tyre size question - m3 e93

DreadNiK

DreadNiK

DreadNiK

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Joined
20 Mar 2006
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692
Hi, I thought I'd try here before signing up to a couple of the more specific BMW motoring forums, I have a slight dilemma regarding new tyre(s) and sizing

I have an e93 m3 with 19" tyres - currently the rears are contisport contact 3 fairly recently replaced (i had a scrape and ended up getting one replaced on insurance and then the other one needed replacing a few weeks later - I missed a chance to swap to michelin PSS which I hear is probably the best all around tyre for this car... - the fronts are contisport contact 5p.

The front nearside needs replacing very soon, and while looking into that I've realised that the tyres I have on the fronts at the moment are probably not quite right - they are 235/35 when they should apparently be 245/35, but I understand some actually choose to use the 235s for some reason. They are also OE keyed RO2 (which is quattro 4wd I believe) which isn't quite right.

So I have a decision - do I replace the one that needs replacing like for like from halfords for about 150 quid, car seems to drive pretty well as is, OR do I replace both with more appropriate 245/35 tyres at about 200 quid each and maybe switch to the michelins as well and then go michelins on the back next time they are due...the thing is the offside front tyre is fine for wear 6/7mm and I'm loathe to replace a tyre that doesnt need replacing (plus it is a bit beat up cosmetically so probably wont be very resellable) given they are not cheap...

the rears are the recommend 265/35

What would you do?
 
It's easy to say when it isn't my money, but I've been in your position loads of times, and I would probably replace both the fronts. A) I really didn't like the 5P when I had it. Although grippy, it was too flobbery and had little feedback compared to the Michelin. B) The Michelin 4S is an absolute gem of a tyre.

You can get the Michelin 4S in 245/35 for £177 fitted at F1 Autocentres. Chuck in a voucher code for a few quid off and you'll have both for about £330 fitted.
 
just wanted to say thanks to the poster above, I went with that suggestion in the end, came to £350 with the voucher i could find, still £10 cheaper than my local (fortunately there is an autocentre fairly convenient for my work location), getting PS4s fronts fitted tomorrow. When my rears need replacing again (obv they go a lot quicker than the fronts) I will get those moved from Contact Sport 3s to the same. Also I like the use of the word 'flobbery' sometimes I find the steering gets like that, usually if I've gone over dust/grit or the road is a bit slick from water, hopefully these new tyres at correct size should sort

I did see some people online were running 235 instead of 245 on the front but I decided best and easiest to go with what my owners manual says, I presume they will raise the front height of the car ever so slightly which might not be a bad thing given how scuffed my front bumper is on the underside (cant normally see it so don't really care, will replace at some point) and there is also minor damage to my front compartments underneath (damn potholes/raised manholes) so it might help that slightly, plus given winter weather is here I figured better safe than sorry. Also I looked at the car again and the rears do look like they fill out the wheel well more than the fronts so hopefully a slight cosmetic improvement too
 
DreadNiK said:
I presume they will raise the front height of the car ever so slightly which might not be a bad thing given how scuffed my front bumper is on the underside
Click to expand...
You're changing the tyre width not the tyre profile... you'll improve grip ever so more than anything else..
 
DreadNiK said:
just wanted to say thanks to the poster above, I went with that suggestion in the end, came to £350 with the voucher i could find, still £10 cheaper than my local (fortunately there is an autocentre fairly convenient for my work location), getting PS4s fronts fitted tomorrow. When my rears need replacing again (obv they go a lot quicker than the fronts) I will get those moved from Contact Sport 3s to the same. Also I like the use of the word 'flobbery' sometimes I find the steering gets like that, usually if I've gone over dust/grit or the road is a bit slick from water, hopefully these new tyres at correct size should sort

I did see some people online were running 235 instead of 245 on the front but I decided best and easiest to go with what my owners manual says, I presume they will raise the front height of the car ever so slightly which might not be a bad thing given how scuffed my front bumper is on the underside (cant normally see it so don't really care, will replace at some point) and there is also minor damage to my front compartments underneath (damn potholes/raised manholes) so it might help that slightly, plus given winter weather is here I figured better safe than sorry. Also I looked at the car again and the rears do look like they fill out the wheel well more than the fronts so hopefully a slight cosmetic improvement too
Click to expand...

No worries. Like I said, the Michelin is a really nice tyre and it'll be nice for it to go back to how it should be.

rhysduck said:
You're changing the tyre width not the tyre profile... you'll improve grip ever so more than anything else..
Click to expand...

IIRC profile is expressed as a percentage of the tyre width. Ie. on a 235/35 tyre, the profile will be 35% of the width (235mm), meaning it'll be around 82mm. For a 245/35, this will increase to 85mm, hence giving you a 3mm increase in profile

EDIT: Beaten by about 8 seconds :(
 
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