[Somerset Jim]

I'm currently running style 230 alloys all round. The fronts are continental 225/35/19's and are in need of replacement. I am running Goodyear eagle f1 255/30/19's on the rear and these have plenty of tread.

I've been looking at the vredestein ultrac sessanta as an option or matching the fronts with the rears and having Goodyear f1's on the front.

My question is what would you have on the fronts and why?

Also can I fit 235 width on the fronts or should I stick to the standard 225 width?

[gaza01]

Id go goodyears as i like having matching front and back. 235s will be ok but it u have 255s at the rear then id go 225s for the front

[zltm089]

235 anyday

[Somerset Jim]

Originally Posted by gaza01

Id go goodyears as i like having matching front and back. 235s will be ok but it u have 255s at the rear then id go 225s for the front

So would you say it would make the handling worse if I went for 235's rather than 225's?

The plan was that if I put 235's on the front then I'd go for 265's on the rears when they needed changing.

[John320d]

Think about tramlining. BMW put in a lot of thought and testing before settling on tyre widths and loadings. Why waste their expertise?

[zltm089]

Originally Posted by John320d

Think about tramlining. BMW put in a lot of thought and testing before settling on tyre widths and loadings. Why waste their expertise?

Yeah....great effort on testing, research and development........ they make wonderful wheels too!...that crack!

[John320d]

BMW make wheels ?

[gaza01]

I dont think the OPs options that he is considering will affect tram-lining imo.
Ive run contis up front and good years at the rear with no issues.

OP if yr intention is to eventually size up on the rear then yes get 235s for the front now BUT the larger profile front tyre will look odd compared to the smaller profile rear...until you get the 265s but should cause any mechanical or handling issues.

[zltm089]

Originally Posted by John320d

BMW make wheels ?

last time i checked, yes....my car came with oem wheels....

and they sell "performance" ones too...

are you playing stupid again?

[Somerset Jim]

Thanks for the info everyone. Will go for 235 Goodyear's in that case. I'm of the opinion that BMW would want slightly narrower wheels so that the economy figures are as high as possible while still having the largest rims (19's) so they still look good. Hopefully there'll be no rubbing at full lock with the wider tyres. As for tramlining theyre not bad at all presently - my 5 series before was more twitchy and my e46 3 series before that was a nightmare with it!

Winters will be going on soon but will be interesting to see what they're like once fitted.

I think john's point was that the alloys are made by BBS. Although the I'm sure they go through lots of testing... Ducks for cover

[Kerr]

Originally Posted by zltm089

last time i checked, yes....my car came with oem wheels....

and they sell "performance" ones too...

are you playing stupid again?

I think what he's getting at is BMW don't actually make the wheels.

The wheels that crack are made by very well known wheel manufacturers under subcontract from BMW.

I think people would be surprised just how many other wheels do actually crack, or are like 50 pence pieces after a few months.

[225_AB]

At the risk of thread high jacking can I same for some tyre advice also. On my e92 330d I currently run uniroyal tyres all round but now need a new set for the rear. I need 255/30/19. I can get replacement uniroyals for £160 a corner fitted or good year eagle f1 asymmetric for £184. What do you think or other options?

[jackstrath]

Just out of interest what are the standard m sport alloy size ? 18's I think the tyre size is 225 on the front and 255 rear ?

Looking at alloys (19's) and they are 8.5j front and 9.5j rear (don't want any rubbing on standard msport suspention)

[bytejunkie]

Originally Posted by Kerr

I think people would be surprised just how many other wheels do actually crack, or are like 50 pence pieces after a few months.

B5 RS4 OEM Wheels perchance?
A wheel so bad Audi were still replacing them for free ten years after the cars left the factory.

[AndyN]

I'm running the Goodyear Eagle F1s on my E93 and I'd highly recommend them. Mind you, I've been running significantly cheaper Falken FK452s on our E92 for a year or two and they've been great too.

Frankly, I don't think you can go that wrong with the mid to high end tyres. If you're driving "spiritedly" a lot or are tracking the car, then absolute premium rubber is a must, it's one of the most overlooked things.

If you're just looking for a good balance of comfort, performance and longevity then the Goodyears are great.

By the way, try www.event-tyres.co.uk. Signifcantly cheaper than the prices you've quoted, offers mobile fitting, all inclusive and I've used them quite a few times, can highly recommend. £10 off with this too I think nov-r895y

Good luck!

Originally Posted by doc_ab

At the risk of thread high jacking can I same for some tyre advice also. On my e92 330d I currently run uniroyal tyres all round but now need a new set for the rear. I need 255/30/19. I can get replacement uniroyals for £160 a corner fitted or good year eagle f1 asymmetric for £184. What do you think or other options?

[zltm089]

Originally Posted by Kerr

I think what he's getting at is BMW don't actually make the wheels.

The wheels that crack are made by very well known wheel manufacturers under subcontract from BMW.

I think people would be surprised just how many other wheels do actually crack, or are like 50 pence pieces after a few months.

Yeah, i Know that.

My point is, as a customer, i'm buying a bmw car....not my problem who is subcontracted to make the brake pads or the wheels ....Pagid or BBS.....

My car is a BMW....if the oem wheel cracks ....I'm going to knock on BMW's door.....and I'm not supposed to find out who supplies them and where they get their raw materials from.

There are lots of "marketing"and "environmental" reasons why BMW would choose a tyre size, I don't think "performance" and handling would be at the top of their list for a normal 3 series. Perhaps on M cars where they are tested on the ring and performance may come on top their list but not for a 3 series.

Reading what he wrote about BMW testing/ R&D ....he made it sound like the 3 series is a fucking Veyron and been tested on several tracks and conditions! whereas, i think BMW were more concerned about the environment and perhaps agreements with tyre suppliers, marketing etc...

I've have 225s and 235s over a period of 6 years....and I found 235 much better suited for spirited driving and overall handling performance. And the OP wanted to know if 235 would be ok.

[225_AB]

Originally Posted by AndyN

I'm running the Goodyear Eagle F1s on my E93 and I'd highly recommend them. Mind you, I've been running significantly cheaper Falken FK452s on our E92 for a year or two and they've been great too.

Frankly, I don't think you can go that wrong with the mid to high end tyres. If you're driving "spiritedly" a lot or are tracking the car, then absolute premium rubber is a must, it's one of the most overlooked things.

If you're just looking for a good balance of comfort, performance and longevity then the Goodyears are great.

By the way, try www.event-tyres.co.uk. Signifcantly cheaper than the prices you've quoted, offers mobile fitting, all inclusive and I've used them quite a few times, can highly recommend. £10 off with this too I think nov-r895y

Good luck!

I have used event tyres and those are their prices, you weren't looking at 18's were you. Wife drives car mainly, never tracked.