I've got an '02 sport package equipped BMW 530i which needs new tires. I was going to buy the 235/45-17 Pirelli P Zero Nero tires until I realized I may be buying a C350 4matic when it comes out in a few months. I hesitate to buy new tires if I'm only going to keep the car a little while longer.
Although the C comes w/ 16" wheels, I'll likely keep those wheels for winter tires (perhaps Dunlop sportM3??) and get new 17" wheels and tires for the other 3 seasons. Per your website, the optional tire/wheel size is 225/45/17, 10mm smaller than the BMW 235 size.
Should I get the 235 tires now and put them on the C350 later if they fit? If they don't fit, should I then get the 225 size for now and put them on the factory wheels for a few months & then move them to the new MB wheels later on? Can 225 tires be used on the BMW factory BBS wheels?
Any other suggestions/input?
Thanks in advance

Jim

the 235/45/17 will definatly fit on a c350, your speedometer might be off by <1% so if you drive 100 mph you're actually doing about 101. no big deal...

Its actually closer to 2%. Plus you odometer will be off as well. And who remembers to calculate the difference all the time. After a while you'll just go by the speedo, get pulled over and all of a sudden you remember again.

and odometer be off? Will it show more or less mileage on the car? Same question for speed.
Also, is there any danger of rubbing the tires on the fenders?


This may all be moot, as I intend to get the C350, the specs of which aren't yet known. Since the wheels are unlikely to get smaller, I should be safe in assuming specs based on the current 320.

Again, thanks in advance

Jim

version of the C, with my proposed tires being only 10mm wider, how can the speedo/odo be off? Or, am I as usual missing something?

Yup You forgot the aspect ratio and how it affects the height.

Do I assume correctly that the C 320 sport version, which comes with 17" wheels, likely has a differetn speedo/odo calibration? If so, would the car show miore or less miles w/ 17" wheels as opposed to 16" wheels?

change is to a 235/45-17, does the lower aspect ratio (55 to 45) make up for the change from 16 to 17 wheels, or is there still a difference? Never thought this could/would be an issue. I appreciate it being brought to my attn.

Jim

Compare the std luxo tire to the std SS tire by doing the math on both. Then look at the tire size you are trying for. Compare them once again mathematically and you will have your answer.

is the 530 an E39 chassis ?

sport package. I like the car, but am tired of dismal snow performance even w/ Dunlop sport M2 tires. Also, after 4 BMWs I am ready for a change and do not in the least like the nwe BMW models. "Ugly" comes to mind.
In short, I need new tires for the BMW, but hesitate to buy its recommended 235/45-17s if they won't fit a new C class C350 in a few months. The MB stock wheels are 16", which I will not use except to mount snow tires (perhaps Dunlop sport M3??)
After the winter I'll get new 17" wheels, as 16s seem pitifully small. I'd like to re-use the "new" 235 tires, but am afraid they may not fit the MB recommended 225 size. Will they fit/is there adequate clearance, or should I consider 225s now and put them on the MB later? Will 225s even fit the BMW wheels which suggest 235s?
Thanks in advance

Jim

Now really. Look at the manual which should detail the size and width of your darkside wheel. Go to the tirerack website and look at their tires and recommended wheel width.
Look in the W203 forum for tires that come on cars, what width people have put on, etc. Its simple math. There have even been links posted for tire size calculators.