<E36 M3> Replacement Tires - AVS-I sizing problems

[SMILLER@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

I thought someone else would have already addressed this by now, but I
haven't seen it, so here's my .02 on the subject.

If the '97 M3 in question has traction control, it is important that the front
and rear tires be of the same, or nearly the same diameter.  If the fronts
and rears differ by more than (something like) 1%, the traction control
computer can read the rotational speed differences as a loss of traction
and will then try to correct by reducing the power, or whatever else the
traction control does on those cars.  I'm pretty sure you don't want this.

You can use the same size tires on both ends, even though the wheels
are different widths.  Just make sure to use a width that the tire
manufacturer says is OK to put on both a 7.5 inch rim and an 8.5 inch
rim.

Also, FWIW, the Yoko AVS-i is an old design that is not really up to the
performance levels that most M3 drivers expect.  It is, however, one of
the best tires you can buy in a 60-series or 65-series aspect ratio, for
you non-E36-M3 owners out there.

As far as the price of the MXX3s and the P-Zeros, welcome to the wild
wacky wonderful - and EXPENSIVE - world of 17 inch performance tires!
 You're just lucky you got 25K miles out of the original tires!

>Date: Mon, 7 Dec 1998 16:38:22 -0800 
>From: John Goddard <jgoddard@domain.elided>
>Subject: RE:<E36 M3> Replacement Tires
>
>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

Scott Miller
Golden Gate Chapter
BMW CCA #44977

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