RE:<E36 M3> Replacement Tires

[John Goddard <jgoddard@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Tom,

I'm not an E36 guru, but I think the tire size you want is 235/40/17. There
are lots of brand options in this size.  Also I think 245/40/17's fit in the
rear,  but don't quote me.

John Goddard
88 M3

> Date: Sun, 06 Dec 1998 19:03:34 PST
> From: "Tom Newton" <thnewton@domain.elided>
> Subject: <E36 M3> Replacement Tires - AVS-I sizing problems
> 
> Hi All:
> 
> Hard to believe it but after just 25,000 miles of spirited 
> driving, the 
> tires on my '97 M3 have had it. Anyway, I recently browsed 
> Tirerack.com 
> expecting many alternative choices to my MXX3's but was 
> shocked at what 
> I learned. The odd-ball OEM tire sizes for the '97 M3 (which 
> are 225x45 
> 17" in front, and 245x40 17" in the rear) are only available in two 
> brands - Michelin's Pilot MXX3 (OEM) for $1290/set! plus shipping, 
> mounting & balancing, and Pirelli P-Zeros for $928/set! Ouch. What's 
> going on here? It's frustrating to find a pair of Yokohama 
> AVS-Intermediates for the rear only to learn that they don't make 
> 225x45's for the front! This is especially annoying because 
> 1) AVS-I's 
> are excellent tires, and 2) they are half the price the MXX3's. 
> 
> So I guess my questions are:  seeing that Yokohama DOES make 
> a 235x45 17 
> size, should I consider going with these in the front and the 
> 245x40's 
> in the rear? OR should I even consider 235x45's all around?
> How do handling characteristics change with 235/245 or 235/235 vs the 
> OEM 225/245 layout? Do any of you have suggested front/rear tire 
> pressures for these differing set-ups (assuming spirited rural road 
> driving 80% of the time)?
> 
> Other issues to consider...this will be the last set of tires 
> this car 
> will ever get from me. Since it's a lease car which will go 
> back to the 
> dealer in April 2000 there's no incentive to stick with one size all 
> around like the 235's unless of course doing so is the best 
> performance 
> choice. Any suggestions?
> 
> Tom Newton
> '97 M3

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