TYRE Size options for E46 M3 !?
Discussion
Hi all,
Thinking of changing my tyres but there's a LOT of differing opinion about what's best (inc this forum).
I'm considering Michelin Super Sports as they have so much positive feedback from owners.
Wheels (19" genuine CSL type) will remain, ie
F = 8.5"
R = 9.5"
Current tyres are OEM (but for regular E46 M3) :
F = 225/40/19
R = 255/35/19
I've read it's important to keep the rolling radius as close as poss between F & R - the stock setup above is only 5mm diff.
Would like wider Fronts, so options (with no rubbing issues etc) appear to be
F = 235/35/19 or 245/35/19.
The best staggered Rears (to keep rolling radius closest ) is
R = 275/30/19.
(This gives a rr diff of just 2mm for the 235 but 20mm for the 245!)
To add to my confusion many people reckon the 265/30 is a better rear choice to go with a 235/35 front (as this was apparently the OEM spec for the CSL ?), 245 fronts tramline to much, DSC kicks in obtrusively if rr diff is too large etc etc....
So, PLEASE give me any advice or share experiences with your current set-up!!
Many thanks,
SLINC
Thinking of changing my tyres but there's a LOT of differing opinion about what's best (inc this forum).
I'm considering Michelin Super Sports as they have so much positive feedback from owners.
Wheels (19" genuine CSL type) will remain, ie
F = 8.5"
R = 9.5"
Current tyres are OEM (but for regular E46 M3) :
F = 225/40/19
R = 255/35/19
I've read it's important to keep the rolling radius as close as poss between F & R - the stock setup above is only 5mm diff.
Would like wider Fronts, so options (with no rubbing issues etc) appear to be
F = 235/35/19 or 245/35/19.
The best staggered Rears (to keep rolling radius closest ) is
R = 275/30/19.
(This gives a rr diff of just 2mm for the 235 but 20mm for the 245!)
To add to my confusion many people reckon the 265/30 is a better rear choice to go with a 235/35 front (as this was apparently the OEM spec for the CSL ?), 245 fronts tramline to much, DSC kicks in obtrusively if rr diff is too large etc etc....
So, PLEASE give me any advice or share experiences with your current set-up!!
Many thanks,
SLINC
235/35 is wide enough on the front wheel anyway, is unlikely to give you more grip, just more roll.
I'm not sure what the problem is with the 255/35 rear. Just makes the car more fun to drive
Mine is on 235/35 Pilot Sport fronts and 255/35 Rainsport 2 rears, with the CSL geo, and there's still a hint of understeer. But then I do like a very sharp front, so might not be typical.
235/35 and 255/35 will give you the widest range of tyres to choose from.
I'm not sure what the problem is with the 255/35 rear. Just makes the car more fun to drive
Mine is on 235/35 Pilot Sport fronts and 255/35 Rainsport 2 rears, with the CSL geo, and there's still a hint of understeer. But then I do like a very sharp front, so might not be typical.235/35 and 255/35 will give you the widest range of tyres to choose from.
235/35 and 265/30 is the OEM size for the Michelin Pilot Cups fitted to CSL's.
If you opted to spec yoor new CSL with 'normal' tyres you got the standard 19' M3 diamond cut wheels (I forget the style no.) and 225 and 255 sized tyres.
The sizes used for the CSL is more to do with the sizes the Cup's are available in, there don't make a 225 in 19' only 18' or a 255 period.
If you opted to spec yoor new CSL with 'normal' tyres you got the standard 19' M3 diamond cut wheels (I forget the style no.) and 225 and 255 sized tyres.
The sizes used for the CSL is more to do with the sizes the Cup's are available in, there don't make a 225 in 19' only 18' or a 255 period.
Edited by E30M3SE on Thursday 18th October 17:54
jon- said:
235/35 is wide enough on the front wheel anyway, is unlikely to give you more grip, just more roll.
I'm not sure what the problem is with the 255/35 rear. Just makes the car more fun to drive Mine is on 235/35 Pilot Sport fronts and 255/35 Rainsport 2 rears, with the CSL geo, and there's still a hint of understeer. But then I do like a very sharp front, so might not be typical.
235/35 and 255/35 will give you the widest range of tyres to choose from.
Thanks for the reply Jon!I'm not sure what the problem is with the 255/35 rear. Just makes the car more fun to drive
Mine is on 235/35 Pilot Sport fronts and 255/35 Rainsport 2 rears, with the CSL geo, and there's still a hint of understeer. But then I do like a very sharp front, so might not be typical.235/35 and 255/35 will give you the widest range of tyres to choose from.
The only one on 2 websites!!
On the sizes you run the rolling radii are 203.3cm and 207.7cm respectively.
So a 44mm difference between F & R, compared to the OEM difference of just 5mm !
Doesn't this affect the DSC - making it more intrusive ??
SLINC
jon- said:
235/35 is wide enough on the front wheel anyway, is unlikely to give you more grip, just more roll.
I'm not sure what the problem is with the 255/35 rear. Just makes the car more fun to drive Mine is on 235/35 Pilot Sport fronts and 255/35 Rainsport 2 rears, with the CSL geo, and there's still a hint of understeer. But then I do like a very sharp front, so might not be typical.
235/35 and 255/35 will give you the widest range of tyres to choose from.
Digging up an old thread, but I'm a bit curious hereI'm not sure what the problem is with the 255/35 rear. Just makes the car more fun to drive
Mine is on 235/35 Pilot Sport fronts and 255/35 Rainsport 2 rears, with the CSL geo, and there's still a hint of understeer. But then I do like a very sharp front, so might not be typical.235/35 and 255/35 will give you the widest range of tyres to choose from.
I've got a standard M3 running CSL reps with 235/35/19's F and 255/35/19's rear - the rears have only just been fitted and cant remember what was on previously (had a lot of work done recently, hence the idiocy!)
Anyway, the day after fitting the rears I did the commute down the M5 and had issues with the traction control reducing power, even when in cruise control on the motorway, and especially when cornering?
Took this to a local (Exeter) BW specialist and they diagnosed wrong tyres (requiring change to 265/30/19's at rear)as all 4 wheel sensors were showing errors and they stated the chance of this was close to impossible
Yet Jon above seems to be running this combo (255/35/19 at rear) without issue?
Edited by AngryApples on Wednesday 20th March 08:47
AngryApples said:
Digging up an old thread, but I'm a bit curious here
I've got a standard M3 running CSL reps with 235/35/19's F and 255/35/19's rear - the rears have only just been fitted and cant remember what was on previously (had a lot of work done recently, hence the idiocy!)
Anyway, the day after fitting the rears I did the commute down the M5 and had issues with the traction control reducing power, even when in cruise control on the motorway, and especially when cornering?
Took this to a local (Exeter) BW specialist and they diagnosed wrong tyres (requiring change to 265/30/19's at rear)as all 4 wheel sensors were showing errors and they stated the chance of this was close to impossible
Yet Jon above seems to be running this combo (255/35/19 at rear) without issue?
What brand combination are you running front/rear? How worn are the fronts?I've got a standard M3 running CSL reps with 235/35/19's F and 255/35/19's rear - the rears have only just been fitted and cant remember what was on previously (had a lot of work done recently, hence the idiocy!)
Anyway, the day after fitting the rears I did the commute down the M5 and had issues with the traction control reducing power, even when in cruise control on the motorway, and especially when cornering?
Took this to a local (Exeter) BW specialist and they diagnosed wrong tyres (requiring change to 265/30/19's at rear)as all 4 wheel sensors were showing errors and they stated the chance of this was close to impossible
Yet Jon above seems to be running this combo (255/35/19 at rear) without issue?
jon- said:
Loads of people run the 235/255 setup on cutters though. TC cutting power in a straight line on cruise control is very unusual.
Not on E46s it's not actually, had this happen on a 325ti running Bridgestone front / Dunlop rears and it made the car almost undriveable. Many others had similar problems with various brand combinations, although rolling radius differences can cause it tooEdited by Leins on Wednesday 20th March 12:18
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff