I was wondering whats the widest tire I can use on a 17 by 8.5?
And what offset should i go with if I were to put on a 255 a et35 or a et45?

255 and 35et assuming your talking about an e36

yea 95 m3

Are you talking about the K1's? Actually I don't think they come in a 35 or 45 ET. I think what you want is the 40 ET. (size 17X8.5).

Ur right i just looked and its offered as a et40 do u think its possible with a really aggresive fender roll to putt 265 all around?:evil2

It's debatable whether or not you can fit a 255 in the front without a spacer. I highly doubt you can fit a 265 in the rear without serious work. You're going to have to roll the rear fender lips to fit a 255...

Originally posted by cosmosm3
Are you talking about the K1's? Actually I don't think they come in a 35 or 45 ET. I think what you want is the 40 ET. (size 17X8.5).

Call Tirerack, they have Kosei K1 blanks and can usually machine the offset you need for an additional charge.

I agree with DocWyte. 265 would be to larger. And the 255 on the front will probable need 10 mm spacers.

What I have seen as optimal is the 245/40R17 all the way around. I would think you may be able to fit the 255 with some work but no way on the 265.

So i could fit a 255 w/ a 10mm spacer. What manufacture should i go with? i know aa and rogue make spacers.

Originally posted by phily
I was wondering whats the widest tire I can use on a 17 by 8.5?
And what offset should i go with if I were to put on a 255 a et35 or a et45?

You will want an et45 to fit 255's all around. You will need a spacer up front, but thats not a problem. You aren't going to fit much more than a 235 with an et35.

What I have seen as optimal is the 245/40R17 all the way around. I would think you may be able to fit the 255 with some work but no way on the 265.

I beg to differ on this. Rob from Mpact fit 265/35-18's on 18x9et45 wheels all around. It can be done with the right amount of camber, correct spacer up front and obviously rolled fenders.

I may try 265/35-18 Kumho V700's once my 245/35-18 hoosiers run out. Problem is, those R-Comps usually run about a size bigger than street tires, so it might be an issue in the rear. This would be on a 18x9 et 45 wheel.

Originally posted by Spencer
You will want an et45 to fit 255's all around. You will need a spacer up front, but thats not a problem. You aren't going to fit much more than a 235 with an et35.



I beg to differ on this. Rob from Mpact fit 265/35-18's on 18x9et45 wheels all around. It can be done with the right amount of camber, correct spacer up front and obviously rolled fenders.

I may try 265/35-18 Kumho V700's once my 245/35-18 hoosiers run out. Problem is, those R-Comps usually run about a size bigger than street tires, so it might be an issue in the rear. This would be on a 18x9 et 45 wheel.

did Rob have to trim the bolts on his exhaust to fit such a wide tire in the back?

I believe the issue is what fits on a 8.5" rim (17"). That is why I would not recommend fitting 265's on the Kosei's. I would double check the 45ET, I think you are fine with 40ET most people are running.

Spacers, I would recommend either Rogue or H&R's.

I just recently had my 17x8.5 35et racing wheels stolen a few days ago :mad: , so i'll be going with some Kosei K1's as replacements. I ran the 235 ecsta V700's with no problem, but i'm thinking about going with the 255 victoracers on the K1's. However....

My car is still stock height (on Euro M3-GT springs), and i've only got 2 degrees of negative camber up front and only 1.6 degrees of negative camber in the rear. I plan on lowering the car in March or April of next year (with Eibach springs) and using swapped strut hats from '96+ M3 to gain more negative camber up front (hi DocWyte! :wave: ), but i'll be running a few events before that time and i'm wondering if i can run the 255's with my car in it's current state (with some 10mm spacers up front) or if i should just get 235's again next season.

Anyone care to theorize? :)

Here is my 99 M3 with 17x8.5 K1's and 245/40-17 Hoosiers (wider than most 255 street tires). 10mm spacers up front and rolled rear. No rubbing even with three wheels on the ground.

JT

Another with my co-driver at the wheel.

JT

Originally posted by Toon///Man
Here is my 99 M3 with 17x8.5 K1's and 245/40-17 Hoosiers (wider than most 255 street tires). 10mm spacers up front and rolled rear. No rubbing even with three wheels on the ground.

What kind of camber do you have front and rear, and is the car lowered? I guess the ride height isn't really an issue, but i'm thinking the camber would be...

TCKline Racing Adjustable Camber/Caster plates up front running at -4. Rear is at -1.5. With the front plates "out" it is at -2 and still no rubbing. My car is not lowered, but the wheels belong to my buddy (the co-driver above) and his 97 M3 Sedan is lowered at least 1.5" all the way around with no rubbing issues (except for a very minor inner wheel well in the rear on hard bumps).

JT

Originally posted by Toon///Man
TCKline Racing Adjustable Camber/Caster plates up front running at -4. Rear is at -1.5. With the front plates "out" it is at -2 and still no rubbing. My car is not lowered, but the wheels belong to my buddy (the co-driver above) and his 97 M3 Sedan is lowered at least 1.5" all the way around with no rubbing issues (except for a very minor inner wheel well in the rear on hard bumps).
Cool! Thanks for the info! :) 255's for me! :D