carguyquestion: what are the min and max tire sizes that can fit on 9.5" wide wheels?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - carguyquestion: what are the min and max tire sizes that can fit on 9.5" wide wheels?

Posted: 12/30/2005 4:38:33 PM EDT

what are the min and max tire sizes that can fit on 18" / 9.5" wide wheels?

these are to fit a '94 BMW 325is. The wheels are staggared 8.5" wide in front and 9.5" in the back.

Im running 18"/8.5/245 40's in the front and rear no problem right now, but when I get these new wheels the rears get wider to 9.5", hust wondering if I can go to a 275 ZR30 or 35 series in the back or am I limited to a 245/255 ZR 40 or 35

these are the wheels im getting

Posted: 12/30/2005 4:45:33 PM EDT

[#1]

I'd ask the E36 forum at www.bimmerforums.com as you'll probably run out of fender before you run out of rim

Posted: 12/30/2005 4:46:43 PM EDT

[#2]

I've got 255's on a 8.5 inch wheel right now...I think you can handle 275 on 9.5's ...I'd call Tire Rack or somebody just to be sure

Posted: 12/30/2005 4:53:12 PM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:
I'd ask the E36 forum at www.bimmerforums.com as you'll probably run out of fender before you run out of rim

cool. im a member over there too. I'll give em a post. Thanks!

Posted: 12/30/2005 4:55:17 PM EDT

[#4]

I ran a hypothetical on 95 Corvette on Tire Rack and with a 9.5 inch rear wheel they gave an ideal tire width of 275...You sure a BMW can put those sort of meats back there?

Posted: 12/30/2005 5:00:36 PM EDT

[#5]

cool, thanks guys. I got the data I needed from www.michelin.com.au/tyres/passengerCar_pilotSport.asp

Posted: 12/30/2005 5:42:17 PM EDT

[#6]

I have the widest tire that will fit on a 18x9.5 wheel on a 97 M3. It is a custom made Kinesis K20 with an offset of ET44. I am running a 255/35/18 sized Bridgestone SO3, which is wider than most street tires for each size. This required both rolling of the outer fenders, and "clearance" of the inner fender well near in front of the control arm with a mallet. I documented this well on Bimmerforums about 3-4 years ago. Nothing larger will fit.

Posted: 12/30/2005 5:45:41 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
I have the widest tire that will fit on a 18x9.5 wheel on a 97 M3. It is a custom made Kinesis K20 with an offset of ET44. I am running a 255/35/18 sized Bridgestone SO3, which is wider than most street tires for each size. This required both rolling of the outer fenders, and "clearance" of the inner fender well near in front of the control arm with a mallet. I documented this well on Bimmerforums about 3-4 years ago. Nothing larger will fit.

interesting....I'll look for it

Posted: 12/30/2005 5:49:12 PM EDT

[#8]

On my E46, I put 19x9.5 on the rear with 265/30's, It can go up to 275's.

Posted: 12/30/2005 5:57:09 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
Quoted:
I have the widest tire that will fit on a 18x9.5 wheel on a 97 M3. It is a custom made Kinesis K20 with an offset of ET44. I am running a 255/35/18 sized Bridgestone SO3, which is wider than most street tires for each size. This required both rolling of the outer fenders, and "clearance" of the inner fender well near in front of the control arm with a mallet. I documented this well on Bimmerforums about 3-4 years ago. Nothing larger will fit.

interesting....I'll look for it

Here is a rough pic showing what an 18x9.5 with a 255 series tire looks like. It is fat

BTW that is with H&R coilovers about 2" lower in the back with about an inch of tire tucked into the well. It barely fits. The BBS RC wheels you have shown have no customizable offset. The wheels I have were custom made by Alan at Kinesis Motorsports in San Diego.

Posted: 12/30/2005 6:02:56 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I have the widest tire that will fit on a 18x9.5 wheel on a 97 M3. It is a custom made Kinesis K20 with an offset of ET44. I am running a 255/35/18 sized Bridgestone SO3, which is wider than most street tires for each size. This required both rolling of the outer fenders, and "clearance" of the inner fender well near in front of the control arm with a mallet. I documented this well on Bimmerforums about 3-4 years ago. Nothing larger will fit.

interesting....I'll look for it

Here is a rough pic showing what an 18x9.5 with a 255 series tire looks like. It is fatwww.picvault.info/images/173592_kinesis.jpg

BTW that is with H&R coilovers about 2" lower in the back with about an inch of tire tucked into the well. It barely fits. The BBS RC wheels you have shown have no customizable offset. The wheels I have were custom made by Alan at Kinesis Motorsports in San Diego.

great looking e36 you have Clay! The offest of the CSL wheels is 40mm. What is your offset in millimeters? 44?

Posted: 12/31/2005 8:14:09 AM EDT

[#11]

Mine is 44mm. The 40 will push the wheel further out towards the exterior. You will have to seriously roll the fenders to stuff a 255 tire in there. Find someone with a Haweka roller or just rent one from TireRack. You may do ok if you keep the car at stock height and use a narrower running tire in the 255 size like a Kuhmo.

Posted: 12/31/2005 8:16:56 AM EDT

[#12]

If you are gonna mess with larger tires make sure your brakes can handle the extra weight and heat generated.

Car are desinged for certain tire sizes for a reason.

Just talking about safety.

Posted: 12/31/2005 9:08:45 AM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
If you are gonna mess with larger tires make sure your brakes can handle the extra weight and heat generated.

Car are desinged for certain tire sizes for a reason.

Just talking about safety.

Thanks! I have big brakes w/ 13" cross drilled rotors

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - carguyquestion: what are the min and max tire sizes that can fit on 9.5" wide wheels?

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