[nadthomas]

My Apex Arc-8 18x9 ET42 will be arriving next week, and I'm still debating on the tire setup either 245/40/18 or 255/40/18 square. This is the first mod to my baseline 328i, which is my DD. I will also AutoX on this setup about once a month through the summer. I have decided on Michelin Pilot Super Sports given all the rave reviews as a street/track tire.

My suspension is stock for now, but some springs (undecided) will follow soon as its too soft and rides too high for my liking. Likely just some Dinan or Eibach springs, the car still needs to remain comfortable-ish for wife and baby on the way.

I'm trying to keep costs in check, so I would prefer to squeeze the fattest square tire setup without rubbing and without spacers/alignment/fender roll.

Help me decide. Thanks!

[BennnChen]

I'd say go with the 245/40 and have a slight stretch so it wouldn't rub. Do you plan to use those wheels for the winter?

[nadthomas]

Originally Posted by BennnChen

I'd say go with the 245/40 and have a slight stretch so it wouldn't rub. Do you plan to use those wheels for the winter?

No. I'll be putting some winter rubber on the stock 17's, and for now I have an 02 Explorer Sport lifted with 33" M/T tires that I drive on really ugly days.

[BennnChen]

Originally Posted by nadthomas

No. I'll be putting some winter rubber on the stock 17's, and for now I have an 02 Explorer Sport lifted with 33" M/T tires that I drive on really ugly days.

Oh okay, do you plan to track your car? This guy who had the PSS and Continental DW recommended to go with the DW since I didn't plan to track it. I was in the same situation, PSS or DW but ended up getting the DWS 06 bcuz it has more tread

[nadthomas]

Yep, I'm set on getting the MPSS as I will be doing Autocross on them as well. Just trying to determine if 255/40/18 will have any clearance issues.

[alohasurftoad]

the rears will fit fine.

i am not sure the front will fit without spacers. with the 18x9 et42, the wheels are tucked 8mm further and 25.4mm wider than oem specs. i think you may need to run a minimum 7.5mm, preferably 10mm or 12.5mm spacer up front.

turner has bmw big pad 7.5mm spacers with hub extender kit or 10 and 12mm spacers with hublip and extended bolts, i'd recommend

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by nadthomas

My Apex Arc-8 18x9 ET42 will be arriving next week, and I'm still debating on the tire setup either 245/40/18 or 255/40/18 square. This is the first mod to my baseline 328i, which is my DD. I will also AutoX on this setup about once a month through the summer. I have decided on Michelin Pilot Super Sports given all the rave reviews as a street/track tire.

My suspension is stock for now, but some springs (undecided) will follow soon as its too soft and rides too high for my liking. Likely just some Dinan or Eibach springs, the car still needs to remain comfortable-ish for wife and baby on the way.

I'm trying to keep costs in check, so I would prefer to squeeze the fattest square tire setup without rubbing and without spacers/alignment/fender roll.

Help me decide. Thanks!

I am able to run APEX ARC-8 18x8.5 ET38 with 255/40/18 Michelin PSS all around on my 2014 335i M Sport RWD with no issues or rubbing (even when tracking).

[nadthomas]

Thanks for everyone's helps. I went with the 255/40/18 MPSS, and got them installed yesterday. I haven't climbed under the car to double check clearances, but with the highway driving and few corners I was able to chuck the car around yesterday and today there has been no rub.

Speaking of chucking the car around corners. The grip of these MPSS are fantastic, I have to work really hard before these will just barely start to brake loose. I'm really looking forward to giving these a workout on an AutoX course. Its definitely time for me to upgrade the suspension and add more power.

[NICKTENN]

Pics?? I'm semi considering this exact setup. How flush are the wheels? In my calculations, ideally I would like to push the wheels out an additional 4mm.

[nadthomas]

This is the only one I have at the moment. Just a quick one I snapped after unloading the original wheels during lunch yesterday. I know you can't tell how flush they are from that angle at all, and I need more low.



I think they set pretty flush. They certainly fill out the wheel well better then the stock setup, but its also kind of hard to tell with that much wheel gap. I'm not sure how much further you could push them out before you rub. I'll try to get more picks this weekend after I get a chance to wash all of the pollen off the car.

[T1M3LESS]

Looks good!

Wonder if there will be issues with this setup on a lowered car.

Also considering a square 18 setup for occasional track use with MPSS 255/40/18

[NICKTENN]

Originally Posted by nadthomas

This is the only one I have at the moment. Just a quick one I snapped after unloading the original wheels during lunch yesterday. I know you can't tell how flush they are from that angle at all, and I need more low.



I think they set pretty flush. They certainly fill out the wheel well better then the stock setup, but its also kind of hard to tell with that much wheel gap. I'm not sure how much further you could push them out before you rub. I'll try to get more picks this weekend after I get a chance to wash all of the pollen off the car.

Any additional pics or comments you can provide?

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by NICKTENN

Any additional pics or comments you can provide?

Square setup for 2014 335i M Sport RWD with M Sport Brake Option.

APEX ARC-8 18x8.5 ET38
Michelin PSS 255/40/18

[NICKTENN]

Originally Posted by Polo08816

Square setup for 2014 335i M Sport RWD with M Sport Brake Option.

APEX ARC-8 18x8.5 ET38
Michelin PSS 255/40/18

Lowering springs?

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by NICKTENN

Lowering springs?

Stock Sport Suspension.

[black_F10M5]

Originally Posted by Polo08816

Stock Sport Suspension.

Hey any chance you can measure your ride height from ground to bottom of fender? I average anywhere from 27.25 to 27.5 and I am stock xDrive. Just trying to gauge how much more gap I would have versus your setup.

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by aw328i_NJ

Hey any chance you can measure your ride height from ground to bottom of fender? I average anywhere from 27.25 to 27.5 and I am stock xDrive. Just trying to gauge how much more gap I would have versus your setup.

I would imagine you'd be around 10mm taller.

255/40/18 is has the original diameter so the only real difference would be base vs. sport suspension.

[MickAv8r]

Originally Posted by nadthomas

This is the only one I have at the moment.

Would love to see some more pics, especially detailing fitment. I'm looking at grabbing some EC7s for track duty and trying to decide between 8.5 ET35 and 9.0 ET42 - I know the 8,5 will fit, but the 9s are currently cheaper.

[maleman000]

Just went with Tsw Bathhursts 8.5" 35 and 255 continentals. Pretty happy with the look and performance.

[NICKTENN]

I guess I'm the only one who likes silver wheels in here, haha.

[Polo08816]

Originally Posted by NICKTENN

Lowering springs?

[MickAv8r]

Originally Posted by NICKTENN

I guess I'm the only one who likes silver wheels in here, haha.

nope I'm running silver bathhursts