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[SHOWTIME]

Sadly, I too go through this problem. I actually time myself in between cracks whenever I want to floor it. The traction can get very dangerous on a curvy and bumpy road. It just sucks.

I have no doubt that it's the RFTs. I can feel it. I'm surprised you haven't gotten more recommendations on Michelin PSS. I have no personal experience yet, but you'll be amazed at their performance reviews on tirerack and youtube. Check em out. I will install mine next month.

As for size, I'd recommend you stick to your stock specs. Going non RFT will increase bodyroll a bit due to more flexible sidewalls. Going with wider tires on the same wheels will increase that outcome. With wider tires on same rim, you may increase straight line grip but will loose some handling and steering reaction.

[abhishriv]

^ +1, i forgot about that aspect of body roll with the wider tires on stock wheels. people running 235 and 265 tires are usually running 8.5" and 9.5" wide wheels.

[Gimmethecash]

You didn't mention it, but the first thing you need to do to get more acceleration is turn off the lame-ass traction control, unless there's ice & snow on the road. Hold the button down until you get the triangle in a circle.

The traction control on this thing is way too sensitive and starts fighting forward momentum at the first pavement imperfection under acceleration. I can leave a little rubber with it off, but it launches much better with a little wheelspin anyway.

[ronny214]

I did this once and got slide

[Gimmethecash]

Time for LSD, then.

[The Kingpin]

Originally Posted by abhishriv

the 225 and 255 refers to the width of the tire. usually each tire size has a wheel size range which they can fit on. for example the stock 19" rear wheels that come with bmws are 19" x 9". the 255 width rear tires are able to fit on wheels that range from 8.5"-9.5", so they fit on the wheels just fine.. the 265 tires are able to fit on wheels which are 9" - 10", so they will also fit on the stock 9" width wheels but the benefit is that they will give more surface contact area to the road, meaning more grip. (note: this is an example, different tires have different wheel size ranges that they can accommodate).

Thanks for the explanation.

So i have 225/40/18 and 255/35/18 on my 335i sedan. What is the widest tire i can get? I know changing the tire width will change diameter and make speedo out a bit, but how far can i push it.

[achien]

Originally Posted by ronny214

So this issue may not even belong in the tire section, but from what I've researched so far it seems that my issue is tires. I'm currently driving a 2011 (N55) 335i (e90/automatic) with RWD and the Sports Package. I notice that a lot of times when I leave a stop light if there are bumps or small potholes in the road, pretty much any type of un-smooth pavement that you wouldn't think would cause an issue, my tires just do not get good traction on them. I can gas it from the stoplight, hit these spots, lost traction, the traction/stability control kicks in, and i get power cuts as it tries to restore traction. This is even more frustrating now that I have the JB4 and I want to have some fun with it. I'm even experiencing this on entrance ramps where there might be a small raise in the asphalt.

From reading different threads, trying typical to absurd search terms in the advanced search and on google, it seems that others experiencing this issue were told it was their tires. What I've read has said that the stock OEM run-flat tires just have all around bad traction. Yet in all of this reading, I haven't been able to find a good recommended tire. At this point I'm tired of searching and reading threads that either do not relate to my car, or are just so outdated I don't know if I can trust them.

So my questions:

1) Will non-oem non-runflat tires fix my traction issues, or at least improve it?
2) Whether it will, or will not, what is a good tire for the car. I am about to the point where I need to buy new tires anyways. Running my car with the JB4 stage 2 and otherwise stock, what are the recommended tires for performance, traction, and great wear?

Thanks!

+1, you need to revamp your entire suspension. Putting on lighter forged wheels help too.

Originally Posted by 3er

I'm not sure that any tire performs well under WOT while on bumpy roads...

[ronny214]

Originally Posted by achien

+1, you need to revamp your entire suspension. Putting on lighter forged wheels help too.

Revamp my suspension? I already have the upgraded suspension that comes with the sports package. That and the nicer wheels was the entire reason I went with the sports package.

[abhishriv]

Originally Posted by The Kingpin

Thanks for the explanation.

So i have 225/40/18 and 255/35/18 on my 335i sedan. What is the widest tire i can get? I know changing the tire width will change diameter and make speedo out a bit, but how far can i push it.

on the stock wheels, i belive you will only be able to go up to 235/40/18 and 265/35/18... if you wish to go wider you will have to look into aftermarket wheels which are wider

[ronny214]

Originally Posted by abhishriv

on the stock wheels, i belive you will only be able to go up to 235/40/18 and 265/35/18... if you wish to go wider you will have to look into aftermarket wheels which are wider

I'll most likely go stock size, just better quality non-rf tire.

[achien]

I understand it's hard to comprehend, but there are better suspension packages out there than BMW's.

My car has the OEM sports suspension and the 162 wheels too, but I plan to get the BBS forged wheels for the coming summer, and the Dinan S3 suspension upgrade.

Each BBS wheel will be an average 12 lbs lighter than BMW's 162 (18 vs. 30 in front, and 20 vs. 32 in rear).

As for the suspensions, the S3 will put in Koni struts, springs, and shocks. The front of the car will be lowered, the front suspension will soften, but a front-sway bar and camber plates will be added (to minimize under-steer). The rear suspension will stiffen up (again, to minimize under-steer).

At the end of the day, you have to "pay to play". As you get higher into the performance bar, any incremental performance benefit will cost you a lot of money (law of diminishing return).

Originally Posted by ronny214

Revamp my suspension? I already have the upgraded suspension that comes with the sports package. That and the nicer wheels was the entire reason I went with the sports package.

[abhishriv]

Originally Posted by ronny214

I'll most likely go stock size, just better quality non-rf tire.

btw this will not affect your speedo.. as you are only changing the tire width not the diameter...

[ronny214]

Originally Posted by achien

I understand it's hard to comprehend, but there are better suspension packages out there than BMW's.

My car has the OEM sports suspension and the 162 wheels too, but I plan to get the BBS forged wheels for the coming summer, and the Dinan S3 suspension upgrade.

Each BBS wheel will be an average 12 lbs lighter than BMW's 162 (18 vs. 30 in front, and 20 vs. 32 in rear).

As for the suspensions, the S3 will put in Koni struts, springs, and shocks. The front of the car will be lowered, the front suspension will soften, but a front-sway bar and camber plates will be added (to minimize under-steer). The rear suspension will stiffen up (again, to minimize under-steer).

At the end of the day, you have to "pay to play". As you get higher into the performance bar, any incremental performance benefit will cost you a lot of money (law of diminishing return).

Interesting. Something I will have to look into when I get a bit more cash.