Need new tyres - BMW 225/45s - can I change profile safely?

Han_naH

My tyres are

225/40Z R18 88Y

They need replacing, so I want new tyres that are not as low profile and hard "racing" tyres but instead more like standard tyres - with bigger profile?

I expect the steering and fuel economy to improve, because my existing tyres are rock hard ditch-finders and uncomfortable.

Question is do I change the 40 to 45, or even higher?
I don't want tyres that LOOK like they are off a Fiat Panda, either. That would devalue the car.
One website says I can use these -

205/55 R16 91V
205/50 R17 89W
225/45 R17 90W
225/50 R16 92Z

What happens when I change the width? (205-225)

Another site only recommends -

225/45 R17
245/40 R17
255/35 R18

The original manufacture tyres were 225/45 R17 91W

Anyone?

goldspanners

does this help you?

Chippy_Minton_2

How are you gonna fit 16" and 18" tyres onto your 17"rims?

custardy

as said you can only fit 17" tyres

the 17 refers to size 225/45 R17
how did you find the 45 profile? or did you not fit the 40 profiles on them?
40 is very low and no surprise you are feeling it

MX5huggy

Chippy_Minton wrote: »

How are you gonna fit 16" and 18" tyres onto your 17"rims?

Indeed so you can only consider anything R18, unless you are willing to change the wheels.

What BMW is it are they currently run.flat tyres on it?

I would expect you could swap for no cost to you 18 inch rims with someone for 17's or 16's if you wanted.

Remember the profile is expressed as a % of the tyre width not an actual measurement.

I would be asking on a BMW forum for specific tyre recommendations for you car.

Chippy_Minton_2

MX5huggy wrote: »

Indeed so you can only consider anything R18, unless you are willing to change the wheels.

They won't fit 17" rims either.

Sorry you're right rea read OP appears to have repleace his original tyres on his 17" rims with 18" tyres.

custardy

Chippy_Minton wrote: »

They won't fit 17" rims either.

Sorry you're right rea read OP appears to have repleace his original tyres on his 17" rims with 18" tyres.

missed it as well
too many sizes lol

Chippy_Minton_2

Remember OP, change your tyre profile and keep the same width on the same rims. You'll be posting on here again when you're done for speeding with your speedo reading under the speed limit.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Before you go to the expense of different wheels, you don't seem overly worried about the hard ride, more concerned over the slippery aspect of your tyres.

I assume the present tyres are from the budget end of the market or runflats.

If you invest in some quality rubber you will see a marked improvement of grip and steerability.
I would recommend Vredestein Sportrac 3's or Toyo T1R's without hesitation as summer tyres, with the thought that you go for Vred's Quatrac 3's for all season tyres instead.
Obviously none of these will be runflats, so you'll have to find yourself a space saver and jack etc from a suitable car if you don't have them already.
These tyres are well proven and not much more expensive than budget's.

I assume you have a 3 series, the best ride quality for those will be on 205/55 x 16's, but as you rightly say if you think of selling your target market wants the huge wheels for their looks.

If you don't mind keeping your present wheels for fitting come sale time you could search out a set of 16" alloys from fleabay for your own use in the meantime.

Don't think for one minute that a 3 series will ever have limo ride quality even if on 80 aspect tyres, they are hard sprung cars designed for handling not ride.

harveybobbles

Another one of these annoying "I want a sports car but with the sportiness taken away" thread...

Trade it in and buy a Volvo or something...

Or put it back on the original size wheels. Car makers spend years designing wheels and chassis for the right size combination.

Wig

goldspanners wrote: »

does this help you?

or this one perhaps?

Current tyres
225/40/18
Original tyres
225/40/17

Your speedo reads 4.2% too slow, you are going faster than you think you are.

You will need new wheels to put on tyres of R17 or R16.