I recently purchased a '02 M3 and the tires need replacing. I have a friend of mine that has three of the four tires I need, so I would only need to purchase one. I need to confirm if the tire sizes, although not factory exact, would work with the factory 18" wheels. The tires I am looking at are 225/40/18 front and 265/35/18 rear. The tires are the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3. Any comments on the tires would be appreciated as well. Thanks in advance for all your help.

If you are going to use wider rear tires, you will have to use wider fronts as well to match the increase in rotational diameter or else the traction control is going to give you problems.

Recommended sizes are 225 f 255 r or 245 f 275 r. I heard some people use 235 f 265 r but those tire sizes are harder to come by.

The correct upsize is 245/40/18 front and 275/35/18 rear for 18" wheels. Stock size is 225/45/18 front and 255/40/18 rear.

The tires you are looking at would work, but personally I would stick to the correct upsize or factory. Also I have never heard of a tire height being "38".....then again I don't have experience with Goodyears. Maybe someone with that brand can add their input.

edit: Kevlar beat me to it

The correct upsize is 245/40/18 front and 275/35/18 rear for 18" wheels. Stock size is 225/45/18 front and 255/40/18 rear.

The tires you are looking at would work, but personally I would stick to the correct upsize or factory. Also I have never heard of a tire height being "38".....then again I don't have experience with Goodyears. Maybe someone with that brand can add their input.

edit: Kevlar beat me to it
Sorry! It was a typo! 265/35/18. Edited first post. Thanks!

bigger tires more stability in curves

bigger tires more stability in curves
It also means more unsprung weight, more wear on suspension components, more wear on braking components due to added traction and more wear on drivetrain components.

Trade offs.

Would 245/40-18 front and 255/40-18 work?

Would 245/40-18 front and 255/40-18 work?

Yes that will work. I actually run 265/35/18 and 285/30/18 on my track wheels and then 235/35/19 and 275/30/19 on my street wheels. Track setup feels beyond amazing and the street setup just looks good. Neither give me issues with my traction control.

AzN,

Thanks!

What about for 19 inches? now stock is F 225/40/19, R 255/35/19. Guys from Goodyear installation recommend F 235/35/19, R 265/30/19.

Is the sidewall getting too thin? Any comment on that?

I have 245/40/18 and 265/35/18 on my last two sets of tires. I wanted to narrow the gap between front and rear width. Feels great and no problems. The tires I'm using/have used didn't hurt either (PS2's first set and Br RE-01R's this set).