M3 CS - OEM Front tire width difference (PSS vs Cup2)

[themightyshrek]

Last night I was browsing through some pictures of my car when it struck me: I have 255/35 R19 at the front (PSS) and not 265 as I thought I have.

So, it seems that if your care came with the PSS, you only have 255/35 R19 up front and if you have Cup2, then 265/35 R19. The rear seems to be the same size, 285/30 R20 in both cases.

Anyone else with PSS on his M3/M4 CS? What is/was the front tire width? 255 or 265?

[CanAutM3]

That is correct. BMW fitted the existing "star" spec tires on the CS and did not develop new sizes.

If you opt for the PSS, you'll get the 255/35R19 from the standard M3/4 and the 285/30R20 rear from the Competition pack M3/4. If you opt for the PSC2, you'll get the GTS front and rear tires in 265/35R19 and 285/30R20 sizes.

[themightyshrek]

Everywhere you look, the tires are given as 265/35 R19 and 285/30 R20. No mention of getting a 1 cm narrower tire if you don't want the Cup tires.

Weird, as there is a 265/35 R19 PSS with *.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by themightyshrek

Everywhere you look, the tires are given as 265/35 R19 and 285/30 R20. No mention of getting a 1 cm narrower tire if you don't want the Cup tires.

Weird, as there is a 265/35 R19 PSS with *.

That 265/35R19 (*) is the M2 rear tire which is not optimal as a front tire.

[themightyshrek]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

That 265/35R19 (*) is the M2 rear tire which is not optimal as a front tire.

Wow, thank you. Never thought of that.

So I guess, the only way to get 265 on the front wheel, is either going PS4S without (*) or Cup 2 *.

I saw that Cup 2*, especially for the rear, are offered in 2 versions that look identical. One is better in the rain (C vs E, the rating is required to be shown here in Europe), it is $20 more expensive/tire and gets a "only mount together, in pair and remove them in pairs too) or something like that. Have no idea why the difference. Newer model/version?!

Do you have Cup 2 or PSS on yours? How are the Cup 2s in the rain?

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by themightyshrek

Wow, thank you. Never thought of that.

So I guess, the only way to get 265 on the front wheel, is either going PS4S without (*) or Cup 2 *.

I saw that Cup 2*, especially for the rear, are offered in 2 versions that look identical. One is better in the rain (C vs E, the rating is required to be shown here in Europe), it is $20 more expensive/tire and gets a "only mount together, in pair and remove them in pairs too) or something like that. Have no idea why the difference. Newer model/version?!

Do you have Cup 2 or PSS on yours? How are the Cup 2s in the rain?

There are indeed 2 star spec 265/35R19 PSC2, one is for the GTS/CS front figment, and the other is for the rear M2 M-Performance 763M wheel package. However, are you sure there are 2 star spec 285/30R20 PSC2 for the rear? Because I see only one...

Yes, I have the Cup2 on mine. They are liveable in the rain, but certainly not as good as the PSS. I drove them deep into autumn in 0~10deg C weather. When it is wet and cold, that's where they really fall off. I could still daily them, but a moderate prod of the throttle could easily kick the tail sideways at highway speed in those conditions.

[themightyshrek]

You were right, there are 2 for the front, not the rear. Wanting to write something, doing the opposite I guess.

How to differentiate between which is the rear for the M2 and which is supposed to go to the front on the CS?

Really struggle between 4S and Cup 2.

EDIT: Friday and yesterday I kept searching and "pricing" a set of Pilot Sport 4S (2x265/35 R19 and 2x285/30 R20) and one of Cup 2s. Today, no online shop has 265s anymore! Only one Ebay seller has them and the asking price went up more than $120 since yesterday! Wow...they really got popular over night.

[elisiX]

I'm running Cup 2's on my CS and i'm due for new rears.

A set have come up in 295/30 R20, which differs from stock at 285/30 R20.

I'm running 12mm spacers on the front and rear.

Any potential issues with the small increase in tyre width, or should I source 285?

[Andrae26]

Originally Posted by elisiX

I'm running Cup 2's on my CS and i'm due for new rears.

A set have come up in 295/30 R20, which differs from stock at 285/30 R20.

I'm running 12mm spacers on the front and rear.

Any potential issues with the small increase in tyre width, or should I source 285?

How many miles did you get out of the rears?

[Steveo]

My M4CS came with 265 front PSSs FYI

[anurak]

I’m running PS4S on my M4CS
265/35 F, 285/30 R
Tread width difference= 0.3”
9.6” F vs 9.9” R

Coming from Cup2 from factory. I have an unbalance feeling when quickly turns the steering wheel. Like the rear is unwilling to follow the front.

My question is should I reduce front tyre to 255/35 like the PSS setup? Or I should increase the rear to 295/30 to eliminate this unbalanced feeling?

[7smurfs]

Originally Posted by anurak

I’m running PS4S on my M4CS
265/35 F, 285/30 R
Tread width difference= 0.3”
9.6” F vs 9.9” R

Coming from Cup2 from factory. I have an unbalance feeling when quickly turns the steering wheel. Like the rear is unwilling to follow the front.

My question is should I reduce front tyre to 255/35 like the PSS setup? Or I should increase the rear to 295/30 to eliminate this unbalanced feeling?

bumping an old thread - but this comment has me concerned.

My cup2 factory tires are goners and was looking to change to PS4S.

Anyone got an answer to the ideal tire size with PS4S for the CS?

[ENDL3SS]

Originally Posted by 7smurfs

bumping an old thread - but this comment has me concerned.

My cup2 factory tires are goners and was looking to change to PS4S.

Anyone got an answer to the ideal tire size with PS4S for the CS?

255/35/19 in the fronts and 285/30/20 in the rears for PS4S.

[RugbyBro]

Originally Posted by 7smurfs

bumping an old thread - but this comment has me concerned.

My cup2 factory tires are goners and was looking to change to PS4S.

Anyone got an answer to the ideal tire size with PS4S for the CS?

As an alternative, you could try the G80 star spec PS4S - looks like a meaningful improvement over regular. Those come in 275/35r19 and 285/30/r20

[Mospeada]

for some reason, they put stupid pss for US spec CS cars... everywhere else you got proper cup2 cars (same as GTS)

i had PSS 255/285 and trashed those at track days easily. got cup2 265/285

you can run any 265/285 tires on your wheels (763M, the best looking and light wheels ever).

i also experiemented with M2's rear 265 and it was no problem. i run new DT1 star 265 which is for M2 763M wheel set on front and it's no prob. in fact it's the best cup2 i tried. it is also 240 UTQG not 180, it does seem to wear longer. the rear is 180 cup2 and it wears quickly

once i'm done with cup2s i dont think i'll run michelins again they're so expensive and getting way more expensive. i bought bridgestones when they went clearance mode : S007A, RE71, etc. and i am going to use them up next year. after that, probabaly ECF or whichever is cheap haha. michelins way over priced, dont get hung up on star rated etc. just get normal black wall tires, you'll be fine . get 265 and 285. looks good and drives well just fine

[bweier]

Originally Posted by ENDL3SS

255/35/19 in the fronts and 285/30/20 in the rears for PS4S.

I did exactly this and could not be happier. I was lucky enough to find both fronts and rears with the BMW STAR rating on Tire Rack. The ride of the PS4S vs the Cup 2s is significantly better. Tire Rack did alert me that the 255 fronts were "out of spec" as the 265 is indicated, so they did call me to make sure it wasn't a mistake. I don't track the car, but I do drive it like it deserves...

As a side note, I bought the car with 11,000 miles last June, and I assumed the Cup 2s were original. It turns out the rears were replaced before I bought the car and only the fronts were original. Anyways, I tossed the fronts and kept the rears as backups or possible track tires. Isn't it slightly odd only the rears were replaced? Maybe a road hazard incident...who knows. Anyways, great advice on the 255 fronts for PS4S