325 rear tires

[pjsatz]

Anybody know of any problems putting 245/40-17 tire on the rear of a 325 with sport package. Will they even fit on the wheel that comes with the sport package? I notice the 330 with sport package (17" wheels) has a little better handling and feels a little more "planted" on the ground than the 325. I didn't know if this was because the 330 is lower or because of the rear wheel and tire size or probably it is both?

Thanks!

[kyfdx]

Anybody know of any problems putting 245/40-17 tire on the rear of a 325 with sport package. Will they even fit on the wheel that comes with the sport package? I notice the 330 with sport package (17" wheels) has a little better handling and feels a little more "planted" on the ground than the 325. I didn't know if this was because the 330 is lower or because of the rear wheel and tire size or probably it is both?

Thanks!

It will fit.. the wheel on the 325i is 8" vs 8.5" on the 330i, but that won't make any difference...

Any difference in feel between the 330 and the 325 might have been due to the extra weight of the 330... Or just a difference in tire pressure or brand.. I really doubt the wider tire in the rear made the difference.. I should know... I put M68 wheels/tires off a 330i sport on my 325i sport.. Just because I liked the wheels..

Most people will tell you that the "staggered" set-up on a 330i makes it understeer more at the handling limits than the 325i.. So, they consider the handling worse, not better.

regards,
kyfdx

[jnx]

I have the staggered set up on my 330, I don't notice any understeer, But I just drive it on the street, no tracking.

[pjsatz]

Thanks, I do see that the tires on the 330 are usually Z rated conti sport contacts and the 325 tires can vary from Bridgestone, Pirelli, Dunlop or Continentals and are W rated, I think. The 325s do indeed feel different based on what tire they have so as you say alot of the difference in the feel of the 330 is probably the tire brand and rating although there is some subtle diffence due to the wider tires on the back and a little more bumpy ride in the back. It seemed to me that the contis have a little firmer more bumpy ride than the other tires and the Pirellis have a softer ride with the Bridgestones being in between and a good compromise. I am comparing 325 to 330 and am going to buy one or the other. Of course there's alot more to that than just the handling.

I was somewhat mistaken when I said that the 330 sits lower. I was looking at the brochure for the 3 series and it does specify 4.29" ground clearence for a 330 and 4.88" for a 325 but of course that's because a 330 comes standard with the sport suspension. Although I couldn't find it I suspect the 325 with sport ground clearence is the same as the 330.

Thanks

[BBBMW]

I run Conti Sport 2's 245/40 ZR17 on my 325Ci with 225/45 ZR17 on the front. I have the sport package and the ride is a little firmer but sticks like glue on the bends.