[Gary@Tirerack] Fitment for 01 Z3 M Coupe

[MPOWEROH]

I have the stock wheels and tires on my 2001 M coupe. I am getting ready to buy the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS - D3 from Tire Rack. Stock size is 225/45/17 Front and 245/40/17 in the Rear. How wide a tire can I fit on the stock wheels? What advantage, if any is gained by wider tires in Front? In Rear? Can you explain the reason it is important to maintain the stagger in size between the front and rear. I drive this car in summer only, street only, spirited driving on the Dragon (couple of times a year). Want max handling and feel. Can you recommend a size?

[Gary@Tirerack]

I have the stock wheels and tires on my 2001 M coupe. I am getting ready to buy the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS - D3 from Tire Rack. Stock size is 225/45/17 Front and 245/40/17 in the Rear. How wide a tire can I fit on the stock wheels? What advantage, if any is gained by wider tires in Front? In Rear? Can you explain the reason it is important to maintain the stagger in size between the front and rear. I drive this car in summer only, street only, spirited driving on the Dragon (couple of times a year). Want max handling and feel. Can you recommend a size?

Common to go to 235/45R17 up front and 255/40R17 rear. 265/40R17 will even fit in the rear, but it is not a very common tire size. The small difference between 225/45R17 and 235/45R17 will be mostly cosmetic. Most agree that staggering is mostly for cosmetics, but for your car your rear wheel is 9" wide and front wheel is 7.5" wide, so there is not a good size in a non-stagger that will look right on the car with those wheels.

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