Tire Advice

[Pip]

Alright so I got a flat tire yesterday (popped - looks like something stabbed my tire).
Luckily I came out to the car and started to back up, but heard rubber which was strange and looked to find my tire as flat as can be.

So I'm running 255/35/18 right now with the stock wheels being the 18x8.5 in the rear. I"m going to get two new rears, but I need some advice.

I've done the research that shows I should be able to run 235/40/18 just fine with a slight increase in sidewall and maybe a bit of a stretch. I know DW is running or used to run 235/40/18 on 18x8 (stalker status?). Anyways the guys at America's Tire said it would stretch and be lower sidewall, but not sure that is true. I'm not concerned about curb rash because I'm careful enough to not grind my wheels on the curbs so is there any other issues with running this tire size on the stock 18x8.5?

Main reason is price and getting more of a square setup in the future when I replace the fronts. I'm not even sure this makes sense considering I'm still running the 18x8 front and 18x8.5 rear.

Thanks.

[johnrando]

Not sure how to exactly answer your question but my research showed that for 18X8.5 square, 245/35/18 seems to be the favorite. Interestingly, they say your 255/35/18 is also good but to add negative camber to it. Finally, the 234/40/18 is doable but it was kind of a distant third, so I didn't research it much and I don't recall why it was not as popular.

[Crickett]

+1: If you're looking to run a more square setup, 245/35ZR18 on all four wheels (yup, even on the front 18x8") should be your best bet (second, of course, to getting another pair of 18x8.5" rears to put up front for a true square setup). 235/40ZR18 would be a bit too stretched looking on your rear 18x8.5", I'd imagine.

[Pip]

Decided on continental http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=ExtremeCo ntact+DW&partnum=34YR8ECDWXL&vehicleSearch=false&f romCompare1=yes

Seemed to have good reviews and after looking here I'm comfortable with tire size.
http://www.linquist.net/motorsports/bmw/wheels

I apologize for the n00b questions. Haven't messed with tire size at all. Tire rack employees are awesome btw!


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[Pip]

I'll let you know how it turns out. Might want to go to the 245/35 in the future.

Thanks


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[UdubBadger]

Ive ran 235 x4 on an 8 and 8.5 setup. it was winter so I woulda preferred wider in summer but it worked well. the .5" difference isn't much on a tire that size. You won't get the sidewall protection in the rear so just be careful at ATM's