Hello all. Quick question: I'm looking at going to a square tire setup (stock wheels) on my M3. What I'd REALLY like to know is if the 245/45/17 RE01's fit. I'm pretty certain they will with 10mm spacers up front, but wondered if anyone here has done it. I got contradicting info on bimmerforums (surprise), when I searched there.
Stock springs/ride height, 8.5/7.5 staggered wheels (NOT ideal, I know, but I need to work with what I have).
Thanks, Nathan
well, I run 235/45/17s on my to and it is lower with no rubbing if that is any help.. Ti's seem to run a slightly larger diameter than the 6cylinders. When I got the rims they had 235/40/17s on them
M3 DS1s are what I am running
245-40-17's are the proper size for your car if you're running 8's or 8.5's all the way round. A 245 on the front 7.5 is going to be pinched.
docwyte wrote:245-40-17's are the proper size for your car if you're running 8's or 8.5's all the way round. A 245 on the front 7.5 is going to be pinched.
Depends on the tire, really... I've seen 245/45-16 RS2s on SSR 16x7.5 rims and it was fine.
I know that the /40 is the proper size, but am looking at trying to run the ($78!!!) RE01R's from the Tirerack. I know the front tire will be pinched, but I know that that width has been run before on 7.5" rims, and I'm stuck with what I got.... Plan: summer/auto-x fun tire that's CHEAP. I know that 245/45/17 victoracers fit, but I'm not sure if the RE01R is oversize (or if the victo is under.)
Thanks again, Nathan
I am pretty sure that the 235s I have protect the rim, but do not balloon out from it.. 245 is only 10mm more at the tread (centimetre) so you are looking at 5mm on each side of the rim.. so it should not be THAT pinched
njansenv wrote: What I'd REALLY like to know is if the 245/45/17 RE01's fit. I'm pretty certain they will with 10mm spacers up front, but wondered if anyone here has done it.
Several years ago I put a cheap pair of 235/45-17 Kumho MX's on the front of my '98 M3/4 on stock 7.5" DSII wheels and they almost rubbed against the bottom of the spring perches on the Bilstein Sports. They were pretty close to the strut body too, but had plenty of room on the outside (i.e. not close enough to consider rolling the fenders.)
Based on what I remember from that, I'd say 245/45's on the same wheels would rub against the spring perch and possibly also against the strut body itself, and spacers would only fix half that problem. But I'm not sure if it was particular to the Bilstein Sports (i.e. I'm not sure if their spring perch is lower than, or strut body is fatter than, stock.) So maybe this is no help at all. 
Jon
Good points. I may have to go oldschool with a measuring tape tomorrow. It looks like I'll need at least 1/2" space with my current 225/45/17 if the 245 will fit. The perch is at an angle, so the spacer will help slightly... I think.
...eyes the rapidly dwindling stock of RE01R's...
Here.... try this nifty little tool out.
http://www.rims-n-tires.com/rt_specs.jsp
I LOVE this thing.
Well, I found a few people who have successfully run 245/45/17 V710's, which measure 9.4 wide and 25.4" OD according to Tirerack. The RE01's are narrower, by .3", and taller by .2". I think I'll try it. I LOVE the tire-sizing tool! Thanks, Nathan
Wow, that tyre sizing tool is amazing! So cool.
njansenv,
I have a friend who is running 245 re01's on his M3 with no problems. He's using 8.5 DS1's all the way around though.
You MAY need to run a spacer up front but you will be fine out back. I run a 235 on an 8.5" Kosei K1 up front with a 10mm spacer and it is more than fine.
gl
98' M3 coupe, AST 4100 coilovers: 3 sets of wheels.
-Michelin Pilot Sport PS2s on the stock staggered width rims 245/40R 225/45F -Toyo RA1s 235/40-17 of 95 M3 7.5" rims -Direzza stars 245/40/17 on 8.5" Kosei K1s, formerly mounted w/ RE01Rs.
The Koseis are on 5mm front spacers, and look like they'd rub somewhere, but they don't. It's really close, but tire rub is like horseshoes and hand grenades that way. Or pregnant, or stupid. It's on-off.
The 245 RE01Rs will probably rub, and the stock spring perches will fully be all up in the way.
Man up, get a good set of coilovers and some Direzzas. Or 710s.Or both.
I'd love to, but I'm manning up and putting family before the car: the car will always come after responsibilities. IF I can accomodate my hobby relatively cheaply, I'll do it. If I can't, I'll have to find something else to occupy my time. Coil-overs....someday....maybe. Not this year.
Thanks for the input, all of you. I'll be installing them within the next few weeks, and look forward to enjoying a premium tire on the
