225/50/17s winter tires on an M3
 

With Winter 68Ms. These Michelin PA3s were purchased for the 5 wagon, which we have decided to sell. Since the M will now be my year-round DD, I decided to put the winters on her.

The diameter with the 17 wheels and the 50s is almost exactly what the 19s with low profiles tires are. There is not a ton of room left in the tire wells. So it might get a little sketchy if a lot of snow sticks to the tires.

In retrospect, had I been buying these specifically for the M, it would be better to have stuck with the 45s. And, Nick is right, for the all seasons I purchased, which may now become my summers, 50 would have been better.

So, it's all backwards! I may, in fact, just put the 19s back on for summer but let the snow tire season ooze later into May and earlier in October, for comfort's sake.

Sorry about the lousy bberry photo.

I have 225/45s on my 330. They're slightly taller than the stock 18's and they rub the fender liners over hard bumps.

I would be worried if they're any taller than your stock wheel / tire combo.

I think there's more room in the M3's fenders than the 330. They are exactly the same diameter (within fractions of fractions) as the stock 19s. So, I hope I won't have an issue.

John - remember that the stock M3 size is 225/45 on an 18.

wdc - next time around, trade the 19s to someone for a set of 18s. You'll get the exact same summer comfort and have a correctly sized wheel.

May well do that. 19s are definitely overkill and over harsh on this car.

Edit: And I would never have ordered them if I had bought the car new.

Interesting. TireRack recommends the 225/50/17 as an alternate winter spec:

http://www.tirerack.com/snow/WinterP...06&autoModClar=

For the 330i with SP, they recommend 225/45/17 or 205/50/17 http://www.tirerack.com/snow/WinterP...04&autoModClar=

Didn't think you could do 16s on the 330i, though....Hmmm.

The only reason why BMW suggests the 225/45-17 size is because that provides clearance for chains. If you aren't going to chain up, it doesn't get you anything.

225/50-17 is the correct 17" size for the e46 m3, the total diameter is the same as the OEM 18" diameters (225/45 front and 255/40 rear). 225/45-17 would be quite off.

I remember my 330 zhp ran 225/40-18 and 255/35-18's. I was always bummed that m3's had more sidewall, but at least the zhp had the better ride, even on the low profiles. I don't like how e46 m3's ride on the 19's (just as I don't like how my 997 rides on 19's).

The 225/50/17s are positively cushy on the car.

Right, I forgot the M3 had the 4x4 suspension and the taller wheels.