Why shouldn't you use "rear tires" up front?

MAE90M3 · 05-05-2022, 01:56 PM

I've seen a bunch of people say that either they were advised or they believe you should not run rear tires up front (i.e. 275 and above). Why is that? What are the drawbacks/dangers of it?

Redd · 05-05-2022, 06:33 PM

Are you talking about running 275 front and rear - ie a 'square' setup? Nothing wrong with it, plenty of people do it.

No one swaps front to rear tho, ie 275 front and 255 rear. That would be wrong.

e92ben · 05-06-2022, 10:10 AM

I've ran 275s up front. Was great

MAE90M3 · 05-06-2022, 11:46 AM

Does it impact the steering feel? Won't it be a bit mushy in the corners?

TboneS54 · 05-06-2022, 03:58 PM

More grip, less push aka understeer

It'll tramline more though (follow grooves of road), you'll need to keep your hands on the wheel more.

A description like "mushy" I'd reserve for the feel from the wrong tire size or a tire brand with softer sidewalls.

Redd · 05-06-2022, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TboneS54

More grip, less push aka understeer

It'll tramline more though (follow grooves of road), you'll need to keep your hands on the wheel more.

A description like "mushy" I'd reserve for the feel from the wrong tire size or a tire brand with softer sidewalls.

Exactly as above. A wee bit of front toe-in solves the tramlining dramatically. But it's better balanced with better turn-in running a square setup. I highly recommend it.

pjk380 · 05-06-2022, 08:27 PM

Running 275x35x18 up front with 295x35x18 rear with no issues at all. It handles great with excellent steering feel.

RandyJ · 05-07-2022, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjk380

Running 275x35x18 up front with 295x35x18 rear with no issues at all. It handles great with excellent steering feel.

Running 275 35 18 and 305 35 18 no issues.

xdTowMater · 05-12-2022, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjk380

Running 275x35x18 up front with 295x35x18 rear with no issues at all. It handles great with excellent steering feel.

What's your wheel setup? Looking to run the same, trying not to rub.

Longboarder · 05-17-2022, 01:06 PM

275 up front with tons of neg camber is great for the track. Lots of grip. But I didnt like it on the street as it changes the steering dynamics dramatically.

Z K · 05-17-2022, 01:18 PM

Also have to keep in mind that you can't just stick bigger rear size tires up front on stock wheels.

You would need new, wider wheels to run larger tires.

Sounds pretty basic but we don't know what exactly the OP is referring to when saying "running rear tires in front".

TboneS54 · 05-17-2022, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redd

Exactly as above. A wee bit of front toe-in solves the tramlining dramatically. But it's better balanced with better turn-in running a square setup. I highly recommend it.

I like a little toe out

05-05-2022, 01:56 PM	#1
MAE90M3 Private First Class 72 Rep 135 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	Why shouldn't you use "rear tires" up front? I've seen a bunch of people say that either they were advised or they believe you should not run rear tires up front (i.e. 275 and above). Why is that? What are the drawbacks/dangers of it?
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05-05-2022, 06:33 PM	#2
Redd Brigadier General 3897 Rep 4,160 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW E92 M3 Dakar Edition Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Malaysia iTrader: (0)	Are you talking about running 275 front and rear - ie a 'square' setup? Nothing wrong with it, plenty of people do it. No one swaps front to rear tho, ie 275 front and 255 rear. That would be wrong.
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05-06-2022, 10:10 AM	#3
e92ben Brigadier General 1053 Rep 3,205 Posts Drives: BMW M3 BMW 635csi Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Kenosha Wi iTrader: (7)	I've ran 275s up front. Was great __________________ e92 ///M3
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05-06-2022, 11:46 AM	#4
MAE90M3 Private First Class 72 Rep 135 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	Does it impact the steering feel? Won't it be a bit mushy in the corners?
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05-06-2022, 03:58 PM	#5
TboneS54 YNWA 1043 Rep 813 Posts Drives: 2004 M3 6spd & 2011 M3 DCT Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: SoCal iTrader: (2)	More grip, less push aka understeer It'll tramline more though (follow grooves of road), you'll need to keep your hands on the wheel more. A description like "mushy" I'd reserve for the feel from the wrong tire size or a tire brand with softer sidewalls. __________________ /// 2004 Silvergrey M3 · Coupe · 6MT · Slicktop · zero options /// 2011 Jerez/Bamboo E90 M3 · DCT · Slicktop · IG: @na.s54
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05-06-2022, 08:27 PM	#7
pjk380 Private First Class 88 Rep 163 Posts Drives: 2010 E92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Yorba Linda, CA iTrader: (0)	Running 275x35x18 up front with 295x35x18 rear with no issues at all. It handles great with excellent steering feel.
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05-17-2022, 01:06 PM	#10
Longboarder Major General 3430 Rep 6,771 Posts Drives: 2016 BMW i8 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Monarch Beach iTrader: (1) Garage List 2012 BMW e92 M3 [0.00] 2021 BMW X5M [10.00] 2015 Porsche 991 Tu ... [10.00] 2015 Porsche 991 GT3 [10.00]	275 up front with tons of neg camber is great for the track. Lots of grip. But I didnt like it on the street as it changes the steering dynamics dramatically. __________________ Current BMWs: 2022 X5 40i, 2016 X5 50i 2015 Porsche 991 Turbo S 1979 Porsche 911 Turbo (930) a couple others IG: longboarder949; YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT1...eoFBszPIK0gf9w
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05-17-2022, 01:18 PM	#11
Z K Major General 1889 Rep 5,506 Posts Drives: E90 M3, G20 M340i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (3)	Also have to keep in mind that you can't just stick bigger rear size tires up front on stock wheels. You would need new, wider wheels to run larger tires. Sounds pretty basic but we don't know what exactly the OP is referring to when saying "running rear tires in front". __________________ Auto Detailing Enthusiast!
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