New Rims Incoming = Tire Fitment Help?

[ApexHitter]

Until I find my ZHP, I am enjoying my 2003 325i ZSP. Purchased some used 17" BBS LM rims off FB marketplace and now need to mount tires. I feel like I have done a bunch of research but would love to get some feedback. The sizing of the rims are:

• 17 X 8 ET40 (Front)
• 17 X 9 ET40 (Rear)

I like a smaller rim with a meaty tire look but don't want that preference to take me in the wrong direction. Currently I am looking at 3 options for a tire setup:

1. 225/45/17 (F) and 255/40/17 (R)
2. 245/40/17 (F) and 255/40/17 (R)
3. 245/40/17 (F+R)

In the picture below the car is on 225/45/17 (F) and 245/40/17 (R) so I guess that is another option. The only suspension mods planned are Eibach Pro Kit and Koni SA or Bilstein B8 shocks.

Would really appreciate some feedback or direction or even another tire setup suggestion.

Cheers,

Ryan

[Galapolis]

I used to run 225/245 as well as 225/255. I liked both. Don't run 245 on 8" wide wheels. Performance will suffer.

The 225/245 felt a little more natural for the car, but I preferred mountain driving with the 225/255 because I would never get wheel spin even with the open diff.

Also Koni SA and Bilstein B8 are complete opposites. That's like cross shopping a Honda CRV and a S2000.

[ApexHitter]

Thanks for the suggestions. At this point I am leaning towards 245/40/17 (F) and 255/40/17 (R) as having a staggered setup with staggered rims seems to make sense. Continental ExtremeContact Sport seem to be very well reviewed so those with likely be the tires I use but I do need to check the measurements.

After talking with Bimmerworld, they suggested that I do Koni Yellows with the Eibach Springs.

[t.er]

245s on an 8" rim can be done, but it's not ideal as it's a bit squeezed. It might look a bit odd, as your front sidewalls will be a bit bulged out, the rears not so much.

I have Conti ECS and they are decent for a street summer tire. One thing I do not like though is their very soft sidewall, but you only notice those being an issue at autox or track. You could also check out Firestone Indy 500, that also has great reviews and is a good bit cheaper than the ECS, I'm thinking of getting those once my ECS wear out.

Koni Yellows with Eibach Springs are a great choice. Heck, I regret not getting Koni Yellows, I went with Bilstein B4s because they were so much cheaper, and lifetime warranty.


Edit: One of my friends used to work at a company doing tire testing, he provided me this chart which shows what can fit, and what the preferred fitment is:

[sillieidiot]

Agreed with everyone else. I don't think I would run a 245. Maybe the 235 max. If you get Michelin PS4S. Michelin's sidewalls are thicker than some other tires, so a 235 will kind of look like you're doing 245s. But I would probably stick to the 225 though.