also going to be stretched but it will work.

Dave

[swifty]

Ok so initially I was going to use another set in 18s for this winter but the rears on the 18 were 11 inch wide and which after hearing what you guys have stated, won't work in winter.

So the only choice now is to use the zcp. So what you guys are saying is a 245 & 265 front and back is the best to use on those wheels. Or get a set of OEM 18s.

[happos2]

Originally Posted by slicer

I would get some used OEM 18's for winter use. Otherwise I would run OEM tire sizes or 245/35/19 and 265/35/19 or 255/35/19 and 275/35/19 on ZCP wheels. Remember that narrower tires will be shorter with less side-wall (assuming same aspect ratio). I prefer a little extra sidewall, especially in he winter. The problem is zcp's are wide... Stretching tires leaves the wheels more exposed for damage.

fixed.

OP: Run the ZCP with 245/265. Yes narrower is better, however the difference between the 255 and 265 in the rear will not make that great of a difference on the M.

[swifty]

Thank you.

[slicer]

Originally Posted by happos2

fixed.

OP: Run the ZCP with 245/265. Yes narrower is better, however the difference between the 255 and 265 in the rear will not make that great of a difference on the M.

FYI it may not have been clear in my post but I was suggesting OEM sizes (245/265) or 255/265 (commonly chosen sizing because blizzak LM60's and LM32's aren't available in 245/35/19) or 255/275. As far as I know, there are not any snow tires made in OEM sizes (245/265).

[happos2]

Originally Posted by slicer

FYI it may not have been clear in my post but I was suggesting OEM sizes (245/265) or 255/265 (commonly chosen sizing because blizzak LM60's and LM32's aren't available in 245/35/19) or 255/275. As far as I know, there are not any snow tires made in OEM sizes (245/265).

I see your point. I read it as OEM was 255/265 and was like "oh no he didn't". You make a valid point.

[slicer]

Originally Posted by happos2

I see your point. I read it as OEM was 255/265 and was like "oh no he didn't". You make a valid point.

That's what I thought. I guess its possible that I could make a mistake.... But very unlikely.

[apecush]

Originally Posted by swifty

I don't want to go 265 in the rear cuz a narrower tire is better in the snow. Just want to make sure the tires won't be stretched on the zcp.

don't be so sure of that. that might have been the case 20 years ago with old tire technology, but it isn't today with snow tires.

I run 265 f/r and have far more traction (both stopping and starting) than my wife's car running 205 tires. More surface area = more grip on loose snow, and a bigger contact patch on ice.

[swifty]

Ok, I just read another post from a member here in Canada who stated that the following...

" OEM 245/265 tires are just too small for the ZCP wheels. The stock (summer) tires are already very stretched, and he explained that the issue is exacerbated with winters, which generally need to be slightly larger for a given size of wheel.

I also saw a thread on bimmerpost where that actually happened to someone. The guy brought his tires to the dealership and they tried and tried but could not fit his winter 246/265 tires on his (stock) ZCP wheels.

The tire shop even had trouble installing my 255/ 275 tires, so I'm glad I didn't go any smaller!"

This is getting more interesting by the minute. Funny thing is I can't even find blizzaks in 19s for the m3 on tirerack or discounttires.

Also Lm60 is better than LM32?

[slicer]

Originally Posted by swifty

Ok, I just read another post from a member here in Canada who stated that the following...

" OEM 245/265 tires are just too small for the ZCP wheels. The stock (summer) tires are already very stretched, and he explained that the issue is exacerbated with winters, which generally need to be slightly larger for a given size of wheel.

I also saw a thread on bimmerpost where that actually happened to someone. The guy brought his tires to the dealership and they tried and tried but could not fit his winter 246/265 tires on his (stock) ZCP wheels.

The tire shop even had trouble installing my 255/ 275 tires, so I'm glad I didn't go any smaller!"

This is getting more interesting by the minute. Funny thing is I can't even find blizzaks in 19s for the m3 on tirerack or discounttires.

Also Lm60 is better than LM32?

Yes; snows do run a little narrow even with the same "size". I'm not surprised to hear the above results. I have personally never ran 19" snows on an M3 and don't recommend it. I have ran 19" snows on my now gone S8 but that car had larger overall diameter tires so it fit a 255/40/19. Tire rack has a few options in the sizes you are looking for. You may need to search differently or call them. Sometimes their search tool is a little finicky. I am huge fan of tirerack and would definitely order from them. I did a quick look and here are some of the snow tire options available.

255/275 (35):
Bridgestone Blizzak
LM60
LM32


255/265 (35):
Pirelli Winter Sottozero Serie II

[happos2]

Originally Posted by apecush

don't be so sure of that. that might have been the case 20 years ago with old tire technology, but it isn't today with snow tires.

I run 265 f/r and have far more traction (both stopping and starting) than my wife's car running 205 tires. More surface area = more grip on loose snow, and a bigger contact patch on ice.

Not necessarily true. Fatter tires on loose snow will tend to float which is not what you want. The narrower tire will dig through the snow better and not float. The tread technology is not the only important part. Does your wife drive an M3 as well? If not, you are comparing apples to oranges as tires are only part of the equation with traction. My friend in college had a 350Z with similar tires that are on my M3 and he would get stuck way more often. Traction control, weight, type of driving, etc vary how good your traction is, not just tire technology.


I have 19" blizzaks on the OEM 220s. Forget size and which ones...will look tonight and update. However, doesn't help too much since they are not ZCP wheels.

[swifty]

^ 220s are half inch smaller from what i gather but let me know the sizes you are running.

I do agree that the car is a factor because my dads old Lexus GS w/winter tires were a nightmare in the winter where as I used to drive the e39 530 on all seasons in the winter with not much issues other than on the worst days.

I'm checking with the dealer now to see if they will just exchange the summers for the winter before they deliver it.

[slicer]

Originally Posted by happos2

Not necessarily true. Fatter tires on loose snow will tend to float which is not what you want. The narrower tire will dig through the snow better and not float. The tread technology is not the only important part. Does your wife drive an M3 as well? If not, you are comparing apples to oranges as tires are only part of the equation with traction. My friend in college had a 350Z with similar tires that are on my M3 and he would get stuck way more often. Traction control, weight, type of driving, etc vary how good your traction is, not just tire technology.

Word! You speak the truth.

[LarThaL]

Just get good high performance snow tires in stock sizes. You will be fine unless you routinely plan on driving in deep snow. As someone here has already mentioned, pick a set of stock 18" wheels and go with 245/40 and 265/40.

An 11" wheel is best suited for a 295 or even a 305 tire.

[happos2]

Originally Posted by swifty

^ 220s are half inch smaller from what i gather but let me know the sizes you are running.

I do agree that the car is a factor because my dads old Lexus GS w/winter tires were a nightmare in the winter where as I used to drive the e39 530 on all seasons in the winter with not much issues other than on the worst days.

I'm checking with the dealer now to see if they will just exchange the summers for the winter before they deliver it.

I am running 235/255 LM60s in the winter. I treat the OEM 220m wheels as my 'crappy' set so I don't have much sidewall protection (especially on the front). However, I don't drive very often as I ride my bicycle many places!). Ideally 245/265 on the 8.5/9.5 wheel would fit the best.

You can scour the forums for a set of 18" wheels with tires included (used for 1-2 season) and get them at the cost for winter tires. That would be the best. I have seen as low as $800...