Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2000 21:39:00 EST
From: LoweSeaton@aol.com
Subject: 235/40 Tires

seanh writes:

> as far as i know, every tire manufacturer says you need 8 inch rims 
>  for 235/40/17 tires.

I totally agree with Sean's post.  I've long argued BMW spec'd too narrow of 
a rim on our M3's.  Our M3's should have come with wider tires and rims if 
for no other reason than it looks much better.  The narrow rim does make the 
235 wear out in the center of the tread if you do lots of Interstate driving. 
 

There can't really be a safety concern.  Every tire manufacturer does 
recommend mounting 245/40 tires on 8.0 inch rims.  That is the same 
difference as mounting a 235/40 tire on a 7.5 inch rim.  A 245 tire is 
roughly 0.5 inch wider.  I think the Toyo rep is being a little bit extreme.

Lowell Seaton
'95 M3 - Toyo F1S 235/45 R-compound tires on 8.5" forged rims all around
BMW CCA #131505