03 M45 Stock Wheel Different Tire Sizes for Lower Profile/Wider Stance

[eskay]

I plan to upgrade the wheels to my 03 M45 very soon, but the stock wheels need new tires and also needed when/if I plan to sell the car. Has anybody tried a different tire size on the stock 18" wheels for a lower profile/ wider stance look? Would a 245/35/18 fit?? I know there's a formula to calculate this, but if somebody could enlighten me or somebody who actually has wider/lower profile tires on the stock wheels, pls let me know. I would really appreciate it. I will probably also call Tirerack and see what they suggest. Thanks

[lfj2025]

Try this site:http://www.rims-n-tires.com/rt_specs.jsp

[szh]

I plan to upgrade the wheels to my 03 M45 very soon, but the stock wheels need new tires and also needed when/if I plan to sell the car. Has anybody tried a different tire size on the stock 18" wheels for a lower profile/ wider stance look? Would a 245/35/18 fit?? I know there's a formula to calculate this, but if somebody could enlighten me or somebody who actually has wider/lower profile tires on the stock wheels, pls let me know. I would really appreciate it. I will probably also call Tirerack and see what they suggest. Thanks

The stock rim is 7.5" wide, so you have to be careful about what width tire can be mounted.

The 245/45-18 is a good choice of tire size for this stock rim (with the 7.5" width). Anything more is likely to be unsafe, although I am sure that I will get the VIP-style tire users to jump in and complain about my opinion here! Certainly, at high speeds, I would never use a stretched tire - in either direction (too wide or too narrow).

Remember also to get a tire whose load index is 95 or higher ... the M is a heavy car, and needs good tires to prevent serious internal (mostly hidden) damage to the tire that could lead to premature or unsafe failures.

Z

[szh]

Try this site:http://www.rims-n-tires.com/rt_specs.jsp

Any of the tire calculators should be treated as a starting point from which you do further research to get more precision. The problem with these calculators is that they assume theoretical calculations, and do not really provide you the specifics for any given tire or car situation!

Please take a look at my Basic Spec sticky thread at the top of this forum to see a list of tires that can be used for the stock rims. I am not making recommendations there per se, just listing. Personally, I use Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 at 245/45-18 in a 100W load/speed rating and like it a lot. Others have used the Michelin Pilot PS2 and Pilot Sport with good results.

Z

[cremecreme]

I am running a 245-35-20 tire with an 8.5 wide wheels....no rubbing at all....the ride isn't that much different