[simplyeric]

I currently have a set of 18x8.5 et35 / 18x9.5 et43 that hasn't been fitted to my f30 yet. I also will be lowering it via KW Street Comforts removing the OEM m sport suspension.

Would it be better to use OEM 225/45-18 front, 255/40-18 rear lowered?

Or would it look better with 235/40-18 front, 265/35-18 rear lowered?

I don't want to rub, which is the biggest issue. Thank you!

[alohasurftoad]

OEM diameter is 26.0"

based on your wheel specs, none of these combos below will rub fenderwell, suspension parts, or fenderwell liner while turning:

245/40/18(25.7"), 275/35/18(25.6") widest setup
245/40/18(25.7"), 255/40/18(26.0") best for handling and for less power of your 4cyl
235/45/18(26.3"), 265/40/18(26.3"), best tire/rim width fitment, larger diameters will fill fenderwell gaps requiring less lowering.

235/40/18, 265/35/18 diameters are too small, it increases fenderwell gap which would require more lowering to reduce. speedo will also read higher than actual and odometer will accrue more than actual with smaller diameters.
.

[simplyeric]

Originally Posted by alohasurftoad

OEM diameter is 26.0"

based on your wheel specs, none of these combos below will rub fenderwell, suspension parts, or fenderwell liner while turning:

245/40/18(25.7"), 275/35/18(25.6") widest setup
245/40/18(25.7"), 255/40/18(26.0") best for handling and for less power of your 4cyl
235/45/18(26.3"), 265/40/18(26.3"), best tire/rim width fitment, larger diameters will fill fenderwell gaps requiring less lowering.

235/40/18, 265/35/18 diameters are too small, it increases fenderwell gap which would require more lowering to reduce. speedo will also read higher than actual and odometer will accrue more than actual with smaller diameters.
.

Holy smokes, thank you so much for the extremely detailed response and also the options you gave.

I made a mistake on the offset for the front. The updated spec for the front offset is 35!

Would that change the dynamics of the fitting whatsoever?

Good news - they have the 235/45-18's in stock.
Bad news - they don't have the 265/40-18's in stock nor do any of the dealerships locally plan on importing them.

I'm definitely not going full blown street racing as I'm trying to maintain a properly filled fenderwell gap look while also maintaining a better overall driving experience + comfort as a byproduct. The wheels I'm going for are the Apex EC-7's!

If they don't have the 3rd recommended tire sizes you mentioned, what would be the best setup for the criteria I just mentioned above w/ lowering in mind? Possibly the 245/40/18 and the 255/40/18?

[alohasurftoad]

from the apex thread, leadfoot12 has 18x9 et31, 18x9.5 et43 with 245/40/18, 275/35/18. fwiw, 18x9 et31 is more concave and arguably looks nicer than 18x8.5 et35 which is not concave much since it's face profile 1

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...0&postcount=65

245/40/18, 255/40/18 would be the best handling and plenty of straightaway grip for 4cyl power.

[simplyeric]

Originally Posted by alohasurftoad

from the apex thread, leadfoot12 has 18x9 et31, 18x9.5 et43 with 245/40/18, 275/35/18. fwiw, 18x9 et31 is more concave and arguably looks nicer than 18x8.5 et35 which is not concave much since it's face profile 1

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...0&postcount=65

245/40/18, 255/40/18 would be the best handling and plenty of straightaway grip for 4cyl power.

I totally agree but these are the only offset wheels they have in stock right now. I couldn't find ANY pictures with a 35 offset on the spec'd wheel I was looking for (currently live in korea).

Do you have any new recommendations for this exact setup for the front and rear that are common sizes?

[alohasurftoad]

unless you are willing to spend a lot more for a staggered set of forged ARC-8R or EC-7R, Apex doesn't have many good staggered fitments for you besides the flow formed EC-7

there are other brands that offer staggered setups that fit well but i need to know what your budget is for wheels, tires, tpms and what type of face design you prefer.

here is 18x8.5 et35, 18x9.5 et43, face profile 1 looks okay, whereas profile 2, with a bit more concavity looks better
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13
.

[simplyeric]

Originally Posted by alohasurftoad

unless you are willing to spend a lot more for a staggered set of forged ARC-8R or EC-7R, Apex doesn't have many good staggered fitments for you besides the flow formed EC-7

there are other brands that offer staggered setups that fit well but i need to know what your budget is for wheels, tires, tpms and what type of face design you prefer.

I am so sorry sorry to keep bothering you!

The exact fitment I provided for wheels are literally the only ones that are in stock and won't be getting any other models for another year.

I have to work with the EC-7's with the 35 and 43 offsets

Should I just stick with the 235's and 265's lowered?

What about stock oem sizing of the 225's and 255's? Would that look weird too?

Im not looking to slam, just lowered enough to have a finger and half or so inside the wheel fender gap.

[alohasurftoad]

if possible 235/45/18, 265/40/18 would fit 8.5/9/5 the best and require the amount of lowering. You may find you do not need to lower it at all since it easily reduces the gaps

OEM size 225/45/18, 255/40/18 is fine also. the front is slightly tire is slightly stretched and rear stretched just a pinch and require 4mm more lowering than the 235/45-265/40 setup to be at the same gap.
.

[simplyeric]

Originally Posted by alohasurftoad

if possible 235/45/18, 265/40/18 would fit 8.5/9/5 the best and require the amount of lowering. You may find you do not need to lower it at all since it easily reduces the gaps

OEM size 225/45/18, 255/40/18 is fine also. the front is slightly tire is slightly stretched and rear stretched just a pinch and require 4mm more lowering than the 235/45-265/40 setup to be at the same gap.
.

I cant thank you more than enough. Thank you. SO. MUCH.

[simplyeric]

Originally Posted by alohasurftoad

if possible 235/45/18, 265/40/18 would fit 8.5/9/5 the best and require the amount of lowering. You may find you do not need to lower it at all since it easily reduces the gaps

OEM size 225/45/18, 255/40/18 is fine also. the front is slightly tire is slightly stretched and rear stretched just a pinch and require 4mm more lowering than the 235/45-265/40 setup to be at the same gap.
.

Alright so did a quick call and still no luck on finding the rear tires for the 265/40/18

Seems like I'm stuck with either OEM or the ones I mentioned in the description of the 235/40/18, 265/35/18.

If you had to choose between the oem sizes of 225/45/18, 255/40/18 vs the 235/40/18, 265/35/18, which one would be preferable?

[alohasurftoad]

Between those two, OEM

If available, 245/40/18 front & 255/40/18 rear is better

[simplyeric]

Originally Posted by alohasurftoad

Between those two, OEM

If available, 245/40/18 front & 255/40/18 rear is better

These ARE available! 245/40/18 and 255/40/18.

About to pull the trigger. Anything I should know about when I lower it? I will make sure to post pics of these for you and credit

[alohasurftoad]

Get them... install wheels/tires 1st. Front will probably be lowered slightly more than rear...

Enjoy and post pics

[alohasurftoad]

since all vehicles are not perfectly symmetrical and may be off a mm or two here and there...when lowering, set the ride height close to where it's supposed to be, drive around a few weeks, then re-set the ride height more accurately by measuring distance from wheel center to fenderwell lip and looking at it visually as well. don't measure threads on the damper body.

[simplyeric]

Originally Posted by alohasurftoad

since all vehicles are not perfectly symmetrical and may be off a mm or two here and there...when lowering, set the ride height close to where it's supposed to be, drive around a few weeks, then re-set the ride height more accurately by measuring distance from wheel center to fenderwell lip and looking at it visually as well. don't measure threads on the damper body.

Perfect. I am going to be ordering the tires today.

Can't wait to get them fitted along with the new coilovers.

I'll make sure to take your advice at heart since this is my first time doing this.

Quick question brother. The tire size you recommended is it closer or pretty much the same as a square setup? Will the 245-40-18, 255-40-18's still show a pretty staggered setup visually?

Also, since I am lowering, will I need to adjust any camber? Again, don't want this to rub on fenders - I am trying to achieve about a finger and a half, or just a finger for the drop height

I hope the comfort isnt too harsh haha

[alohasurftoad]

The stagger between front and rear is just 10mm. visually, its difficult to see. However the handling difference between 225/45/18 to 245/40/18 is substantial as understeer is reduced and cornering speeds increased. Imo it looks more aggressive with wider fronts anyhow.

This tire size combo at +35 and +43 will not have interference anywhere.

I run this size combo myself @ +32 & +42

Lowering naturally adds negative camber and an alignment is required after suspension geometry changes, including lowering.
.

[simplyeric]

Originally Posted by alohasurftoad

The stagger between front and rear is just 10mm. visually, its difficult to see. However the handling difference between 225/45/18 to 245/40/18 is substantial as understeer is reduced and cornering speeds increased. Imo it looks more aggressive with wider fronts anyhow.

This tire size combo at +35 and +43 qmwill not have interference anywhere.

Originally Posted by alohasurftoad

The stagger between front and rear is just 10mm. visually, its difficult to see. However the handling difference between 225/45/18 to 245/40/18 is substantial as understeer is reduced and cornering speeds increased. Imo it looks more aggressive with wider fronts anyhow.

This tire size combo at +35 and +43 qmwill not have interference anywhere.

Yeah, I am definitely trying to prioritize the handling at highway speeds as I always do night drives (1 hour+) on my way home after I drop my wife off from work, so i always love to speed and whip through corners at high speed. I can't imagine what the car will do with upgraded suspensions over stock + the new wheel combo. Looking forward to it insanely.

Will the drop look pretty OEM+ with a drop? I am curious on how much the drop would look against the traditional 225's? Im assuming the 225 will look insanely small, haha. Btw, you've been so helpful I've looked through pretty much every post you've written!!

[alohasurftoad]

Although 245/40/18 is 0.3" shorter than 225/45/18, being wider and squarer, it fills the 3 dimensional gap that occurs with a stretched 225/45/18, especially at stock height. Lowering 25mm front, 20mm rear is a good starting point, then fine tune from there.

[simplyeric]

Originally Posted by alohasurftoad

Although 245/40/18 is 0.3" shorter than 225/45/18, being wider and squarer, it fills the 3 dimensional gap that occurs with a stretched 225/45/18, especially at stock height. Lowering 25mm front, 20mm is a good starting point, then fine tune from there.

Seems like the drops you recommended is within the conservative range of the KW street comforts!!

I wonder how much of a difference of a ride quality they will be vs stock m sport. I heard its night and day

[alohasurftoad]

yes, my lowering recommendation is in the middle of the range.

here is 225/45/18 swapped to 245/40/18 on OEM 397 18x8 ET34, notice the 245 fills the gap with it's square shoulder...
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...46&postcount=7

[simplyeric]

Originally Posted by alohasurftoad

yes, my lowering recommendation is in the middle of the range.

here is 225/45/18 swapped to 245/40/18 on OEM 397 18x8 ET34, notice the 245 fills the gap with it's square shoulder...
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...46&postcount=7

holy smokes, it looks way different even though it's measured in mm's..
it really does look like a spacer has been added. It's way more flush to the fender, which is what i'm trying to achieve for the oem+ look.

You seriously opened up a new world to me. I had no knowledge of diameters for cars. The first thing I will do is to make sure I stay true to the oem diameters. I always thought larger rims (19") and larger tires were everything.

BIG MISTAKE. I went way too aggressive.

My current setup is a 19x9.5 ET35 w/ 255-40-19's..

I was trying to shoot for a more conservative, refined, mature look.. I feel like I am driving a rice car right now T_T ahaha

[alohasurftoad]

Imo it doesn't look ricey. Its fine to me, albeit a bit aggressive.

Your new setup will be more subtle. EC-7 classic mesh has more of an oem vibe.