Tire size question: How wide do I need to go to prevent curb rashing?

klipseracer · 11-23-2009, 02:41 AM

So I'm going to be paying for some VS7's tomorrow from a forum member. Overall they appear to be in good condition and I'd like to keep it that way. My first instinct is to go for some cheap tires because I won't be keeping the wheels on for long because a trip up north soon will warrant some winter wheels. But what I'd like to know is what width do I need to run in order to ensure, as best possible that I won't scrape my rim if I happen to accidentally bump a curb while I'm turning or something similar. Basically, I'm asking how skinny can I go yet still have good protection. Thanks!

Also, they are a staggered set.

cb1111 · 11-23-2009, 10:11 AM

Not quite sure that width is the issue. You need a properly sized tire with a pronounced rim protector bead to give you even a bit of protection but there isn't much that'll keep you from damaging your wheel if you scrape a curb.

remmib · 11-23-2009, 11:20 AM

Stay far away from curbs when you run low profile tires.

klipseracer · 11-23-2009, 12:37 PM

Thanks.. I'm not counting on rim protectors because on my 46 I had them and when I rubbed against a curb in a drive through the protector just tore and scraped my wheel anyway. I'm thinking some wider tread would do a much better job at protecting.. Considering it's a verY concave wheel, anyone have a shot in the dark? Any vs7/8 owners that can chime in?

ALUFELGEN · 11-23-2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klipseracer

Thanks.. I'm not counting on rim protectors because on my 46 I had them and when I rubbed against a curb in a drive through the protector just tore and scraped my wheel anyway. I'm thinking some wider tread would do a much better job at protecting.. Considering it's a verY concave wheel, anyone have a shot in the dark? Any vs7/8 owners that can chime in?

I have owned both the VS7 and the VS8. Since you have an E90 I would recommend a 245/275 setup and a proper alignment. You won't be disappointed.

klipseracer · 11-23-2009, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AluFelgen

I have owned both the VS7 and the VS8. Since you have an E90 I would recommend a 245/275 setup and a proper alignment. You won't be disappointed.

So, 245/35 and 275/35?

How about these:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes

Here is a review comparing them to the PS2's

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=279362

Derek Zoolander · 11-23-2009, 04:32 PM

You shouldn't rely on tires to prevent curbing.

klipseracer · 11-23-2009, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek Zoolander

You shouldn't rely on tires to prevent curbing.

Yes, smart one. I am enlightened. Up until your solution I was intentionally driving into curbs. Now it all makes sense, Thank you...

Now, outside of stating the obvious, I will say that I'm not relying on wider tires to stop curb rashing, I'm simply trying to take every possible precaution to keep them in good shape. There will be other people driving my car as well which is something I can't control. One thing about the 245 fronts, should I run something that wide? Wouldn't that cause a little understeer? I'm really more interested in protection than some minor under-steer as I stated i'm not too agressive of a driver. Also, should I run 35's in the back? Or 30's? With a 275 rear end that does make it a bit higher of a wheel. Thanks.

Derek Zoolander · 11-23-2009, 06:11 PM

Well, get a tire with an integrated lip protector.
I never understood why anyone would get remotely close to a curb with nice wheels. I'll park 2ft from the curb to ensure I don't accidentally knick it. I would not let anyone drive your car if you're worried about it. Something WILL happen, just because you don't want it to.

275 is the width of the tire in mm. Not related to height of the sidewall. The 30-35 is the sidewall aspect ratio related to the width.

klipseracer · 11-23-2009, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek Zoolander

Well, get a tire with an integrated lip protector.
I never understood why anyone would get remotely close to a curb with nice wheels. I'll park 2ft from the curb to ensure I don't accidentally knick it. I would not let anyone drive your car if you're worried about it. Something WILL happen, just because you don't want it to.

275 is the width of the tire in mm. Not related to height of the sidewall. The 30-35 is the sidewall aspect ratio related to the width.

Its not a matter of parking closely, its going through tight drive throughs and such. Also, my girl will drive the car(I know, I know) occasionally and I just want to be sure... I also understand that the 30/35 is the aspect ratio which is why I'm saying with a 275 wheel, instead of a 35(like the front) I should get 30 that way the overall height is similar... Do you understand? Thanks for the replies.

Derek Zoolander · 11-23-2009, 07:39 PM

A 35 will have a taller sidewall...
Easiest solution: don't let anyone drive it, and just be careful.

Tee212 · 11-23-2009, 07:56 PM

You really think 3-5mm of extra rubber will save youre precious wheels from a few tons of force baring down on it?

klipseracer · 11-23-2009, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tee212

You really think 3-5mm of extra rubber will save youre precious wheels from a few tons of force baring down on it?

Yes, I had 245/45/17's on my eclipse and I've brushed up against the side of a curb a couple times and had no scrapes. Whats your point? Do you really think an extra 3-5mm of extra rubber will hurt my precious wheels? By the way, learn to spell, 'your'. Oh, Obligatory

I335 · 11-23-2009, 08:42 PM

As others are saying, you'll get little to no protection from curbing regardless of the tire width. Sure, there are folks who like the stretched look where the wheel actually sticks out beyond the widest part of the tire and yes, those would scratch even with the slightest brush against a curb. That said, anything more than a very slight brush against a curb no tire is going to help much with low profile tires.

Derek Zoolander · 11-23-2009, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klipseracer

Yes, I had 245/45/17's on my eclipse and I've brushed up against the side of a curb a couple times and had no scrapes. Whats your point? Do you really think an extra 3-5mm of extra rubber will hurt my precious wheels? By the way, learn to spell, 'your'. Oh, Obligatory

A 245/45 is a good bit of sidewall. A 30-35 is not.

klipseracer · 11-23-2009, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I335

As others are saying, you'll get little to no protection from curbing regardless of the tire width. Sure, there are folks who like the stretched look where the wheel actually sticks out beyond the widest part of the tire and yes, those would scratch even with the slightest brush against a curb. That said, anything more than a very slight brush against a curb no tire is going to help much with low profile tires.

That is what I'm looking for... Where in the world does it say I plan on ramming into curbs? I don't understand why this is so hard.

klipseracer · 11-23-2009, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek Zoolander

A 245/45 is a good bit of sidewall. A 30-35 is not.

Yes this is definitely something I need to consider, however if I'm buying wheels, is it a bad thing to get some extra width?

2M · 11-24-2009, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by remmib

Stay far away from curbs when you run low profile tires.

stay away from curbs period. lol

Tee212 · 11-24-2009, 01:13 AM

lol i hope you curb "you're" wheel and then youll be like omgut I need a 305 on there because you cant drive gud.

klipseracer · 11-24-2009, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tee212

lol i hope you curb "you're" wheel and then youll be like omgut I need a 305 on there because you cant drive gud.

I remember you saying you were 16 in one of those, 'how old are you and what car do you drive' threads. This certainly explains a number of things. Don't you have a coloring book to trace on a school night?

Edit: nice ride by the way... None haha!

Tee212 · 11-24-2009, 01:44 AM

lol i <3 you

cb1111 · 11-24-2009, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek Zoolander

A 245/45 is a good bit of sidewall. A 30-35 is not.

45 can be 30 or 35 - depending on the width of the tire.

A 205/50/17 has the identical sidewall height of a 225/45/17 or a 285/35/17 as the sidewall height is expressed as a percentage of the wheel width - not an absolute number.

Back to the OP's question

Tire size depends on wheel width. A 225/45/17 on a 7 1/2 inch wheel will protect the wheel more than the identical tire on an 8 or an 8 1/2 inch wheel although the 225 may technically fit all three wheels.

What is the size of the wheel that you are considering?

11-23-2009, 02:41 AM	#1
klipseracer Banned 219 Rep 3,012 Posts Drives: 2007 E90 335i, 05 E46 330i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Arizona iTrader: (27) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00] 2005 330i [0.00]	Tire size question: How wide do I need to go to prevent curb rashing? So I'm going to be paying for some VS7's tomorrow from a forum member. Overall they appear to be in good condition and I'd like to keep it that way. My first instinct is to go for some cheap tires because I won't be keeping the wheels on for long because a trip up north soon will warrant some winter wheels. But what I'd like to know is what width do I need to run in order to ensure, as best possible that I won't scrape my rim if I happen to accidentally bump a curb while I'm turning or something similar. Basically, I'm asking how skinny can I go yet still have good protection. Thanks! Also, they are a staggered set. Last edited by klipseracer; 11-23-2009 at 08:46 PM..
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11-23-2009, 10:11 AM	#2
cb1111 I ask the questions you're afraid to ask. 44 Rep 2,489 Posts Drives: 335xi Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: DC iTrader: (2)	Not quite sure that width is the issue. You need a properly sized tire with a pronounced rim protector bead to give you even a bit of protection but there isn't much that'll keep you from damaging your wheel if you scrape a curb.
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11-23-2009, 11:20 AM	#3
remmib General 1569 Rep 29,202 Posts Drives: 2013 F10 520d M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Norway iTrader: (0)	Stay far away from curbs when you run low profile tires. __________________ 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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11-23-2009, 12:37 PM	#4
klipseracer Banned 219 Rep 3,012 Posts Drives: 2007 E90 335i, 05 E46 330i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Arizona iTrader: (27) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00] 2005 330i [0.00]	Thanks.. I'm not counting on rim protectors because on my 46 I had them and when I rubbed against a curb in a drive through the protector just tore and scraped my wheel anyway. I'm thinking some wider tread would do a much better job at protecting.. Considering it's a verY concave wheel, anyone have a shot in the dark? Any vs7/8 owners that can chime in?
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11-23-2009, 04:32 PM	#7
Derek Zoolander Banned 90 Rep 1,873 Posts Drives: 09 E90 M-Sport Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Nashua, NH iTrader: (0)	You shouldn't rely on tires to prevent curbing.
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11-23-2009, 06:11 PM	#9
Derek Zoolander Banned 90 Rep 1,873 Posts Drives: 09 E90 M-Sport Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Nashua, NH iTrader: (0)	Well, get a tire with an integrated lip protector. I never understood why anyone would get remotely close to a curb with nice wheels. I'll park 2ft from the curb to ensure I don't accidentally knick it. I would not let anyone drive your car if you're worried about it. Something WILL happen, just because you don't want it to. 275 is the width of the tire in mm. Not related to height of the sidewall. The 30-35 is the sidewall aspect ratio related to the width.
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11-23-2009, 07:39 PM	#11
Derek Zoolander Banned 90 Rep 1,873 Posts Drives: 09 E90 M-Sport Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Nashua, NH iTrader: (0)	A 35 will have a taller sidewall... Easiest solution: don't let anyone drive it, and just be careful.
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11-23-2009, 07:56 PM	#12
Tee212 Banned 81 Rep 4,541 Posts Drives: yes Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Riverside iTrader: (9) Garage List 2010 335 [8.00]	You really think 3-5mm of extra rubber will save youre precious wheels from a few tons of force baring down on it?
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11-23-2009, 08:42 PM	#14
I335 Brigadier General 123 Rep 4,249 Posts Drives: '08 335i Coupe Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New England iTrader: (11)	As others are saying, you'll get little to no protection from curbing regardless of the tire width. Sure, there are folks who like the stretched look where the wheel actually sticks out beyond the widest part of the tire and yes, those would scratch even with the slightest brush against a curb. That said, anything more than a very slight brush against a curb no tire is going to help much with low profile tires.
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11-24-2009, 01:13 AM	#19
Tee212 Banned 81 Rep 4,541 Posts Drives: yes Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Riverside iTrader: (9) Garage List 2010 335 [8.00]	lol i hope you curb "you're" wheel and then youll be like omgut I need a 305 on there because you cant drive gud.
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11-24-2009, 01:44 AM	#21
Tee212 Banned 81 Rep 4,541 Posts Drives: yes Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Riverside iTrader: (9) Garage List 2010 335 [8.00]	lol i <3 you
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