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[threewide]

*edit*

Got my answer, so ended up buying new wheels as my original plan made no sense. Thanks all.

[jeff@autocouture]

that tire sounds way to small for a rear wheel....

[threewide]

Here are some other posts I've found, looks like the minimum?
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=585535

Alex, do you think it's a bad idea?

[ben@tirerack]

245/40R18 is recommended by the tire industry in general to mount on wheels between 8" and 9.5" wide. They will probably look somewhat stretched on an 9.5", but according to industry standards it would not be considered unsafe.

Chart here for reference: http://www.etmags.com/pdf_download_d...chart_2010.pdf

The problem is that you are trying to do square tires on staggered wheels, which rarely works out ideally. Usually a square 18" setup would be something like 265/35R18 or 275/35R18, but those sizes are too wide for your stock 8.5" front wheel.

[AP3X_FTW]

You need to either purchase two more rear wheels for the front, or purchase new wheels entirely. 245 square is hardly a desirable setup for an E9X M3.

[Inf4life]

It appears to me that you don't know the definition of a "squared" setup. Both the front and rear wheels need to be the same size. Generally people buy two sets of rear sizes for a squared set up.

[D08m3]

Just get 2 rear wheels and you're set. Then grab your tire of your choice all around. It's pointless to size down for the rear. I would return those 245's and grab 265's. Just my $0.02.

[threewide]

Thanks everyone, tirerack insists that it is ok but I feel I made a mistake and will be getting the 265's for the rear.

Originally Posted by Inf4life

It appears to me that you don't know the definition of a "squared" setup. Both the front and rear wheels need to be the same size. Generally people buy two sets of rear sizes for a squared set up.

Close, but I didn't say squared. I said "square up as much as I can", and it is two sets of front tires. I fully understand that ideally I would buy four of the same wheels, but I have in the past stretched the same size tires over a wider rear and it greatly improves turn in at autox.

[AP3X_FTW]

Originally Posted by threewide

Thanks everyone, tirerack insists that it is ok but I feel I made a mistake and will be getting the 265's for the rear.


Close, but I didn't say squared. I said "square up as much as I can", and it is two sets of front tires. I fully understand that ideally I would buy four of the same wheels, but I have in the past stretched the same size tires over a wider rear and it greatly improves turn in at autox.

It is difficult to understand your thought process here. One of the main reason's track enthusiasts run a square fitment is to have the ability to rotate effectively. This helps the tire budget tremendously each season. The second benefit is mitigating the factory understeer. A wider front wheel & tire combo provides more front end grip, allowing the car to turn-in better. The square fitment also creates a very neutral mid corner experience.

By under-sizing the rear tire to match the front, you have done the opposite. Not only can you not rotate this setup, you are not improving front end grip, as the front wheels/tires have remained unchanged. In other words, the rear wheel and tire combo should dictate the square fitment.

All you have done is sacrificed rear end grip, and left the rear wheels more exposed for potential damage.

[kaiv]

OP has stock OE 18s (8.5F / 9.5R) and instead of running the 245F / 265R he wants to run 245 square. Am I reading this right?! If so that's the most retarded thing I've heard in a while

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by kaiv

OP has stock OE 18s (8.5F / 9.5R) and instead of running the 245F / 265R he wants to run 245 square. Am I reading this right?! If so that's the most retarded thing I've heard in a while

for once i won't be mad at op. at one point you had no idea how square setups worked either. it's obvious he doesn't know what he was doing no need to call him retarded.

[Peertwelve]

Originally Posted by AP3X_FTW

It is difficult to understand your thought process here. One of the main reason's track enthusiasts run a square fitment is to have the ability to rotate effectively. This helps the tire budget tremendously each season. The second benefit is mitigating the factory understeer. A wider front wheel & tire combo provides more front end grip, allowing the car to turn-in better. The square fitment also creates a very neutral mid corner experience.

By under-sizing the rear tire to match the front, you have done the opposite. Not only can you not rotate this setup, you are not improving front end grip, as the front wheels/tires have remained unchanged. In other words, the rear wheel and tire combo should dictate the square fitment.

All you have done is sacrificed rear end grip, and left the rear wheels more exposed for potential damage.

Well said!

[AP3X_FTW]

Originally Posted by rjd598

for once i won't be mad at op. at one point you had no idea how square setups worked either. it's obvious he doesn't know what he was doing no need to call him retarded.

lol, I take it you don't know Kaiv

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by AP3X_FTW

lol, I take it you don't know Kaiv

lol no but i don't even troll that hard

[kaiv]

I am neither mad at OP nor did I call him retarded. It's the idea of running 245 square on stock staggered 18s that I called retarded. Which it is

Either way, hopefully OP gets it and runs a proper setup.

[Inf4life]

Originally Posted by rjd598

for once i won't be mad at op. at one point you had no idea how square setups worked either. it's obvious he doesn't know what he was doing no need to call him retarded.

That's what I told him as well. You can see his response to me above. I don't see a point in trying to "get as close to square as possible" by just changing the tire sizes and not the actual wheels themselves. Lol.