Winter Tire Sizes on OEM 18's

kyleb350 · 11-17-2010, 12:26 PM

I tried searching but couldn't find the recommended winter tire sizes. Coming from 245/40 and 265/40's, it seems overall tire diameters would match up best if I went with 225/45's and 235/45's.

Problem is I don't think a 235 would fit on the rear wheels if they're 9.5" wide. Should I go one up and put 245's on the rear? I plan on getting new wheels/tires for spring, so this would be my dedicated set.

Thanks

**ben@tirerack** · 11-17-2010, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyleb350

I tried searching but couldn't find the recommended winter tire sizes. Coming from 245/40 and 265/40's, it seems overall tire diameters would match up best if I went with 225/45's and 235/45's.

Problem is I don't think a 235 would fit on the rear wheels if they're 9.5" wide. Should I go one up and put 245's on the rear? I plan on getting new wheels/tires for spring, so this would be my dedicated set.

Thanks

235/40R18 and 255/40R18 would be the most common way to go for staggered winter 18". They're a tad shorter, but still fine on height.

slicer · 11-17-2010, 02:27 PM

I run Pirelli Sottozero's in the stock sizes. They work fairly well. Once the snow is deep the car doesn't have enough traction to push the snow. I don't know if the narrow tires would make a significant difference from a traction standpoint. I do like how the the stock sizes fit the wheels well.

**ben@tirerack** · 11-17-2010, 02:47 PM

Good info. The narrower sizes do help cut through the deeper snow a bit. Also, a more aggressive tread pattern can help. The Pirelli is more performance oriented. Something like the Dunlop WinterSport or Bridgestone Blizzak would have a bit more 'dig'.

11-17-2010, 12:26 PM	#1
kyleb350 Brigadier General 424 Rep 4,709 Posts Drives: '21 X3MC Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Milwaukee iTrader: (6)	Winter Tire Sizes on OEM 18's I tried searching but couldn't find the recommended winter tire sizes. Coming from 245/40 and 265/40's, it seems overall tire diameters would match up best if I went with 225/45's and 235/45's. Problem is I don't think a 235 would fit on the rear wheels if they're 9.5" wide. Should I go one up and put 245's on the rear? I plan on getting new wheels/tires for spring, so this would be my dedicated set. Thanks
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11-17-2010, 02:27 PM	#3
slicer Major General 2738 Rep 6,734 Posts Drives: 'E46 M3 Race Car, '23 X7 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wisconsin - Instagram - @slicer_m iTrader: (39)	I run Pirelli Sottozero's in the stock sizes. They work fairly well. Once the snow is deep the car doesn't have enough traction to push the snow. I don't know if the narrow tires would make a significant difference from a traction standpoint. I do like how the the stock sizes fit the wheels well. __________________ '23 X7 '04 M3 - Fall Line Motorsports Built Race Car - S65 swap, Dry Sump, Bosch Stand-Alone ECU, Drenth Sequential Trans, MCS 3-Way, Flossmann Wide Body, Brembo Motorsports Brakes, Drexler LSD, BBS E88 Etc. INSTAGRAM - @Slicer_M
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11-17-2010, 02:47 PM	#4
ben@tirerack M3Post Supporting Vendor 87 Rep 964 Posts Drives: 740i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: South Bend, IN iTrader: (0)	Good info. The narrower sizes do help cut through the deeper snow a bit. Also, a more aggressive tread pattern can help. The Pirelli is more performance oriented. Something like the Dunlop WinterSport or Bridgestone Blizzak would have a bit more 'dig'. __________________ _______________________________________________ I have accepted a new position at Tire Rack and am no longer in the sales department. gary@tirerack.com is available to assist with M3 questions.
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