30 Series vs 35 Series Tires

Scharbag · 03-25-2020, 01:39 PM

I did a search but could not find anything that compared and contrasted 30 and 35 series tires.

I would like to hear if people have tried 255/30/19F and 275/30/19R tires on their M3s and if the ride is overly harsh due to the reduced sidewall. I am thinking of trying this for a couple reasons. First reason is this gives me a 4% change in final drive. Secondly, while running 15/12 F/R spacers, I get just a little rub on the fronts when navigating parking lots and the rears rub very lightly if I hit a big bump when the car is heavily loaded.

I am currently running 255/35/19F and 275/35/19R PS4S tires. I really like the fitment of these widths. For gearing (I moved from the prairies to Vancouver Island so I no longer drive on the highway much), I might consider going to 245/30/19F and 265/30/19R when I buy tires later this year to pickup another 1% on final drive. I do kick myself for selling my 4.10 diff...

Anyway, I appreciate any feedback I can get regarding the 30 series tires.

Cheers,

SAMM3Y · 03-25-2020, 02:02 PM

I recently switched to 275/30/19 rear from 295/30/19 rear. The car is noticeably more athletic especially in third/fourth gear high rev range. Saved 3lbs/tire too as well as weight in the wheels I changed to for a total weight savings of 6lbs per rear wheel. At first I thought the car looked really funny having. 275/30/19 rear, I didn't like it, but it has grown on me. The ride is harsh but I live in the land with the highest road/gas taxes and the poorest roads.

Scharbag · 03-25-2020, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAMM3Y

I recently switched to 275/30/19 rear from 295/30/19 rear. The car is noticeably more athletic especially in third/fourth gear high rev range. Saved 3lbs/tire too as well as weight in the wheels I changed to for a total weight savings of 6lbs per rear wheel. At first I thought the car looked really funny having. 275/30/19 rear, I didn't like it, but it has grown on me. The ride is harsh but I live in the land with the highest road/gas taxes and the poorest roads.

Thanks!

And I know for a fact that Saskatchewan roads are waaaaay worse than your roads in NorCal!!! NorCal is like smooth butter compared to the winter beaten shite in SK.

Thank gawd I moved to Victoria where the roads are generally really nice. My left nut to have my 4.10 gears back but such is life. Perhaps in the future I will buy a 4.10 again - likely once my factory 3.85 needs a rebuild.

Cheers,

pbonsalb · 03-25-2020, 04:45 PM

I am thinking about trying 285/30/18 or 295/30/18 in place of the 295/35/18 that I am running now and was also curious about ride. My fronts would stay 265/35/18. The goal would be to effectively shorten the final drive. Going to a 285/30/18 rear on a 6MT with 3.85 gives the equivalent of a 4.10.

Scharbag · 03-25-2020, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

I am thinking about trying 285/30/18 or 295/30/18 in place of the 295/35/18 that I am running now and was also curious about ride. My fronts would stay 265/35/18. The goal would be to effectively shorten the final drive. Going to a 285/30/18 rear on a 6MT with 3.85 gives the equivalent of a 4.10.

Yeah, 4.10 is 6.5% shorter than 3.85. If I go from 275/35/19 to 275/30/19, that gets me a 4.1% shorter FD which will be noticible. Basically, works out to be a 4.00 rear end relative to what I am running now (or a 3.96 compared to factory size rear tires). I just do not want the ride to get silly harsh.

Thanks again for the input.

Cheers,

Yugo · 03-25-2020, 08:42 PM

I am currently running 285/30/19 it's just perfect! Not harsh ride, looks great. Had stock size 18's before.

Scharbag · 03-26-2020, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yugo

I am currently running 285/30/19 it's just perfect! Not harsh ride, looks great. Had stock size 18's before.

It does not look like PS4S are available in 285/30/19 size...

Yugo · 03-26-2020, 06:42 PM

Correct, they are not available yet. I went w pss.

SAMM3Y · 03-26-2020, 11:31 PM

So I did the calculator between the 295/30/19 and 275/30/19 which is my current setup coming from the previous. The overall diameter difference is only about 12mm, with 275/35 and 275/30 the difference is 26mm which is obviously more substantial. I think your concerns will be aesthetic as well as ride comfort, I'm still not sold on mine, it looks funny, might be the wheels I'm using too but I just don't think it looks right on the rear end. I used a 12mm spacer too to try and fatten it up back there. It grows on me more but I loved having that fatty rear, maybe a 285/30/19 is a good compromise, won't get the fd ratio though you desire.

OmairK · 03-26-2020, 11:37 PM

Any reason why we don't select the XL load rating for the PS4S or the PSS?

Omair

//steve\\ · 03-27-2020, 06:53 AM

I don't think tires make all that much difference in ride harshness. I've certainly never in my life changed tires and suddenly felt like the car ride significantly different for better or worse. Suspension plays a lot more to that IMO.

I'm running overall smaller sizes than OE and no real complaints. 265/35/18 front and 295/30/18 rear.

pbonsalb · 03-27-2020, 08:11 AM

What brand/model 295/30/18?

Richbot · 03-27-2020, 08:27 AM

I use the 275/30-19 square on 9.5" 220M's. I really like it. Not as much as an 18" setup, but it works great.

285/30-19 on a 9.5 is an OEM Mercedes rear fitment.

Try 275/30-19 front and rear, on your staggered ZCP wheels. If you hate it, you've got a spare pair of rears. A 275/30-19 on a 9" rim isn't going to look that pinched, the 275/30-19 PS4S I have on my 9.5's are even just a hair stretched-looking, because of the short sidewall you don't get near as much bulge as pinching a taller-sidewall tire.

Scharbag · 03-27-2020, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richbot

I use the 275/30-19 square on 9.5" 220M's. I really like it. Not as much as an 18" setup, but it works great.

285/30-19 on a 9.5 is an OEM Mercedes rear fitment.

Try 275/30-19 front and rear, on your staggered ZCP wheels. If you hate it, you've got a spare pair of rears. A 275/30-19 on a 9" rim isn't going to look that pinched, the 275/30-19 PS4S I have on my 9.5's are even just a hair stretched-looking, because of the short sidewall you don't get near as much bulge as pinching a taller-sidewall tire.

Oof, with 15mm front spacers, I would worry about rub with 275/30/19 tires... No so much due to the radius, but just simply the width when turning...

But I do like the idea!!

And I just checked my tires - seems like I still have 5/32 on the rears after 30,000KM... Either these PS4S tires are magical or I need to drive it harder... Way better life than the PSS I ran before.

Thank you all for the input!

//steve\\ · 03-27-2020, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

What brand/model 295/30/18?

Michelin Cup2

Not a ton of options in this size but it will do.

pbonsalb · 03-27-2020, 09:28 PM

Good tire but expensive and fast wearing.

03-25-2020, 01:39 PM	#1
Scharbag Colonel 2619 Rep 2,138 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Victoria iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW E92 M3 [0.00]	30 Series vs 35 Series Tires - Driving Impressions I did a search but could not find anything that compared and contrasted 30 and 35 series tires. I would like to hear if people have tried 255/30/19F and 275/30/19R tires on their M3s and if the ride is overly harsh due to the reduced sidewall. I am thinking of trying this for a couple reasons. First reason is this gives me a 4% change in final drive. Secondly, while running 15/12 F/R spacers, I get just a little rub on the fronts when navigating parking lots and the rears rub very lightly if I hit a big bump when the car is heavily loaded. I am currently running 255/35/19F and 275/35/19R PS4S tires. I really like the fitment of these widths. For gearing (I moved from the prairies to Vancouver Island so I no longer drive on the highway much), I might consider going to 245/30/19F and 265/30/19R when I buy tires later this year to pickup another 1% on final drive. I do kick myself for selling my 4.10 diff... Anyway, I appreciate any feedback I can get regarding the 30 series tires. Cheers, __________________ 2011 E92 M3 - 6MT, ZCP, ZF LSD, ESS G1, Some other goodies...
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03-25-2020, 02:02 PM	#2
SAMM3Y Colonel 3085 Rep 2,747 Posts Drives: 2008 m3 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: NorCal iTrader: (2)	I recently switched to 275/30/19 rear from 295/30/19 rear. The car is noticeably more athletic especially in third/fourth gear high rev range. Saved 3lbs/tire too as well as weight in the wheels I changed to for a total weight savings of 6lbs per rear wheel. At first I thought the car looked really funny having. 275/30/19 rear, I didn't like it, but it has grown on me. The ride is harsh but I live in the land with the highest road/gas taxes and the poorest roads. __________________ 9ers
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03-25-2020, 04:45 PM	#4
pbonsalb Lieutenant General 5216 Rep 10,603 Posts Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (4)	I am thinking about trying 285/30/18 or 295/30/18 in place of the 295/35/18 that I am running now and was also curious about ride. My fronts would stay 265/35/18. The goal would be to effectively shorten the final drive. Going to a 285/30/18 rear on a 6MT with 3.85 gives the equivalent of a 4.10.
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03-25-2020, 08:42 PM	#6
Yugo First Lieutenant 306 Rep 315 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	I am currently running 285/30/19 it's just perfect! Not harsh ride, looks great. Had stock size 18's before.
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03-26-2020, 06:42 PM	#8
Yugo First Lieutenant 306 Rep 315 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	Correct, they are not available yet. I went w pss. Attached Images Last edited by Yugo; 03-26-2020 at 07:22 PM..
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03-26-2020, 11:31 PM	#9
SAMM3Y Colonel 3085 Rep 2,747 Posts Drives: 2008 m3 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: NorCal iTrader: (2)	So I did the calculator between the 295/30/19 and 275/30/19 which is my current setup coming from the previous. The overall diameter difference is only about 12mm, with 275/35 and 275/30 the difference is 26mm which is obviously more substantial. I think your concerns will be aesthetic as well as ride comfort, I'm still not sold on mine, it looks funny, might be the wheels I'm using too but I just don't think it looks right on the rear end. I used a 12mm spacer too to try and fatten it up back there. It grows on me more but I loved having that fatty rear, maybe a 285/30/19 is a good compromise, won't get the fd ratio though you desire. __________________ 9ers
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03-26-2020, 11:37 PM	#10
OmairK Engineer 51 Rep 169 Posts Drives: 1995 M3 - 2011 E90 M3 6M ZCP Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Any reason why we don't select the XL load rating for the PS4S or the PSS? Omair
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03-27-2020, 06:53 AM	#11
//steve\\ Major $//steve\\'s Avatar$ 1074 Rep 1,027 Posts Drives: 2012 E92 M3 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (2)	I don't think tires make all that much difference in ride harshness. I've certainly never in my life changed tires and suddenly felt like the car ride significantly different for better or worse. Suspension plays a lot more to that IMO. I'm running overall smaller sizes than OE and no real complaints. 265/35/18 front and 295/30/18 rear. __________________ Steve::::2012 AW E92::::IG - @sjs0433
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03-27-2020, 08:11 AM	#12
pbonsalb Lieutenant General 5216 Rep 10,603 Posts Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (4)	What brand/model 295/30/18?
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03-27-2020, 08:27 AM	#13
Richbot Major General 2759 Rep 5,484 Posts Drives: Jerez Black E90 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: STL iTrader: (5)	I use the 275/30-19 square on 9.5" 220M's. I really like it. Not as much as an 18" setup, but it works great. 285/30-19 on a 9.5 is an OEM Mercedes rear fitment. Try 275/30-19 front and rear, on your staggered ZCP wheels. If you hate it, you've got a spare pair of rears. A 275/30-19 on a 9" rim isn't going to look that pinched, the 275/30-19 PS4S I have on my 9.5's are even just a hair stretched-looking, because of the short sidewall you don't get near as much bulge as pinching a taller-sidewall tire. __________________
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03-27-2020, 09:28 PM	#16
pbonsalb Lieutenant General 5216 Rep 10,603 Posts Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (4)	Good tire but expensive and fast wearing.
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