12-20-2011, 01:02 PM | #1 |
dogged
Join Date: Dec 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: '22 M440 xDrive GC
Posts: 13,342
|
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. |
12-20-2011, 01:06 PM | #2 |
No more BMWs
Join Date: Apr 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8
Location: Glenwood, MD
Posts: 14,753
|
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. |
12-20-2011, 01:13 PM | #3 |
dogged
Join Date: Dec 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: '22 M440 xDrive GC
Posts: 13,342
|
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.
|
12-20-2011, 03:14 PM | #4 |
Relic
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Bethesda, MD
Posts: 12,475
|
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.
__________________
2011 M3 2006 Sierra 2500HD 4WD LBZ/Allison 2004 X5 3.0i 6MT 1995 M3 S50B32 1990 325is 1989 M3 S54B32 Hers: 1989 325iX 1996 911 Turbo |
12-20-2011, 03:22 PM | #5 | |
dogged
Join Date: Dec 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: '22 M440 xDrive GC
Posts: 13,342
|
Quote:
Edit: And I would never have ordered them if I had bought the car new. Last edited by wdc330i; 12-20-2011 at 03:38 PM. |
|
12-20-2011, 04:59 PM | #6 |
dogged
Join Date: Dec 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: '22 M440 xDrive GC
Posts: 13,342
|
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. |
12-20-2011, 05:00 PM | #7 | |
Relic
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Bethesda, MD
Posts: 12,475
|
Quote:
__________________
2011 M3 2006 Sierra 2500HD 4WD LBZ/Allison 2004 X5 3.0i 6MT 1995 M3 S50B32 1990 325is 1989 M3 S54B32 Hers: 1989 325iX 1996 911 Turbo |
|
12-20-2011, 05:25 PM | #8 |
Alphanumeric
Join Date: Aug 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i
Posts: 9,587
|
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). Last edited by equ; 12-20-2011 at 05:42 PM. |
12-20-2011, 05:33 PM | #9 | |
dogged
Join Date: Dec 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: '22 M440 xDrive GC
Posts: 13,342
|
Quote:
|
|
12-20-2011, 07:23 PM | #10 |
No more BMWs
Join Date: Apr 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8
Location: Glenwood, MD
Posts: 14,753
|
Right, I forgot the M3 had the 4x4 suspension and the taller wheels.
|
Bookmarks |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
New winter tires | lupinsea | Car Talk | 0 | 04-14-2009 01:03 PM |
Winter tires | FC | Car Talk | 23 | 12-14-2006 02:18 PM |
Winter Wheels & Tires | wdc330i | The Marketplace | 9 | 09-19-2006 09:25 AM |
Winter tires for the Saabaru | FC | Car Talk | 32 | 11-22-2005 09:26 AM |
18" winter tires? | JST | Car Talk | 19 | 03-18-2005 11:30 PM |