wpbmed

Has anyone gone from 265 to 245 tires in the rear? I don't like the factory look of smaller tires in the rear, looks like a mistake. Any issues with doing this?
thanks

Jake528

Really confused here. Asking about downsizing, then saying you don’t like that, then asking if there are issues with it? Are you saying you bought the car like that, or bought wheels that way?

Nothing wrong with it, but you’re gonna have a hell of a time with traction and they might be stretched onto the wheel. I’m not familiar with over or undersized tires relative to the wheel but I’ve seen a lot of “ricers” with stretched tires and I’m sure it compromises the traction even further. I’d go 265+. I bought mine with 255/285’s and it’s been good.

tw2

When you say smaller tires, do you mean the sidewall? Definitely don't do 245 in the back. 275/35/18 might add a tiny bit of height if that's what you are after.

wpbmed

From the factory, the E55 comes with 265/35-18 on the rear and 245/40-18 on the front. Has anyone replaced the rear with 245/35-18 is what I am asking. The 245 tire is taller, where as the 265 looks like a low profile tire. I don't like the different looks on the front and back, it looks like a mistake and gives the car a weird stance. I just wondered if going to a slightly taller tire in the rear affected anything like the speedometer?

thanks

tw2

A 245/35 has a smaller sidewall, not taller, it is shorter.

wpbmed

NO, I want the same size tire on the front and rear. The rear look like low profile from the factory, it looks like they are the wrong tires. Has anyone gone to the same size tire on the front and rear (meaning used the larger size tires like the ones on the front) and had any problems? I'm not talking the width, I know 40 and 35 are not the same width, I am talking about the 265 or 245, the aspect ratio difference on the front and rear - IE, 265/35R18 or 245/40R18. I want 265/35R18 on the rear and 265/40R18 on the front . . .

Jake528

I’m sorry but your writing is incredibly difficult to follow. 265’s will not fit on the OEM front wheels. Nonetheless, 265/40 IS TALLER than 245/40 because aspect ratio...IS A RATIO. You’re taking 40% of 265 vs. 245.

Tuxdude

It looks like you're asking whether you can use 265 width tires on all four wheels, but use 265/35R18 in the front and 265/40R18 in the rear? Basically a lower profile tire in the front compared to the rear?

You can use this page to compare the three tires - 265/35R18 vs 265/40R18 vs 245/40R18.

With 245s recommended rim width is 8" - 9.5" whereas with 265s the recommended rim width is 9" - 10.5". If you're using the existing front wheels, you will also need to look at available space within the front wheel well/arch area and if you will either encounter any rubbing or possibly wheels end up protruding outside. With the latter, you will end up with more dirt and even scratches in the side skirt area.

Here is a comparison of just 265/35R18 vs 245/40R18:

tw2

You can put 245/40 on the rear but I wouldn't. On the front 245 is the maximum safe width.

35/40 is the aspect ratio, ie sidewall height ratio. 245/265 is the width. I feel like you are confusing the two. Try a 275/35 on the back. That will give you a touch more sidewall. Anything else is going to have some serious drawbacks.

wpbmed

I greatly appreciate all the input, and thank you for taking the time to respond. I guess I understood tire sizes incorrectly. I want the tires to look like they are the same thickness when you are standing 10 feet away from the car, either on the driver or passenger side, looking at both the front and rear tires inside the wheel wells. I don't like the way the rear tires look like low profile, while the front ones look like a regular tire. I want both front and rear tire tread to look like they are the same distance from the wheel well.

tw2

You might be able to run 265/40 but I think it would look weird and you need to be careful that the overall diameter of the wheel stays roughly the same otherwise traction control, esp etc will constantly fault.

lseguy

my suggestion? Leave them as is, and adjust your opinion (vs adjusting the car) on the looks. Too much risk/downside not enough upside.

wpbmed

thanks gentlemen, 275/35 is what I was looking for on the rear, a tire with more sidewall. I had the sizes confused. I usually drive trucks, and it's much simpler with them 30x9.5, 35x10, etc. I assumed it was the same thing.

thanks again for the feedback.