scout448

I was able to snag a set of the Bridgestone Blizzak winter snow tires for my '10 E63. The tires are all 255/40/18 which fit fine on the front however, when I went to the dealer to have them all put on they advised me that the rears would not fit as the tires are wider (which I know they are for summer tires @ 285/35/18).

However, when I look in the manual it states that for winter tires, the rear should be the same as the front (at 255/40/18). Am I missing something here or is my local dealer wrong on this? Bridgestone doesn't make a winter 285/35/18 Blizzak either so not sure what my options are here.

otakki

Whoever was at your dealer must be smoking something. The manual is correct. The tire size you got is correct and the front and rear tires should ideally be the same width for better winter handling esp in the snow.

Pyrobot

Perhaps it's the wider rear rim width that the dealer perceives as the issue? I have always run staggered width winters on my E63s, spec'd the same as the summer tires.

looney100

Are we confusing rim width with tire diameter? Small variations in rim/tire width is fine. Having significant variations in overall tire diameters (without appropriate recalibration) is trouble.

scout448

That's what I was getting at. Does anyone know if the rear rim(s) are physically wider than the front?

Pyrobot

Yes, the OEM rear rims on an E63 are wider than the front rims.

otakki

Rear rims are 9.5" and front rims are 9.0" for both oem 18" and 19", forged or non-forged. The recommended 18" winter tires are the same size as oem front size for both front and rear. The recommended 19" winter tires could be the the same size as oem front for both front and rear, or the same as the oem staggered sizes.

Not sure why the 19" allows both sizes for the rear. But I believe the 18" has more tire choices.

scout448

Thanks, but even if/with the rear being .5" wider will that still fit the set of tires that I have that were the same as the front (255/40/18)?

otakki

It should fit fine per the manual. I haven't heard of any problems with it.

NL007

I run staggered winters on 19s as i wanted to maintain a good look all year round. However, our winters in Toronto havent been too bad so it hasnt been an issue for me. You need to judge whether your winters/snow/ice is bad enough and you intend to drive no matter what - in which case same size 18s all around are the safer choice.