Would the 255/40/17 wide tire fit on a 8" wide wheel?

[Rick L]

I have 17x8 wheel (BMW BBS Style 42) and like to install 255/40/17 for the rear. Would the 255/40/17 wide tire fit on a 8" wide wheel?

Thanks,
Rick

Picture link to my 525i: http://home.comcast.net/~jungerishere/BMW1.JPG

[Craig]

That size will fit the wheel, yes. It's about as wide as you'll ever want to go on an 8" wheel though.

[Javier]

nt

[bahnstormer]

what are your front widths?
if u have 225 or (i hope not) 205/215 fronts
then u'll experience understeer like u've never experienced it before
235/255 isn't bad with my sachs kit, but u can feel it at high speeds

[Rick L]

Fronts are 235/45/17 and the rears are the same. I would like replace the REAR tires with 255/40/17. Wheel size is 17x8 and wasn't sure if 255/40/17 will fit on 8" wide wheel.

Thanks,
Rick

what are your front widths?
if u have 225 or (i hope not) 205/215 fronts
then u'll experience understeer like u've never experienced it before
235/255 isn't bad with my sachs kit, but u can feel it at high speeds

[DueyT]

Rick, 255/40-17 should be relatively balanced, with a hint of understeer as bahnstormer noted. Of course the understeer can be modulated with your right foot. I can turn understeer into oversteer on my 235/255-equipped and chipped 540i/6 pretty quickly (well, not as quickly as someone with, say...a 911).

I would double check with your tire manufacturer as to what the minimum rim width can be. I have 9 x 17 #5's in back shod with ContiSportContact2 and they're spec'd for 8.5"-10" rims so you'd best make sure...you'd hate to have a tire loose the bead seating at high speed! :o

Cheers,
Duey

[David Chen]

As others have said, 255/40 will work on an 8" wide rim but there will be more treadwear in the center since the contact patch isn't flat against the ground.

Cheers,

David
(with a pair of 17x9 bare M5 wheels for sale)