stickygreen

I have some new wheels (18x8, 34mm offset) on the way, and need some tires for it. I know that 235/40/18 tires will fit with no issues, but how about 245/40/18's? Will the slight increase in width/diameter cause any interference on a stock w210?

Raj
'97 e320
'85 535i
'05 e320 cdi

FlatlineEF9

Seems a little bit wide for me. Not too sure about the issues, but for a 18X8 shouldnt you be running a 225?

lexrex

245/40/18s should fit on an 18x8 ET34, but check with Luke at Tire Rack to confirm. If they were to rub, they'd probably rub on the upper control arm nut just above the top center of the tire.

For reference, I'm running 235/45/17 on 8.5" wide ET34 rim with no rubbing.

stickygreen

It looks pretty damn close either way. I'm currently running 235/45/17 on 17x7.5 et34, and there's barely enough room to squeeze a fingertip between the upper control arm bolt and the tire. I'll probably just stick with 235/40's, as there may no be enough room with a 10mm wider tire and .5" wider wheel.

Raj
'97 e320
'05 e320 cdi
'85 535i

carlsson9

Whitey would be able to answer this! FYI, I was running 18 X 8.5 for 2 years, on 235/40/18s...

Now on staggered set up..235/40/18s front and 265/35/18 rear.

245 might rub at the front..

stickygreen

Would running 245/40/18 out back and 235/40/18 up front funk with the traction control at all? I just scored a pair of good used (and free) 245/40 Contisport 2's from the used tire pile @ work, and I know they'll fit in back...but no so sure about the front.

Raj
'97 e320
'05 e320 cdi
'85 535i

JimE430

I have 245/45/17 on stock E430 7.5 rims all around with no problems.

lexrex

Let me add to Jim's comment that the stock E430 rims are 7.5" ET 41. The inside edge of Jim's wheel is 1mm CLOSER to the nut than yours. The outside of your wheel extends 13mm farther outside the fender.

This means that your tire will also be farther away from the nut than his. The extra 1/2" of wheel width takes up more of the tire and moves it outboard.

stickygreen

Ahhh, didn't know the e430 wheels had a 41mm offset. My wheels are a 34mm offset, so it appears they should fit fine.

Raj

carlsson9

hasn't bothered me yet with the trac control..anyways, the staggered set up if standard for the E55 and i think a lot of other ppl on the forum uses that setup with no probs.

in fact, my ride feels way better with it!

lexrex

Mixing 235/40/18 and 245/40/18 front & back won't mess up the traction control -- it's a 1.2% diameter difference. Carlsson9's setup runs @ 1.6% difference with no trouble.

It's generally not a good idea to run staggered tire widths without staggered wheel widths. The sidewall of the 245/40/18 tire will deflect more easily in corners than the the 235/40/18 tire on the same width rim. With the tire sizes so close, though, the effect might be too small for you to notice.

Of course, the same thing can happen to a much larger degree when mixing brands of same-size tires.

MikeyE430

I am running 245/40-18 Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 on 8" wheels front and rear on my 2000 E430 sport with no problems or rubbing at all (even with a load). It may be important to note that my "Sport" came with rolled fender lips.

stickygreen

Well, it looks like the 245's might fit. I'll be test-fitting them in the next day or two to be sure. BTW, rolled fender lips shouldn't matter since the interference, if any, will be on the inner edge with the control arm.

Raj
'97 e320
'05 e320 cdi
'85 535i

stickygreen

Well, I test-fitted a pair of half-worn Conti-sport 2's up front (245/40/18 on 34mm offset, 18x8 wheel) and they did clear...BARELY. There was probably about 2mm between the upper control arm bolt and the tire. However, I found this to be too close for comfort, especially considering the tires were a bit worn.

So it looks like I'll be using those 245's out back, and go with a 235 up front. Will post pics after getting the new shoes mounted.

Raj
'97 e320 (on MBZ/Fuchs forged 17's...soon to be 18's)
'05 e320 cdi (stock wheels)
'85 535i (on BMW/Fuchs forged 17's)

Whitey

Smart move, 235 is wide enough. With ET31 @ 8" (standard E55 wheel spec), you might get away with it but ET34 is a little too close for comfort.

stickygreen

Yeah, I agree 235 is wide enough. I had actually planned to go with 235/40 all around, but found a good pair of 245/40 used tires at work (MBZ dealer). Since 245/40 is a common OEM size for MBZ, I was just going to wait around for another good pair to show up, but now it looks like I'm going to have to PAY for a pair of front tires...oh well

BTW, wheels are 18x8 et44 and are being used with hubcentric 10mm spacers, hence the 34mm offset.

Raj
'97 e320
'05 e320 cdi
'85 535i

4XFORE

[QUOTE=stickygreen]Well, it looks like the 245's might fit. I'll be test-fitting them in the next day or two to be sure. BTW, rolled fender lips shouldn't matter since the interference, if any, will be on the inner edge with the control arm.

I'm running 245/35/19 8.5 front & 255/35/19 9.5 rear on brabus VI staggerd with no problem. It's really close to that upper arm bar in front. I know I can still run 275 rear which a friend of running 275 rear.

Whitey

[QUOTE=4XFORE]Are we ignoring offsets?

stickygreen

Finally got 'er dun...but the car is filthy in these pics







My old wheels (same style, but in 17") are for sale in classifieds.

Raj
'97 e320
'05 e320 cdi
'85 535i

lexrex

Cool...car looks great.

What do you think about the difference in ride going from 17" to 18"?

stickygreen

The ride definitely got stiffer, but I think that is more due to tire selection than just the size. I went from 45 profile "UHP all season" tires to 40 profile "max. perf." tires due to budget constraints (used tires). Once these wear out, I'll go back to a softer-riding tire.

I don't need this car to handle...that's what the Bimmer is for.

Raj
'97 e320
'05 e320 cdi
'85 535i

CODYAKU

Im just wondering about the clearance of the upper steering knuckle and the control arm. I cannot fit my pinky between it. Is that enough for fitment.
will it rub when cornering hard? I don't notice it at all and I know I rub on suspension compression. currently I have 211 amg twin 5 spoke rims front=245/40/18 rear=265/35/18 nexus n3000s and I don't notice the rubbing on the knuckle. im looking at the hancook ventus evo v2 in that size as well and I was wondering if I would run into a issue.
in wis it says to retrofit with 235/40/18s when fitting the monoblocks.
im about to buy the eibach lowering springs and mess around with the spacers and stuff and I still needing to replace the upper control arms and all of the shocks to help with my ride as well. what are your guys input.

raymond g-

all the info means little if you've not provided the offset

tire dimensions vary slightly between manufacturers and tire models

since you will be lowering the car, chances are very high you will incur rubbing

CODYAKU

Wheel size:


Front - 8J X18 H2 (30 mm offset)


Rear – 9J X18 H2 (39 mm offset)


I think this is the Size and offset.
ill look on the rims tonight and ill update it

CODYAKU

This is the 2001 e55 monoblock rim sizes tires and pressures
Front Tire: 245/40 ZR 18
Rear Tire: 275/35 ZR 18
Tire pressure: 32 front, 33 rear
Front Wheel: 8J x 18H2 (31mm offset)
Rear Wheel: 9J x 18H2 (35mm offset)