To stretch or not to stretch...

[cbxsage]

Just bought a 540 with 18' M5 staggers. The rears are 255/35 and I don't really feel that confident. They seem to stick OK, yet I haven't done ant serious stuffing. I have read that 265-275 is what most people are using. As I understand it, these tires are too narrow and yet this is what's popular in Europe, because of adhesion? Any feedback would be helpful. :confused:

Thanks

[tbal69]

wider the better, 275s is what i seen most on e39s, and looks great! what is the rear rim size/width?

[cbxsage]

wider the better, 275s is what i seen most on e39s, and looks great! what is the rear rim size/width?

OK, this is where (and probably the only time...I promise!) I get to pull out my newbie card. What I was told, by the previous owner, was that the rims were standard M5 staggers. From what I have gleaned here, and looking at used rims on eBay, is that they should be 8.5-9.0 rears. However, without looking at the inside of the rim for casting info, I'm really not sure. Hell, for all I know, they are copies. At any rate, This car will be a work in progress and more than likely will do a lttle de-volving and re-evolving before I'm done. I do not particularly like the "Black Chrome" look and would rather have polished, but for now the Pilots are new and I will drive these things out. I just can't seem to get past the whole "stretched" thing. I like to have the option of getting my "ya-ya's" out on some mountain backroad, when I feel it, I am just concerned about breaking beads and such... Have you ever heard of that happening with these euro-stretch setups?

"It's 106 miles to Chicago, we got a halfa pack of cigarettes, a full tank of gas, it's midnight and we're wearin' sunglasses...HIT IT!"
(Jake Blues)