+1 tire size? Can't decide, please help.

invariant · 06-16-2009, 12:52 PM

Posted this also on Bimmerfest, but traffic here seems to be better. Anyway, please tell me what you think.

Stock tires, 335 E90 with sports package: 225/40R18 front and 255/35R18 rear.

I'm about to order tires from tirerack, but can't decide: should I go with the stock size or +1 size, like 235/40R18 front and 265/35R18 rear. The reason I was thinking of +1 size is a little better rim protection and looks. But I have two questions:
1. How will it affect traction/handling?
2. I heard that 255 is the maximum recommended width for the stock 18" wheel (sports package, style 162, 8" width front, 8.5" width rear), but I also heard that some people did it anyway and it worked.

lpphreakx06 · 06-16-2009, 01:01 PM

I run this set up, 235/40R18 front and 265/35R18 rear on style 189's. I havent had any problems. A lot of people have been telling me that the wheels aren't wide enough to run with a 265 sidewall. I see it done all the time though, and the extra protection is always good

Topless 335i · 06-16-2009, 01:08 PM

If you're going to leave the wheels stock, I'd keep the same size tires. BMW must have had a good reason to use that size.

Gary@TireRack · 06-16-2009, 01:24 PM

235/4018 works great up front.

For the rear 265/35R18 is outside of the recommended rim width range for 18X8.5" wheels. Some do it anyway, and the tires may mount on the wheels just fine. However, their use on them could pose a safety issue (not very likely IMO), or cause less than optimal performance. It is in the tire manufacturers best interest to list as broad of a range as possible to maximize fitments and sales, so if the tire is outside of the range, there is likely a pretty good reason for it.

invariant · 06-16-2009, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary@TireRack

235/4018 works great up front.

Besides good fitment, are there any other reasons I should/should not put 235/40R18 in the front? My front tires are wearing much faster than rear. Especially the outer edge. I will do an alignment once I get the new tires, but will a slightly wider tire work better or worse?

GaryR · 06-16-2009, 02:41 PM

I would think the 235's with stock 255's in the rear would reduce the understeer situation also..

Ramos · 06-16-2009, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryR

I would think the 235's with stock 255's in the rear would reduce the understeer situation also..

+1, that's the way to go. I run 235-40-18 all around for track, and no issues up front whatsoever

Gary@TireRack · 06-16-2009, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramos

+1, that's the way to go. I run 235-40-18 all around for track, and no issues up front whatsoever

Agreed.

invariant · 06-16-2009, 05:42 PM

So if I go with 235/40R18 front and 255/35R18 rear, then the difference in diameter is 0.37" (25.5" front and 25.03" rear). That shouldn't be visible at all, right?
Seems like I'm having "last minute buyer hesitations"

NiVeDh · 06-16-2009, 06:48 PM

Go with 235/40R18 front and 255/35R18 rear.

remmib · 06-16-2009, 06:50 PM

I'd stay with the stock size on OEM wheels.

Nikos335i · 06-16-2009, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by invariant

Posted this also on Bimmerfest, but traffic here seems to be better. Anyway, please tell me what you think.

Stock tires, 335 E90 with sports package: 225/40R18 front and 255/35R18 rear.

I'm about to order tires from tirerack, but can't decide: should I go with the stock size or +1 size, like 235/40R18 front and 265/35R18 rear. The reason I was thinking of +1 size is a little better rim protection and looks. But I have two questions:
1. How will it affect traction/handling?
2. I heard that 255 is the maximum recommended width for the stock 18" wheel (sports package, style 162, 8" width front, 8.5" width rear), but I also heard that some people did it anyway and it worked.

BTW +1 would mean that you are upgrading to 19's what you want is a +0 setup same size wheel just wider tires.

I would only increase the front to 235 and leave the rears stock.

Gary@TireRack · 06-17-2009, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikos335i

BTW +1 would mean that you are upgrading to 19's what you want is a +0 setup same size wheel just wider tires.

I would only increase the front to 235 and leave the rears stock.

Correct, and agreed.

ZJP · 06-17-2009, 10:39 AM

I run 235/265 with no problems, just more grip.

06-16-2009, 12:52 PM	#1
invariant Enlisted Member 4 Rep 41 Posts Drives: E90 335i 6MT Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0)	+1 tire size? Can't decide, please help. Posted this also on Bimmerfest, but traffic here seems to be better. Anyway, please tell me what you think. Stock tires, 335 E90 with sports package: 225/40R18 front and 255/35R18 rear. I'm about to order tires from tirerack, but can't decide: should I go with the stock size or +1 size, like 235/40R18 front and 265/35R18 rear. The reason I was thinking of +1 size is a little better rim protection and looks. But I have two questions: 1. How will it affect traction/handling? 2. I heard that 255 is the maximum recommended width for the stock 18" wheel (sports package, style 162, 8" width front, 8.5" width rear), but I also heard that some people did it anyway and it worked.
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06-16-2009, 01:01 PM	#2
lpphreakx06 Professional Moose Racer 316 Rep 7,509 Posts Drives: SG 335i E92 RIP + 2015 SS M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bellevue, Wa iTrader: (25)	I run this set up, 235/40R18 front and 265/35R18 rear on style 189's. I havent had any problems. A lot of people have been telling me that the wheels aren't wide enough to run with a 265 sidewall. I see it done all the time though, and the extra protection is always good __________________ Visit my blog anytime: http://www.sfpayments.com BMW Dream Team PNW Chapter, member #1 \|HP Autowerks \| AR DESIGN \| BMW PERFORMANCE \| STOP TECH \| Volk Racing\| AMS \| ARKYM
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06-16-2009, 01:08 PM	#3
Topless 335i Captain 39 Rep 984 Posts Drives: AW E93 335i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (2)	If you're going to leave the wheels stock, I'd keep the same size tires. BMW must have had a good reason to use that size.
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06-16-2009, 01:24 PM	#4
Gary@TireRack Moderator 369 Rep 4,745 Posts Drives: Formerly 1995 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Bend, IN, Tire Rack HQ iTrader: (2)	235/4018 works great up front. For the rear 265/35R18 is outside of the recommended rim width range for 18X8.5" wheels. Some do it anyway, and the tires may mount on the wheels just fine. However, their use on them could pose a safety issue (not very likely IMO), or cause less than optimal performance. It is in the tire manufacturers best interest to list as broad of a range as possible to maximize fitments and sales, so if the tire is outside of the range, there is likely a pretty good reason for it. __________________ Gary. Tire and Wheel Forum Moderator. Tire Rack Sales Rep Gary@Tirerack.com http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&url=index.jsp Please refer to 'Gary/E90 Post' as your previous contact when you order online to help support this forum.
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06-16-2009, 02:41 PM	#6
GaryR Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 07 335 Convertible Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Woodbury, CT USA iTrader: (0)	I would think the 235's with stock 255's in the rear would reduce the understeer situation also..
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06-16-2009, 05:42 PM	#9
invariant Enlisted Member 4 Rep 41 Posts Drives: E90 335i 6MT Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0)	So if I go with 235/40R18 front and 255/35R18 rear, then the difference in diameter is 0.37" (25.5" front and 25.03" rear). That shouldn't be visible at all, right? Seems like I'm having "last minute buyer hesitations"
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06-16-2009, 06:48 PM	#10
NiVeDh Major General 422 Rep 8,003 Posts Drives: '08 E90 335i, '99 E36 M3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Houston, TX & Atlanta, GA iTrader: (132) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i Sedan [8.66]	Go with 235/40R18 front and 255/35R18 rear.
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06-16-2009, 06:50 PM	#11
remmib General 1568 Rep 29,202 Posts Drives: 2013 F10 520d M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Norway iTrader: (0)	I'd stay with the stock size on OEM wheels. __________________ F10 520d M-Sport Alpine White \| HRE P43SC 20x9+20x11 \| Michelin PSS 255/35+295/30 \| KW V3 Coilover \| M5 Front Sway Bar + M550d Rear Sway Bar \| 3DDesign Front Lip \| BMW M Performance CF Spoiler \| BMW M Performance Diffuser \| BMW M Performance Black Grills \| BMW M Performance Pedals \|
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06-17-2009, 10:39 AM	#14
ZJP Lieutenant Colonel 125 Rep 1,759 Posts Drives: F10 535xi / B6 S4 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: LI, NY iTrader: (7)	I run 235/265 with no problems, just more grip.
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