Recommendations please - more traction for daily driver

[gatorfast]

I currently have the factory 513m 18" wheels with PSS tires and it will be time for new tires soon so I am weighing my options. Here is what I am considering:

- Stick with factory PSS tires in oem sized 255/40 and 275/40
- Stick with PSS tires but change rear to 295/35...is this ok to pair with 255/40 front?
- Switch to the new Continental Extremecontact sport in 265/40 and 285/40

Choices 1 or 2 above would be the easiest since my front tires have decent tread left and I really only need new rear tires soon. Would a 295/35 rear be ok to pair with the 255/40 front?

Any feedback is appreciated!

[XsltAnalyst]

Just stick with stock.

I had the similar dilemma. After much research and comparing different sizes and whatnot, I simply bought OEM rears and got them installed. For DD, stock size is fine. No need to overthink this as going larger has its own pros and cons, and I'm pretty sure R&D team considered all of those before deciding on the tire sizing when they developed the car in collaboration with Michelin.

I just wish Michelin would start producing PS4 tires for 18s.

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by XsltAnalyst

Just stick with stock.

I had the similar dilemma. After much research and comparing different sizes and whatnot, I simply bought OEM rears and got them installed. For DD, stock size is fine. No need to overthink this as going larger has its own pros and cons, and I'm pretty sure R&D team considered all of those before deciding on the tire sizing when they developed the car in collaboration with Michelin.

I just wish Michelin would start producing PS4 tires for 18s.

Thanks, I hear what you are saying and appreciate that BMW engineered a fine vehicle, tire sizes included, but if there are better options out there I am willing to explore. It seems like the 19/20" wheels have tons of tire choices but not the 18" setup.

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by VeloF1

#3 would be my clear choice personally. I've tested them both vigorously on the road and track. Here's a little write up I did recently:

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1402667

I used to think OEM too. Yet, OEM tries to charter to a large spectrum of drivers. If you're looking for more traction/performance-- the. I think your safe to go a little wider. I look forward to your feedback after purchase (whatever your choice) and a few miles. Good luck.

Thanks I may end up doing that but was hoping to get some feedback from people who actually did go wider on stock 18's. There are dozens of threads for the 19/20" guys about this but none for 18's. Maybe this can be that thread

[elmerzasty]

I'd go for the PSS in 295/35ZR18 rear and OEM front (255/40/18). More traction during acceleration and better looks (similar sidewall height on both front and rear).

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by elmerzasty

I'd go for the PSS in 295/35ZR18 rear and OEM front (255/40/18). More traction during acceleration and better looks (similar sidewall height on both front and rear).

Would there be any adverse effects to moving to a wider rear tire but keeping the fronts the same?

[CanAutM3]

Choosing tire configurations is all about finding the right compromise for you. I am convinced a lot of sound engineering went into BMW's tire selection, but they made it for a specific set of compromises. A particular person might want a different compromise, hence why it perfectly OK to vary from the OE tires. You just need to be aware that, by changing tire specs, what you gain in some area of tire performance you might lose in others.

That being said, the tread width that BMW chose for the F8X are rather narrow. I theorize that it is mostly to improve wet capability at the expense of dry capability.

Going with the 295/35R18 will improve the rear tread width by a non-negligible 1.3", which should improve dry grip. However, it will have more tendency to aqua-plane in standing water. Also, while still within the acceptable range, the 295/35R18 PSS tire was not specifically designed for a 10" wide wheel, hence, you might have slightly more sluggish response in transitions due to sidewall deformation. Further, paring it with the stock 255/40R18 will reduce the front-to-rear diameter stagger and therefore likely yield more useless DSC interventions. If you are willing to accept those compromises, it could be the right choice for you .

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

Choosing tire configurations is all about finding the right compromise for you. I am convinced a lot of sound engineering went into BMW's tire selection, but they made it for a specific set of compromises. A particular person might want a different compromise, hence why it perfectly OK to vary from the OE tires. You just need to be aware that, by changing tire specs, what you gain in some area of tire performance you might lose in others.

That being said, the tread width that BMW chose for the F8X are rather narrow. I theorize that it is mostly to improve wet capability at the expense of dry capability.

Going with the 295/35R18 will improve the rear tread width by a non-negligible 1.3", which should improve dry grip. However, it will have more tendency to aqua-plane in standing water. Also, while still within the acceptable range, the 295/35R18 PSS tire was not specifically designed for a 10" wide wheel, hence, you might have slightly more sluggish response in transitions due to sidewall deformation. Further, paring it with the stock 255/40R18 will reduce the front-to-rear diameter stagger and therefore likely yield more useless DSC interventions. If you are willing to accept those compromises, it could be the right choice for you .

Thanks for this Canut. Based on what you said I dont think the 295/35 setup would work for me as wet traction is important (it rains a lot here) and I certainly dont want useless DSC intervention.

What do you think of sticking with stock size front but moving to 285/40 rear which is in fact made for a 10" wheel? Would that create DSC problems as well?

[rx7gslse]

Hankook R-S4

I'm running 265/40-18 and 295/40-18, but not on stock wheels... Probably should check widths on wheels vs tires.

edit - Looks like they reccomend no narrower than 9"f/10f" wheels, so on the low side, but still within teh reccomended width range...


The tires rock!

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...Z232&tab=Sizes

[///M4ster Yoda]

Subscribed. I'm in the same boat OP.

Winter is also coming and I need to drive the beast this year. Gonna need a winter setup as well as new summer

[alex2364]

Why don't you go with 265 front and 285 rear since that's the OEM size for competition package wheels?

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by alex2364

Why don't you go with 265 front and 285 rear since that's the OEM size for competition package wheels?

I do not have the 666m wheels, I have the standard 18" wheels which I believe are 1/2" narrower front and back.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by alex2364

Why don't you go with 265 front and 285 rear since that's the OEM size for competition package wheels?

The 265/30R20(*) and 285/30R20(*) PSS are specifically designed as front and rear tires for 9" and 10" wide wheels. Not necessarily the case for any 265/40R18 and 285/40R18 tires.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Thanks for this Canut. Based on what you said I dont think the 295/35 setup would work for me as wet traction is important (it rains a lot here) and I certainly dont want useless DSC intervention.

What do you think of sticking with stock size front but moving to 285/40 rear which is in fact made for a 10" wheel? Would that create DSC problems as well?

Is there a 285/40R18 PSS available?

[M4Now!]

OP, have you thought about the new Michelin Pilot Sport 4S? FWIW, Tire Rack rates it a 9.3 out of 10, vs. 9.0 for the PSS. Will probably go with these next time. NOTE: Might not be a good idea for track use, a couple buyers on TR said they chunked the outer tread on the track.

Cheers

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by M4Now!

OP, have you thought about the new Michelin Pilot Sport 4S? FWIW, Tire Rack rates it a 9.3 out of 10, vs. 9.0 for the PSS. Will probably go with these next time. NOTE: Might not be a good idea for track use, a couple buyers on TR said they chunked the outer tread on the track.

Cheers

Are the PS4S presently available in 18" sizes for the F8X?

[x.shell]

You should try out choice 3) Continental ExtremeContact Sport. They're supposed to have better wet grip than the PSS while having the same dry grip and noise/comfort levels. Supposedly, they take a little more heat to get on, but don't get as greasy when the heat is on. They're a lot cheaper too.

The Michelin PS4 supposedly made some dry grip compromises (compared to the PSS) to improve the wet grip. Doesn't matter for you anyways because they don't come in 265/40R18 and 285/40R18.

I'm gonna be going with the Conti ECS on my next set. I got to push these tires at the BMW Performance Center and they are impressive.

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

Is there a 285/40R18 PSS available?

No unfortunately not. The continentals are the only 285/40/18 available.