Square 18x8 or 18x8.5?

[mLuMaN83]

I'm about to but some wheels and I am wondering what I should do here? Should I run 8 all around or 8.5? Any real differences?

[danewilson77]

I would go 8.5's all around. I have 8's all around and should only put a 245 on the rears (currently have 235 square setup).

My Sons ZHP leaves me wanting 255's back there, but I think it may be a far stretch on an 8" rim, though I'm sure you could do it.

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/fdcdb637-6b52-4632-bd5f-0c01487c1603.jpg

What is your desired tire size? That's what we need to know.

[mLuMaN83]

I dont know man. I dont know anything about tire sizes. All I know is I DD my bimmer, need new wheels and tires. I am clueless when it comes to tires.

[johnrando]

It's not a big diff, but I'd think 8.5 all the way around would look best. To some, 8's in the rear just seems a little small. 8.5 in the front is not a tough fit. I'm going 8.5 square soon.

Edit: BTW, what's the story behind your avatar?

[Pip]

What are the current tire sizes? It'll say on the sidewall. That would help to gauge if you're happy with the current setup. Once we have a starting point we can help push you in the right direction. Smaller tires (usually smaller rim) = cheaper.

[mLuMaN83]

Oh lol... just some chic here in Co. I need to change it. I'm leaving Colorado in a month and going back to Florida.

[danewilson77]

OK. I would say if you have no preferences, go 8.5 square, as John boy indicated. What rims are you looking at? What offset? What brand tires?

[nike001]

8.5" definitely.

Tire sizes could range from 235-255 and they'll all fit, even the 235 won't look stretched.

[mLuMaN83]

I was looking at a package from Mod bargains. VMR VB3 18x8.5 with Hankook Ventus V12 tires.

[danewilson77]

Sure. Dhu it. I had the V12's. Pretty good tire for daily-ing.

[Johal E32]

I was looking at a package from Mod bargains. VMR VB3 18x8.5 with Hankook Ventus V12 tires.

Sounds good. I would run 235's on all 4 corners IMO. It is a good size. I had 245's up front for awhile. While it looked meaty, it is too much tire for an E46, and the tram-lining is terrible when you run wide tires on the front two wheels..

[mLuMaN83]

Should make a decision in the next 2 weeks.

[danewilson77]

Ugh. Another teaser thread :)

[mLuMaN83]

tehee..

[johnrando]

Interesting comment re:235s. I've read a lot of recommendations on 245s all the way around.

[mLuMaN83]

I might go with Umnitza. 18x8. This all depends on their quote and what I can swing in the next 2 weeks. I need to move across country. Again!

Their offer is enticing... Anyone know anything bout the Nexen offering? The N3000 I would imagine? Im literally driving this every day under normal use. Nothing else.

[Crickett]

I'm planning on 8", 245/40 square. My reasoning:

1) Most everyone wants 8.5"s, so I should be able to score a pair of 8"s fairly easily
2) 8"s will be (a bit) lighter than 8.5"s
3) Compared to 255s, I don't think the 10 mm difference would be all that painfully obvious to me
4) 245s are a good bit cheaper than 255s (at least for Conti DWSs on TireRack)

My $0.02.

[derbo]

I'm planning on 8", 245/40 square. My reasoning:

1) Most everyone wants 8.5"s, so I should be able to score a pair of 8"s fairly easily
2) 8"s will be (a bit) lighter than 8.5"s
3) Compared to 255s, I don't think the 10 mm difference would be all that painfully obvious to me
4) 245s are a good bit cheaper than 255s (at least for Conti DWSs on TireRack)

My $0.02.

I run 17x8.5 and 245 wide tires. :)

Dunlop Star specs fit perfectly on the 8.5rim even though its a 245mm.

It's usually easier to get rid of 18x8.5 than 18x8 if they were the same rim. (easier to sell)

[mLuMaN83]

Made the decision. Going with Umnitza. Ordering tomorrow! I just cannot swing that extra doe and this needs to be done asap.

Stay tuned...

[bullfrogs_M3]

I am running 8.5 on all 5 wheels.

Put 235 up front and 255 in the back.

Get 8.5 as it will open up your options just a hair more.

[danewilson77]

I am running 8.5 on all 5 wheels.

Put 235 up front and 255 in the back.

Get 8.5 as it will open up your options just a hair more.

Agree.

Williamsburg, VA, Droid DNA, Tapatalk

[johnrando]

Why run square wheels if you run different tire sizes?

[bullfrogs_M3]

Why run square wheels if you run different tire sizes?

I tried a square tire setup on the car with the 8.5 but didn't like the corner feel to it. OEM is 235/255 I believe so best to run what the manufacture suggests

[danewilson77]

I tried a square tire setup on the car with the 8.5 but didn't like the corner feel to it. OEM is 235/255 I believe so best to run what the manufacture suggests

225

Williamsburg, VA, Droid DNA, Tapatalk

[GMATT]

Just a FYI................I am running CSL rep's from mod bargins with V1 coil over set up . 8.5 with 235 and they work fine. I use these at the track as well as street driving and can tell you the car is neutral in handling.

Gary

[Mike V]

I tried a square tire setup on the car with the 8.5 but didn't like the corner feel to it. OEM is 235/255 I believe so best to run what the manufacture suggests

A square setup typically provides a neutral feel. Manufacturers use staggered setups to induce understeer, because it helps protect untrained drivers from themselves. I must ask... what didn't you like about the corner feel? The only drawback I can see with a wider tire is that some tires might have a tendency to tramline.

[Newjack]

Just another minor thing to consider about wider tires, they aren't as good in the snow.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

[JupiterBMW]

Just another minor thing to consider about wider tires, they aren't as good in the snow.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

I believe the OP said he was moving to Florida... No need for snow tires!!

As for the wheel sizes, I recently installed an 8.5" square setup wit 245/35s all around. Love the setup. The offset is ET 35, pretty aggressive up front but looks great. :)

[Newjack]

I believe the OP said he was moving to Florida... No need for snow tires!!

As for the wheel sizes, I recently installed an 8.5" square setup wit 245/35s all around. Love the setup. The offset is ET 35, pretty aggressive up front but looks great. :)

Ah missed that part, thanks Jon. You don't have any problems with the 245 up front?

[JupiterBMW]

Ah missed that part, thanks Jon. You don't have any problems with the 245 up front?

Actually I rubbed once when hitting a little dip in a mildly aggressive exit of a roundabout... But I honestly don't remember if it was front or rear. In fact, when it happened, it took me a minute to realize what it was.

When I get back home, work will be done to make things perfect, and I do plan to lower it too. :)