Anyone running 17" wheels? whats the best tire combo

[Philo]

I have a set os BBS 17 inch x 8.5 inch wheels that came with stance works spaz style stretched tires that make the wheel rim end stick out further then the rubber. So wondering what tire combo guys with 17s are running.

[mooseheadm5]

What offset?

[m535is]

I am working on 245/255 for my car.

[wkohler]

I run 225/45/17 on 17x8.5 BBS RZs. It's on an M535i, so they fit. Fenders are rolled differently than the M5, so they will fit the M5 better. They have only rubbed a couple times.

I cannot tell you how much better then handling is with 16s, though. I think the stock M5 wheel is the optimum wheel on an E28.

[1st 5er]

235/45/17 all the way around.

[M5BB]

245/40/17 Pilot Sports on all 4.

I can barely get my finger between the rear tires and the wheel well right at the top but they have never rubbed even on the track at Barber Motor Sports.

[Rich Euro M5]

235/45/17 all the way around.

Those are E34 sized tires which are too large in rolling circumference for an E28. Another issue is the heavy steering feel and reduction in acceleration due to the increase in unsprung weight.

A 225/45/17 is very clsoe to a 225/50/16, 235/40/17 is undersized, while a 245/40/17 is about as close as you will get in a wider tire. An easy way to see this is use the Miata Tire Calculator.

[Ken H.]

PS2s all the way around.
235/45/17 front w/ 2.5mm spacer.
255/40/17 rear.

rims.
front: Style 5. 8.0 x 17 ET20.
rear: Style 5. 9.0 x 17 ET24 (offset machined from original ET22 to provide clearance)

[1st 5er]

235/45/17 all the way around.

Those are E34 sized tires which are too large in rolling circumference for an E28. Another issue is the heavy steering feel and reduction in acceleration due to the increase in unsprung weight.

A 225/45/17 is very clsoe to a 225/50/16, 235/40/17 is undersized, while a 245/40/17 is about as close as you will get in a wider tire. An easy way to see this is use the Miata Tire Calculator.

Tire Size Comparison

Specification---Sidewall---Radius---Diameter---Circumference---Revs/Mile---Difference
225/50-16--------4.4in------12.4in------24.9in----------78.1in------------811------------0.0%
225/45-17--------4.0in------12.5in------25.0in----------78.5in------------808------------0.5%
235/45-17--------4.2in------12.7in------25.3in--------- 79.6in------------796------------1.9%
245/40-17--------3.9in------12.4in------24.7in----------77.6in------------816------------0.6%

I see what your saying, but...
Not enough noticeable difference to be a big concern in speedo readings.
No rubbing issues on the stock ///M5 fenders even lowered on the Eibachs.
Fewer Revs/Mile equates into less wear.
None of the other local E28 ///M5's come close in acceleration, with my Dinan cam gear and chip install and bigger tires.
I like the look.
Based on all the above, I'm .

[AT8M5]

^^^ I agree, plus you get a little more rim protection and reduce the gap between the top of the tire and fender. I'm sure you can feel the difference on the track, but in traffic?
I think the biggest difference would be in 16" vs 17" wheels.

Karl

[rodpaine]

Snip... I cannot tell you how much better then handling is with 16s, though. I think the stock M5 wheel is the optimum wheel on an E28.

X2, even on my lowly 528e. I spent 4 years trying all sorts of 16, 17 and 18-inch wheel/tire combinations, including driving other E28s and found that the original Alpina and AC Schnitzer 205/55-16 on a 16x7 inch wheel/tire combo really performed the best during my many WV back road twisties runs (running Yoko AVS Sports). The combination improved when I installed 22mm and 16mm anti-sway bars and a front strut brace. I already had Bilstein HDs with the stock springs, which I later had revalved for +25% faster/stronger rebound control. I'd stick with a 16-inch fitment.
My $0.02 on the subject.
-Rod

[m-racer]

Snip... I cannot tell you how much better then handling is with 16s, though. I think the stock M5 wheel is the optimum wheel on an E28.

X2, even on my lowly 528e. I spent 4 years trying all sorts of 16, 17 and 18-inch wheel/tire combinations, including driving other E28s and found that the original Alpina and AC Schnitzer 205/55-16 on a 16x7 inch wheel/tire combo really performed the best during my many WV back road twisties runs (running Yoko AVS Sports). The combination improved when I installed 22mm and 16mm anti-sway bars and a front strut brace. I already had Bilstein HDs with the stock springs, which I later had revalved for +25% faster/stronger rebound control. I'd stick with a 16-inch fitment.
My $0.02 on the subject.
-Rod

I would tend to agree, but one more factor to consider is wheel weight. I actually think my staggered 17" RK's which weigh 14 lbs with 225-45 fronts and 245-40 rears handle better than the stock 16" setup. I have driven several 17" set ups that felt quite heavy in comparison to the 16's. I think in my case, it must be the weight of the wheels.

[rodpaine]

I would tend to agree, but one more factor to consider is wheel weight. I actually think my staggered 17" RK's which weigh 14 lbs with 225-45 fronts and 245-40 rears handle better than the stock 16" setup. I have driven several 17" set ups that felt quite heavy in comparison to the 16's. I think in my case, it must be the weight of the wheels.

Tim,
Yes, I certainly agree, weight plays a big roll. I felt it on my Honda Fit Sport, when I went from the stock 15-inch alloy with awful Dunlop SP31 A/S from the factory, to Honda Factory Performance 16-inch wheels and 205/45-16 Exclaim UHP tires, which reduced the total weight involved by 1.7 lbs per wheel. My current style 29 wheel/tire combo weighs 1 lb less than the original TRX combo using the 19 spoke 6-series wheels that were an option in '83. Love to have some light weight RK's though.
-Rod

[GaAlpinaOwner]

I love my staggered Style 42 setup on my M5 with PS2s
8JX17 ET:20
9JX17 ET:26

to me, looks best and handles best

[AT8M5]

I love my staggered Style 42 setup on my M5 with PS2s
8JX17 ET:20
9JX17 ET:26

to me, looks best and handles best

There you go, making me jealous again!

Phil, are you sure you don't want to keep the RS 211s, they are drop dead beautiful, imo.

Karl

[Philo]

Thanks guys.., great feedback !

What offset?

et 13 , these are BBS RS 212s.

Tire Size Comparison

Quote:
Specification---Sidewall---Radius---Diameter---Circumference---Revs/Mile---Difference
225/50-16--------4.4in------12.4in------24.9in----------78.1in------------811------------0.0%
225/45-17--------4.0in------12.5in------25.0in----------78.5in------------808------------0.5%
235/45-17--------4.2in------12.7in------25.3in--------- 79.6in------------796------------1.9%
245/40-17--------3.9in------12.4in------24.7in----------77.6in------------816------------0.6%

Thanks !.. this is awesome.

Phil, are you sure you don't want to keep the RS 211s, they are drop dead beautiful, imo.

Karl

Karl.., please buy them from me

[AT8M5]

Phil, you were a week too late, I had just bought a set of 17" staggered 5s. No, I don't need both.

Karl

[S14]

et 13 , these are BBS RS 212s.

Karl.., please buy them from me

et 13 on and 8.5 wheel is a little on the low side. I'd put a 225/45/17, or a 215/40/17 to be safe. 99% sure a 235/40/17 would rub.

I'd like to buy those if your selling!

[M5ZEALOT]

I love my staggered Style 42 setup on my M5 with PS2s
8JX17 ET:20
9JX17 ET:26

to me, looks best and handles best

[Tifoso]

I have 17 x 8.5 ET 13 on my M5, and can tell you that 235s will rub quite badly in the rear if lowered. I'm on spax springs and 225/45s, and the rears required additional fender rolling to eliminate rubbing around corners. Even with 225s, it's quite tight. Can't speak for fitment on cars with stock ride height, however.

[m535is]

Right now I am running Hartges on my car with 225 and 245s and the rears are a tight fit. They are 16x7.5 ET13 in the front and 16x8.5 ET24 in the rear. The 245/255 setup I working on will use M System II wheels 17x8 ET 20 front with a 3mm spacer and 17x9 ET26 rear.