Different Profile Front to Rear

panthro

panthro

panthro

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Joined
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Asides from looking slightly different, what difference would there be to how the car drives if I ran a 35 profile on the fronts and a 30 profile on the rears? Ive found some cheap CS3's but they are a 30 profile.
 
The profile is the percentage of the width of the tyre? So the rears are slightly wider so require a smaller % profile to equate to the same diameter/circumference as the front wheels which are narrower.

Or something similar to that :confused:

I have a 30 profile on my rears and a 35 profile on the front and I haven't spotted any visible difference.

*may well be wrong*
 
I thought having different profiles on front/rear was standard practice on rear wheel drive cars with wider rears in comparison to the front.

Mine for example has 40 profile rears and 50 profile fronts... I would imagine that as long as you have the same on both sides of the axel that you would be ok?
 
VinceB1 said:
I thought having different profiles on front/rear was standard practice on rear wheel drive cars with wider rears in comparison to the front.
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It is but somewhat unusually the M3 on 19's has a 30 profile on both front and back - probably because the fronts are only 20mm narrower than the width.

On the assumption that BMW didn't choose this size 'for the lulz', I cannot see the point in deviating from the correct size on a £30k M3.
 
[TW]Fox;19869759 said:
It is but somewhat unusually the M3 on 19's has a 30 profile on both front and back - probably because the fronts are only 20mm narrower than the width.

On the assumption that BMW didn't choose this size 'for the lulz', I cannot see the point in deviating from the correct size on a £30k M3.
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Other than assumption, do you have any data to prove otherwise that there would be no negative effect?

This is a serious question BTW as I genuinely want to know, because if I can save myself £200 on tyres for the sake of a different profile that has no ill effect, then I will do so.
 
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[TW]Fox;19869759 said:
It is but somewhat unusually the M3 on 19's has a 30 profile on both front and back - probably because the fronts are only 20mm narrower than the width.

On the assumption that BMW didn't choose this size 'for the lulz', I cannot see the point in deviating from the correct size on a £30k M3.
Click to expand...

Well there we go... once again your bwm knowledge is no doubt bang on and I would agree that it doesn't sound all that wise deviating from manufacturers spec for the sake of saving a few quid... However I am curious as to how much difference it might make.
 
swfblade said:
Why skimp and save money on the only part of your car that keeps you attached to the road...?
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Because of course the sidewall profile makes a massive difference and the exact same tyre in a different profile will immedately mean he crashes and dies. :rolleyes:

This, children, is why you need to understand the advice rather than just repeating it verbatim.
 
No its an E92. I found a supplier through a friend who offers them in this size very cheaply for unknown reasons.
 
To answer the OP rather than berating idiot posters: I have a different profile front to back and my rears are quite a bit wider than the fronts. Rolling radius is the same though IIRC so it is all good.

If you do change the rolling radius you should make sure that you understand the difference it will make to your speedo and any tyre pressure monitoring or DSC-type systems that compare revolution speeds between wheels.
 
:confused: Its a mystery to me, do let us know how you get on though! Seems people are running all kinds of mix and match sizes on the E46... Either its pretty common or it coinsides with foxs' "knuckle dragger" E46 Image.
 
Thanks, yes I understand that it may interfere with the speedo by changing the rolling radius. I was considering 275's as a lot of people run them without any problems but decided not to just in case.
 
panthro said:
Why waste money on something that can be had cheaper providing that having a lower profile doesnt have any negative effect?
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The only downsides of having a lower profile tyre is a slightly harsher ride and you have a bigger chance of damaging your wheel if you hit a big pothole. Your speedo may be out a little also...

Other than that I can't really see the problem with going for slightly lower profile tyres. :)
 
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