Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[adrenal1n]

Hello guys,

I'm new to this forum but not new to the BMWs. I'm happy to be a member now. I think I'll learn here many things about the M3 E92.
I currently have 08' 123d M-Sport but I'm waiting to get my 13' M3 E92 Competition Package next week.

I have a question concerning the winter package on the M3. It has H&R Race Springs (the red ones) and is currently running on 20" OZ Superleggera, Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta tires, 245/30/20 F and 295/25/20 ET25 R with spacers all round.

I'm now looking for 19" winter wheels and tires. I think I already chose the wheels - BBS CH-R. So the options are:

9x19 ET20 F and 10,5x19 ET25 R
8,5x19 ET32 F and 9,5x19 ET35 R

I searched the TireRack for winter packages and for 19" the only recommended tire size is 235/35/19 F and 255/35/19 R. Here on M3Post the alternate tire size is 255/35/19 F and 275/35/19 R. I think these sizes will not be good enough because we have lots of potholes here in Bulgaria.

What I'm thinking of is getting 245/40/19 F and 265/40/19 R. Will they fit the car considering that it has H&R Race Springs on it?

Any other suggestions are welcome, too.

[sumadaz]

Ben, it was suggested that I post my question here:

I came across a great deal on a set of VMR V710s in 18x9.5 et22 all around. I will be using these as my winter wheels for now. I have read through countless threads and I still don't know if these will rub. I would like to put the Blizzak WS80 on these wheels and they come in the following sizes:
225/40R18 92H
225/45R18 95H
225/50R18 95T
225/55R18 98H
225/60R18 100H
235/50R18 101H
245/40R18 97H
245/50R18 104H
255/35R18 90H

Anybody have any recommendations on which tires to get with the 18x9.5 et22 wheels? I would like to not have to use spacers if at all possible.

My other concern is whether or not the 9.5 et22 all around will make the front too aggressive and might look weird. Any thoughts on that?

[ben@tirerack]

Originally Posted by sumadaz

Ben, it was suggested that I post my question here:

I came across a great deal on a set of VMR V710s in 18x9.5 et22 all around. I will be using these as my winter wheels for now. I have read through countless threads and I still don't know if these will rub. I would like to put the Blizzak WS80 on these wheels and they come in the following sizes:
225/40R18 92H
225/45R18 95H
225/50R18 95T
225/55R18 98H
225/60R18 100H
235/50R18 101H
245/40R18 97H
245/50R18 104H
255/35R18 90H

Anybody have any recommendations on which tires to get with the 18x9.5 et22 wheels? I would like to not have to use spacers if at all possible.

My other concern is whether or not the 9.5 et22 all around will make the front too aggressive and might look weird. Any thoughts on that?

18x9.5 is a little bit aggressive on the front, but not crazy. I've seen 18x10 w/ similar offset and 265/35R18 or 275/35R18 run for square track setups. So while it can vary slightly from car to car, you're unlikely to have any major issue with rubbing.

Most of the sizes that you list are too small for the wheel. 245/40R18 and 255/35R18 would both fit. 255/35R18 will cover the wheel width better but is slightly shorter than standard. 245/40R18 matches the height of the stock front tire, but will probably look a little little bit stretchy on 9.5" wheel.

[ben@tirerack]

Originally Posted by adrenal1n

Hello guys,

I'm new to this forum but not new to the BMWs. I'm happy to be a member now. I think I'll learn here many things about the M3 E92.
I currently have 08' 123d M-Sport but I'm waiting to get my 13' M3 E92 Competition Package next week.

I have a question concerning the winter package on the M3. It has H&R Race Springs (the red ones) and is currently running on 20" OZ Superleggera, Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta tires, 245/30/20 F and 295/25/20 ET25 R with spacers all round.

I'm now looking for 19" winter wheels and tires. I think I already chose the wheels - BBS CH-R. So the options are:

9x19 ET20 F and 10,5x19 ET25 R
8,5x19 ET32 F and 9,5x19 ET35 R

I searched the TireRack for winter packages and for 19" the only recommended tire size is 235/35/19 F and 255/35/19 R. Here on M3Post the alternate tire size is 255/35/19 F and 275/35/19 R. I think these sizes will not be good enough because we have lots of potholes here in Bulgaria.

What I'm thinking of is getting 245/40/19 F and 265/40/19 R. Will they fit the car considering that it has H&R Race Springs on it?

Any other suggestions are welcome, too.

Welcome to the forum!

The 245/40R19 will rub in the front. These M3s tolerate wide widths in front but not tall height. Even 255/35R19 may rub a little when you are lowered. If you want to run a 40 aspect ratio, get some 18" wheels.

[zorrro]

As promised, here are pics of my A7's with my 12.5/15 spacers. Pic of my summer setup for reference.

[sumadaz]

Ben, a couple more questions for you. Will a 17x8 wheel work on an 08 e90 m3? If so, what offset and tire size should I go with for a square winter setup? Thanks again for your help!

[ben@tirerack]

Originally Posted by sumadaz

Ben, a couple more questions for you. Will a 17x8 wheel work on an 08 e90 m3? If so, what offset and tire size should I go with for a square winter setup? Thanks again for your help!

The 17" wheels generally will not clear the M3 brakes.

[sumadaz]

Edit: Emailed!

[drink schlitz]

Has anyone ran Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 in 245/40/18 on the OEM 18s? I ask since the OEM 18s are staggered widths, 8.5" in the front and 9.5" in the rear. So I'm wondering how well a square 245/40/18 setup would work. Thanks

[pbonsalb]

I run 255/40 and 235/40 on staggered 18s. Square on staggered wheels offers no benefits since you should not put the big wheels in front for rotation purposes and dismounting the tires sucks for rotation purposes. Plus rears wear out about twice as fast as fronts.

[drink schlitz]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

I run 255/40 and 235/40 on staggered 18s. Square on staggered wheels offers no benefits since you should not put the big wheels in front for rotation purposes and dismounting the tires sucks for rotation purposes. Plus rears wear out about twice as fast as fronts.

No benefits, but would there be any problems? I would love to run 235s up front and 255s in the rear, but the PA4s only come in 245/40/18. And by all accounts those are excellent winter tires and sound like exactly what I want.

For 235 front/255 rear, Tirerack has Blizzak LM-32, Dunlop Winter Sport 3D, and Pilot Alpin PA2. I haven't found a ton of information on those tires but they don't seem like competition for the PA4.

[ben@tirerack]

Originally Posted by drink schlitz

No benefits, but would there be any problems? I would love to run 235s up front and 255s in the rear, but the PA4s only come in 245/40/18. And by all accounts those are excellent winter tires and sound like exactly what I want.

For 235 front/255 rear, Tirerack has Blizzak LM-32, Dunlop Winter Sport 3D, and Pilot Alpin PA2. I haven't found a ton of information on those tires but they don't seem like competition for the PA4.

Other than the slightly odd appearance and less curb protection for the rear wheel there wouldn't be any functional problems.

[Guyver]

I just put on my winter setup (Miro 111 18x8.5, 245/40/18 all around) and it shakes a little bit at high speed (over 70 mph). Car has been balanced and rims and tires are all brand new. Anyone have similar issues or an idea of why it's happening?

[drink schlitz]

Originally Posted by ben@tirerack

Other than the slightly odd appearance and less curb protection for the rear wheel there wouldn't be any functional problems.

Thanks. What are the odds Michelin starts making the PA4 in a size appropriate for a staggered 18" setup? (Like 255/40 or 265/40)

[SpacegrayMe90]

Originally Posted by Guyver

I just put on my winter setup (Miro 111 18x8.5, 245/40/18 all around) and it shakes a little bit at high speed (over 70 mph). Car has been balanced and rims and tires are all brand new. Anyone have similar issues or an idea of why it's happening?

Did you buy your winter setup new or used? If used did you check for slight bends in the wheels? Where did you get your balance done at? Sometimes the tire technicians don't always get right the first time. Bring the car back, or try another location. I had the same vibration over 65 mph when I put on my winter setup that I purchased used. The problem was the weights were not properly placed on rim from the prior balancing, and also too much weights were on the rim causing it to be out of spec.

[ben@tirerack]

Originally Posted by drink schlitz

Thanks. What are the odds Michelin starts making the PA4 in a size appropriate for a staggered 18" setup? (Like 255/40 or 265/40)

No chance this winter. Possible for next winter.

[ZEEM3R]

Originally Posted by ben@tirerack

No chance this winter. Possible for next winter.

I am about to purchase a set of tires/wheels but before I do, I just wanted to clarify something. Is the main difference between the Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 Blackwall and the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-32 that the LM-32 has some performance capabilities while the WS80 gives up the performance for maximum traction on snow/ice? Im in NY and after the winter we had here last year, Im leaning towards the WS80 and just wanted to be sure. Don't mind giving up some performance for safety for a few months.

[aka_phox]

Where can I get the Michelin Pilot Sport All Seasons M&S tires?

275/35/19

I just checked TireRack and they only have the run-flat version?

Someone chime in.

Thanks

[ben@tirerack]

Originally Posted by ZEEM3R

I am about to purchase a set of tires/wheels but before I do, I just wanted to clarify something. Is the main difference between the Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 Blackwall and the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-32 that the LM-32 has some performance capabilities while the WS80 gives up the performance for maximum traction on snow/ice? Im in NY and after the winter we had here last year, Im leaning towards the WS80 and just wanted to be sure. Don't mind giving up some performance for safety for a few months.

You have it right. WS80 is a little better for snow and significantly better for ice. The LM32 will handle better when roads are clear.

[ben@tirerack]

Originally Posted by aka_phox

Where can I get the Michelin Pilot Sport All Seasons M&S tires?

275/35/19

I just checked TireRack and they only have the run-flat version?

Someone chime in.

Thanks

There was a Pilot Sport All-Season. That is long gone, and was replaced with the All-Season Plus. The Plus is what I am guessing you have unless they're really old.

The Pilot Sport All-Season Plus is discontinued in most sizes, replaced with the Pilot Sport All-Season 3. We sold the last of the 275/35R19 All-Season Plus in summer of 2013. The All-Season 3 is currently available.

If you want to get the old tread pattern, scour ebay, craigslist, forum for-sale threads etc. There may be a few floating around, though probably few and far between.

[Guyver]

Here is my setup:

Miro 111s, 18x8.5, ET20 all around (you would need hub centric rings for these)

Michelin PA4 245x18 all around, fantastic tires

[ZEEM3R]

Originally Posted by ben@tirerack

You have it right. WS80 is a little better for snow and significantly better for ice. The LM32 will handle better when roads are clear.

Just placed my order! Thanks.