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[DaFish]

Hi, I have a 2011 ZCP Competition package M3 coming - I am pretty pumped.... I am really warming up to the rims that are 1/2" wider than the OEM 19" 220s, but the tires look too small now (stretched). The tires are the same size as the stock M3 - 245/35/19 and 265/35/19.

I wanted to start a thread to figure out what are the options were for the tires on the ZCP rims and possibly a discussion on the best tires.

GOAL: I want the car to handle the best it can using street (non track) tires.

1) What is the max tire size I can get on the front 9" rim to give max handling?
- I have been told that 255/35 and 275/35 is ideal for the 9" and 10" rims. I had 255/30`s on my 335 on 9" rims and I was told I can go 1 size up to 265s.
- will a 265/30 and a 285/30 work? Will they fit on the rims, as well as in terms of diameter (speedo issues)? and will it handle better than the stock 245/265?
- should I drop a series to 30 vs the stock 35? What are the pros and cons of that?

2) See the first question, given the max tire on the front, what is the guideline for the rear to keep the stagger, or reduce the stagger for a more square setup and better handling (ideally)?
- can you go 265/30 and a 275/35 ? (2 sizes up front (30 not 35 series), 1 size up rear (35 series))
- should you mix series? (my 335 did)

As for tires, lets start off with PS2s and once we get the size right, then go into the different tires.

If I could ask, please answer in terms of turn in sharpness, steering responsiveness, add/remove understeer, ride quality, wet/dry handling qualities, and wear life.

Thanks everyone.

Here are pics of the ZCP stretched tire....

[isugoo]

A few things to I know:
1. Not a tire expert but M3 GTS comes with: 19x9, 19x10 wheels with 255/35/19 and 285/30/19.

2. I have 19x8.5, 19x9.5 SF71 wheels and put 255/35/19 and 275/35/19 and looks pretty damn good but according to tirerack, 255 is ideal for 9" wheel and 275 is ideal for 9.5" wheel.

3. One of member put 265/30/19 on the 19x8.5 wheels, it was a bit too wide for 8.5 at least in the pictures.

4. I still don't think it's good idea to replace brand new PS2 just because of stretch look. Just keep them and enjoy. You'll need a new set in a year anyway.

[SuitedPair]

(wondering the same thing)...subscribed...

[DaFish]

Originally Posted by isugoo

A few things to I know:
1. Not a tire expert but M3 GTS comes with: 19x9, 19x10 wheels with 255/35/19 and 285/30/19.

2. I have 19x8.5, 19x9.5 SF71 wheels and put 255/35/19 and 275/35/19 and looks pretty damn good but according to tirerack, 255 is ideal for 9" wheel and 275 is ideal for 9.5" wheel.

3. One of member put 265/30/19 on the 19x8.5 wheels, it was a bit too wide for 8.5 at least in the pictures.

4. I still don't think it's good idea to replace brand new PS2 just because of stretch look. Just keep them and enjoy. You'll need a new set in a year anyway.

I had posted a similar question on another thread, and had a pretty good answer back... but not 100% what I wanted.

Originally Posted by GewoW

OK:

1- GTS can deal with +30 offset because it has more power. I think if you mess up the +20 offset in the stock car, you will have more understeer
2- 255/275 fits those rims perfectly
3- yes you can put 265 on 9s. It will not look weird, but it will screw up your balance. If you have 265 fronts with the same sidewall as the back it will be a slightly taller tire than the 245s that would be there already. The car would basically be raised a little in the front
4- if you put 265s in the front and rear, you will have more oversteer - something I do not suggest on the street
5- the wheel wells on the GTS look more full because the suspension is lower

I HOPE this helps!

What if we went 265/30 and 285/30 ?

Then again, as you said above, the GTS is going with a 255/35 front and 285/30 rear - why should I second guess that ? - but it does increase the stagger which worries me.

[Richbot]

If I were replacing the tires on my car today, I'd get 265/35-18's front and 285/35-18's in the rear. Less stagger, more rim protection, shorter sidewall, more rubber on the road, will definitely absolutely fit on the stock wheels (which I need to keep) with ease, and they're available in the tires I want. I'd do the same if I had 19's, only I'd go for 30 series.

10" wheels are plenty wide for 295's too, you might consider that. In my experience, square setups on BMW's don't help understeer nearly as much as the right amount of front camber, so a little bit wider tires won't immediately make it a pushy pig.

Like they said, they'll wear out fast enough, just use them up.

[signes]

I think I've found the outer limit (or a little over) with 275/30 and 295/30 (AD08s) on my 9" and 10" wide wheels (ET 22 both F and R). I would probably go down to 265/30 up front if I did it again (even though it is almost 2% shorter than stock), but wanted to keep the stagger at OEM or less and there is no 285/30 in the AD08... hence the 275 up front. Also the closest to OEM diameters.

[buddster]

Hard to get everything you want. For example: If you want to stay close to OEM wheel sizes, 255/35 and 295/30 are pretty close with AD-08's. Plus it's probably step up tire over the PS2, but your stagger is bigger.

If you use 265/30 up front, you're decreasing your front tire size by 1/2 inch and increasing your front wheel gap by 1/4 inch.

RE-11's and AD-08's are considered among if not the best in the category, but your sizes are limited. With RE-11's, you can go 255/35 and 285/35, and go with a 30mm stagger while still being close to OEM sizes.

PS2 let's you go 275/35 in the rear if you want. AD-08's force you to go 275/30 in the rear which is .8 inch smaller than stock. Quite a bit. No perfect answer.

[sehrgut]

woah that do look really stretched.

[hotrain]

Wonder if BMW recommended tire sizes, which is same as OEM 19s, do reflect optimal performance.

[Boost Gomez]

If I were you, I would go 275/30 front 295/30 rear.