Square setup on staggered style 135 wheels

[ZHPRegistry.net]

I've seen a few posts recently here and on other forums regarding square setups. Here's a photo of my ride with 235/40/18 Conti DW tires on the staggered stock ZHP wheels. When I was in process of deciding there was lack of photo evidence regarding how square tires will look on the stock wheels. I really like the look and honestly it's not that easy to pinpoint the amount of difference in stretch front to back.

The car feels more alive now since the yaw angles have been equalized between axis. Also, for street only driven high performance cars, these tires are outstanding.

http://www.zhpregistry.net/images/square-tires1.jpg

http://www.zhpregistry.net/images/square-tires.jpg

[SoarinZHP]

Lookin' good. I've been wondering the same thing you have. Cheaper than buying staggered?

[ZHPRegistry.net]

520 for the set before shipping. Typically, 235/40 will be cheaper than 255/40 for any brand.

[danewilson77]

520 for the set before shipping. Typically, 235/40 will be cheaper than 255/40 for any brand.

+1. I endorse the 235 square as a fiscally responsible dd setup.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[zhpnsnv]

I have a weird thing about having the fatter tires on the back for the look. If I were tracking the car, it'd be all square. The desire to have wider rears is counter to $ logic as well as tire rotation.

[derbo]

The rim in the front is 8inch +47 and the rear is 8.5 +50. Rotating the rims would require spacers in the rear to accommodate the front rims in the rear wheel well without looking too sunken in. Besides that, its a good logical idea to have square setup. It helps decrease understeer too!

[zhpnsnv]

I wonder whether bmw's only rationale for staggered setup was understeer and looks. I guess we will never know.

[ZHPRegistry.net]

I wonder whether bmw's only rationale for staggered setup was understeer and looks. I guess we will never know.

Not looks, safety.

[zhp43867]

It looks good! Having run a 235/40 in the rear I can say it is noticeably more sunken than with the 255 in the rear on the same wheel. I also did/do occasionally miss the 255 rear on hard take-offs with the 235/40 rear but- at the same time- it is more economical, and if you don't drive your car hard, it may be the most practical way to go.

[ZHPRegistry.net]

For me it's the opposite, the car is far more willing to turn with this setup than with the 225/255... which makes actually better for spirited driving. If you are strictly speaking launching then yes 255 is better.

[zhp43867]

I just have issues with my car spitting gravel, seemingly more-so without the bigger rear tires. I think an ideal size might be a 255/235 stagger (for me). The car certainly can be reluctant to stay in line sometimes with the stock stagger and suspension on slower- off camber or weirdly cambered turns.

[derbo]

I run 255 all around for track but the factory specs 225 255 for daily. :)


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[johnrando]

I run 255 all around for track but the factory specs 225 255 for daily. :)


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Why is that?

Separately, thanks for posting the original pics, I'd been wondering what 235/40/18 looks like, as I'm going square but with 8.5s all the way around.

[aurelius]

$520 for the set before shipping.

Where?

I'm seeing $696 at TR:

http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l584/aurelius3/Random%20BMW%20Pics/TRContiDW23540.png

[derbo]

Why is that?

Separately, thanks for posting the original pics, I'd been wondering what 235/40/18 looks like, as I'm going square but with 8.5s all the way around.

I use the factory zhp rims. 255 on the front 18x8 is a bit overkill.


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[UdubBadger]

235 fits the fronts nicely but will look small on the rear.


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[johnrando]

I use the factory zhp rims. 255 on the front 18x8 is a bit overkill.


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But what about with 8.5 all the way around?

[UdubBadger]

255 is too wide up front me thinks. 245 would be biggest I'd go


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[derbo]

But what about with 8.5 all the way around?

Currently my 18x8.5 RPF1 is 255 all around. 245 probably is the more ideal tire selection size for 8.5 but I can't go back from 255 ;)

Buying 2 rear zhp wheels seem unnecessary with another set of rims on hand.

[aurelius]

$520 for the set before shipping...


Where?

I'm seeing $696 at TR:

http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l584/aurelius3/Random%20BMW%20Pics/TRContiDW23540.png

Anyone? Buehler...?

[UdubBadger]

I know conti reported higher costs because of oil so they're raising prices but that sounds about right to me. I paid $800ish for 235/265 set up of same tires last June


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[chris]

I'll give the square setup a try this year at autox and report back. If I get 2nd, it's your fault noro ;-)

Tires tbd

[chris]

Ok, I can report that turn in was greatly improved. BMW should have set it up this way from the factory, but I realize some understeer is safer to drive for the masses (plus wide rears look cooler).

I ended up in 2nd, but only because the autox chair's M coupe couldn't run, and he used his amazingly well setup e46 (ok fine, hes an amazing driver too, lol)

If you are considering it, I highly recommend it!

[chris]

Went with Sumitomo HTR Z III's, 235/40ZR -18's all around. Not nearly grippy as star specs, but lasted a heck of a lot longer.

The shop complained about stretching the rears on, but tirerack confirmed to them it was save. One season of racing hard on them, and they were no problems.

[Washburn]

Does the car need to be re-aligned after going to a square set up from staggered?
Can a 245 square set up be run on stock wheels? (I might want a bit more width than 235 if I ever went to a square set up)
-If yes, what profile should the 245 tire be?

[danewilson77]

Does the car need to be re-aligned after going to a square set up from staggered?
Can a 245 square set up be run on stock wheels? (I might want a bit more width than 235 if I ever went to a square set up)
-If yes, what profile should the 245 tire be?

Yes... 245 square can work. I think I ran 245/35/18.

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA

[Washburn]

Ah - Thanks, sir...
My dream is to get some style 264s and get a 235 or 245 square set up...
(hope 264s can take 245 as well...I think it's a bit skinnier than style 135)

[Torxuvin]

Does the car need to be re-aligned after going to a square set up from staggered?
Can a 245 square set up be run on stock wheels? (I might want a bit more width than 235 if I ever went to a square set up)
-If yes, what profile should the 245 tire be?

I have 245/40/18s all around. No idea if the previous owner recalibrated the speedo or not (probably not). No rubbing. Aftermarket wheels though.

[Washburn]

OK - i just found style 264 dimensions:
18x7.5 front,
18x8.5 rear

Should 245/35/18 be okay or will 245/40/18 be better? (sqaured)
Or is 245 too big for the front wheel?

[danewilson77]

Probably shouldn't put a 245 on a 7.5" rim.

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA

[Washburn]

Hmmm...235? but then I don't wanna run a 235 in the back 'cause it's a 8.5" rim and will be too small for it (I think?):(
what to do?

[UdubBadger]

235 should be fine, 245 way too big on 7.5" rim.

As far as the 8.5" rim I have 225s on mine right now. Looks smaller of course but fits and is doing its job.

[Washburn]

Thanks!
So in summary, for a square set up with style 264s, the only choice is 235 ... (I guess it will be ok but 245 would've made me happier)
any tips / guess as to what the profile should be for the 235?

[az3579]

Thanks!
So in summary, for a square set up with style 264s, the only choice is 235 ... (I guess it will be ok but 245 would've made me happier)
any tips / guess as to what the profile should be for the 235?

I went 35 profile when I had my 235's and wished I got 40-profile tires.
They look pretty thin; potholes were a risk. I'm thinking 40- or 45-series tires.

[Washburn]

Thanks for the tip - I def don't want it to be too 'thin' and have a huge fender gap in addition to pothole emergencies...

[danewilson77]

Thanks!
So in summary, for a square set up with style 264s, the only choice is 235 ... (I guess it will be ok but 245 would've made me happier)
any tips / guess as to what the profile should be for the 235?

I have 235/40/18.

I wanted a tad more sidewall as a DD.

[Washburn]

Thanks Dane. Will 40 be okay with the stock susp. as far as fender/tire gap?

Absolutely would be fine.

[Go Horns!]

Why not use four rear 264s?

[Washburn]

would be pretty hard to find - most people on forums will want to sell a set of 2 fr and 2 rears...
I guess one can buy 2 sets and then sell 2 fronts, but dang that's gonna be a big hassle...

BUT i guess forums aren't the only place to find BMW wheels...Anyone has any tips on what other sources might be good to find 2 rear 264s? or any BMW wheels for that matter at affordable prices..

Also, will a 8.5" wheel with a 245 fit in the front of a ZHP?

[danewilson77]

Should be no worries on stock setup.

[rickflairne]

would be pretty hard to find - most people on forums will want to sell a set of 2 fr and 2 rears...
I guess one can buy 2 sets and then sell 2 fronts, but dang that's gonna be a big hassle...

BUT i guess forums aren't the only place to find BMW wheels...Anyone has any tips on what other sources might be good to find 2 rear 264s? or any BMW wheels for that matter at affordable prices..

Also, will a 8.5" wheel with a 245 fit in the front of a ZHP?

I am running 4 OEM 135m rears with 255/35 tires and ZERO issues. I am running spacers in the rear to match the fronts. Can't go wrong with square set up IMO.

[Simmsled]

Bump...

I'm contemplating the following setup on my stock staggered wheels:

225/40 18 front
235/40 18 rear

Thoughts/comments/driving impressions?

I know I'm saturating the fronts way before the rears, and am going to decrease rear camber to help compensate.
Front already has camber pin poked out and -1 deg camber.
Rear is about -1.6.

But... reducing grip on open diff can decrease fun factor when grip turns to slip.

Thanks!

[UdubBadger]

What's the point? You're not getting max grip out of he rears at that size, you're not getting the same circumference at that size difference and you can't rotate all 4 tires evenly if they were square?

Personally I'd say either go full square or go factory staggered (and size up if you'd like but keep same difference as stock). I ran 235/265 set up on mine nicely but actually preferred the feeling of my 225 square winter setup.

[WOLFN8TR]

I recently switched to a Square setup. Rims are 18x8.5 ET35, Tires are all 235/40/18's with 10mm spacers in the rear. Looks great and handles perfect, plus I can now rotate. Click on my project thread link in my sig for additional photos. Here are a few after installing the 10mm spacers. The ones in my Project thread are without spacers.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/09/03/9b0aed7b4143134d4c4399616d70b34b.jpg

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/09/03/f6b54ac5329aa984c742a532bca29901.jpg

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/09/03/e57d2e11c7baffff3c2a8eac60a15cf2.jpg

[johnrando]

Yup, that's the better choice. Square setup on square wheels.

[UdubBadger]

Agree 110%

[webster]

Gary's wheels look great, and I had basically the same look with the avant gardes, but the 8.5 ET35 offset was a little too aggressive for my tastes. The wheels extended pretty far outside the wheel well/fender arch.

[pilotnick1203]

I recently switched to a Square setup. Rims are 18x8.5 ET35, Tires are all 235/40/18's with 10mm spacers in the rear. Looks great and handles perfect, plus I can now rotate. Click on my project thread link in my sig for additional photos. Here are a few after installing the 10mm spacers. The ones in my Project thread are without spacers.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/09/03/9b0aed7b4143134d4c4399616d70b34b.jpg

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/09/03/f6b54ac5329aa984c742a532bca29901.jpg

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/09/03/e57d2e11c7baffff3c2a8eac60a15cf2.jpg

Love your new rims BTW!


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[WOLFN8TR]

Love your new rims BTW!

Thanks! :cheers