To those using 18inch rims: What tyre size are you using?

[zib]

Hi all,Just want to get some opinions here in terms of :1) Size. I am now on 235/40-18. What size are you using?2)comfort level, 3) road handling4)noise 5)wet surface high speed driving.I saw many are using 245/40-18. I tried that on but decided not to . It seems that the inside rear wheels almost touched the inside of the wheel arch near the absorber mounting. I know 245/40 will give us the closest circumference to the original 225/55-16 or 225/50-17 specced from factory. The last part ie wet road surface I found a bit dangerous on wider tyres as they tend to aqua-plane. My prev ori 16 could do 160kmh in a very wet/heavy rain driving conditions no sweat-grippy! But my current 18 inch feels a bit tricky.Please advise. Would like to hear your personal experience and comments/suggestions.Thanks in advance all fellow bimmers.Cheerszib

 

[bimmerholic]

Yes you are right...The broader the contact patch of the tire's surface to the road, the higher the chances for it to hydro-plane.

Thus when you're running on 16's you can whack through water puddles without any drama but slap on 18's and the drama may just start.

I tend to slow way down when rain with my 18's....unlike when i'm on my 16's previously.

 

[TheTaj]

I saw many are using 245/40-18. I tried that on but decided not to . It seems that the inside rear wheels almost touched the inside of the wheel arch near the absorber mounting.

get rims with correct wheel offset and you can use 245/40/18.

 

[JFT63]

IMHO, 18' is an ideal size for e39. If u are using staggered type (different width for front and rear), make sure u are using the correct rims offset and tyre size. As per my case before, i used 235/40/18 for front and 265/35/18 for rear and i never faced any rubbing issue..As for wet condition, i do slow down to avoid aqua/hydro-planing. I'm no sifu, just my 2 cents experience..i hope it helps..

 

[zib]

get rims with correct wheel offset and you can use 245/40/18.

My rims are taken from an E38 I think. The ET ( offset ) is 20. All with the same size, not staggered.

As I understand it E39 can take offsets from 15-20. Am I right?

 

[haywire]

Correct factory size for staggered setups are:

Front 235-40-18

Rear 265-35-18

 

[julianpang]

Correct factory size for staggered setups are:

Front 235-40-18

Rear 265-35-18

I am using the exact staggered size as you mentioned.

 

[kayzhen911]

for cost savings, im using front 245/40/18 and rear 255/35/18
thats bcoz 265/35/18 is so hard to find (good ones, ie.CSC3), 2nd hand.

 

[bimmerholic]

This were my tire sizes when i first plugged in my Mparrs.

FR: 245/40/18
RR: 275/35/18

The rear tires looked like a solid block of wood if you were to look from the rear of the car. Looks the biz though.
But when got rear passengers and sapu corner time, it scraps the inner wheel arch.

Then I replaced my rears with 255/40/18 Michelin PS2 and they are currently on my car.

 

[jaar]

FR: 245/40/18
RR: 275/35/18


But next chg will be

FR: 235/40/18
RR: 265/35/18

wallet less painful... I hope.