[mko9]

I have a base model 2011 535i, so it came with the Style 237 (18x8) w/ 245/45R18 tires all around. When it comes time to replace my current POS run flats, I'd like to go a little bigger. I have searched, but haven't stumbled onto any discussion of how wide you can go up front. Clearly you can go to 275 in the rear. On my e46 ZHP that came with 225s up front, you can get another set of the wider rear wheels and run a square setup of 255 with no rubbing or spacers or anything.

How wide a tire can I run up front with no rubbing? What is the offset requirement? Is there a thread on this that I missed?

Cheers

PS - I don't plan to lower the car, so not a factor.

[remmib]

Do you want wider tires on the wheels you already have, or wider tires on new and wider wheels?

If you're keeping the wheels I wouldn't go any wider since they're only 8" wide.

I've got 255 and 295 tires.

[valbmw]

I believe this is one of the best threads about it: http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=664780. Used it to order my wheels, everything is correct.

[mko9]

Originally Posted by remmib

Do you want wider tires on the wheels you already have, or wider tires on new and wider wheels?

If you're keeping the wheels I wouldn't go any wider since they're only 8" wide.

I've got 255 and 295 tires.

I will very likely get new (lighter) wheels when I get tires. How wide I go on them is linked to how much rubber you can fit up front. I bought a set of the ARC-8 for trackdays in my e46. I like the look of them, they are lighter than OEM, and have withstood the rigors of trackdays and auto-x.

Valery, thanks for the link.

[mko9]

Ok, upon further review that link was not helpful at all. The entire discussion revolved around wheel size and offset. Nobody was really asking about tire size, and the couple references I saw suggested they are all still running 245s up front. I already know that works.

[voyagergab]

Tire width selection depends on the rim width and offset you go with among other factors.
IMHO there is no benefit going wider upfront.
Though I run 255 with 9" rim upfront and 285 with 10" in the rear.

[valbmw]

Let me explain a little.

The link shows there almost everybody running staggered setup on summer (square one is normally used with winter tires). Then it confirms there is nobody running front wider than 255 (OK, mostly 245) and you have confirmation from many experienced members. Reasonable maximum of 255 and 295 tires provided by remmib. And finally, it answers the question of no rubbing, that depends on rim width and offset as voyagergab said, for every particular tire width with proper positioning and flush look.

Conclusion: you can run 255 on 9" width and offset 25 with no rubbing (and no rolling fenders). For the rear wheels staggered setup all correct info is here above and in the proposed thread. For the rears square there is quite no examples and this needs to be measured by wheel shop, but I think with the same wheels as front ones, the rear offset should be about 20 for flush look, maybe with spacers and the longer lug bolts.