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Technical Topics Wheels and Tires 330i 225 size tires? WHY?

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      06-10-2020, 01:18 AM   #1
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330i 225 size tires? WHY?

Does anyone have a clue why BMW decided to fit 225 size tires on the 330i? Seems very narrow to me. Especially considering the competition like Audi uses 245.

Anything to do with engine power and too much traction? Like, if the engine wasn't as strong, and had too much traction, the car would feel slow? The reason I say that is because I tried drifting a corner and when it regained traction, the engine kinda bogged down.
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      06-10-2020, 01:43 AM   #2
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      06-10-2020, 02:49 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kirr89 View Post
Does anyone have a clue why BMW decided to fit 225 size tires on the 330i? Seems very narrow to me. Especially considering the competition like Audi uses 245.

Anything to do with engine power and too much traction? Like, if the engine wasn't as strong, and had too much traction, the car would feel slow? The reason I say that is because I tried drifting a corner and when it regained traction, the engine kinda bogged down.
I’m assuming you have the US square setup of 225 all round. My U.K 330i came with staggered setup.

Front 8j x 19 (wheels) with 225/40 R19 tyres
Rear 8.5j x 19 (wheels) with 255/35 R19 Tyres.
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      06-10-2020, 09:39 AM   #4
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Yeah I have the US spec. 225's all around. I mean were they just going for the Toyota 86 aspect where they wanted to make it a "fun" car? They did accomplish that, however I would enjoy a bit more traction when I'm pushing it.
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      06-10-2020, 11:54 AM   #5
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Making it worse is that some of the M340i's come with the same 225 square setup! Terrible.
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      06-10-2020, 06:21 PM   #6
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Such an awesome car somewhat hurt by this decision. I mean its literally what helps translate such an awesome chassis and engine into performance. Why skip on that when it would only have added maybe 500-800 dollars more I'm assuming.
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      06-10-2020, 08:44 PM   #7
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I was very disappointed to learn of the wheel sizes on this car. If it had wider wheels and tires the car would look so much better. Looking to replacing them with a wider option.
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      06-10-2020, 08:50 PM   #8
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Tire rack told me not to go bigger than 235 40 19 for a square setup. I have the same car. Practical examples are obviously better than their opinion.
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      06-10-2020, 08:55 PM   #9
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Any way to fit a bigger size tire without changing the rims? I have a lease and don't want to do any damage or spend money on rims for a car I'm going to turn in within 2 years.
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      06-11-2020, 07:42 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kirr89 View Post
Does anyone have a clue why BMW decided to fit 225 size tires on the 330i? Seems very narrow to me. Especially considering the competition like Audi uses 245.

Anything to do with engine power and too much traction? Like, if the engine wasn't as strong, and had too much traction, the car would feel slow? The reason I say that is because I tried drifting a corner and when it regained traction, the engine kinda bogged down.
I believe their thinking on benefits is that buyer of xDrive models want good performance in snow/rain too, and narrower tires tend to perform better in those weather conditions. It also lowers rolling resistance making the car a little faster than with wider tires. With xDrive, giving up the extra traction of wider tires is just a non-issue, this car has all the traction I'll ever need (even in snow!). Also less rolling resistance is easier on engine and other mechanical bits.

Honestly I don't think the 225 square config look weak at all, but maybe it's my particular configuration (19" 791M all black). The Msport back bumper mostly hides the rear tires from any other car viewer angle, and from the side the black wheels combined with black tires give them a meaty look overall.
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      11-10-2020, 02:54 AM   #11
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Reasons to stay with 225/40R19 OEM size

My wife's new 2021 M340i also came with 225/40R19 on all 4 wheels (19x8" 791M, black w/machined double spokes). The original all-season Pirelli Cinturato P7 run-flat tires were not too bad, but also not great for ride comfort, nor sharp handling.

So I replaced the Pirellis right away with non-runflat tires and an Extended Mobility Kit, and stored them in the garage for when we return the lease. I got a set of all-season tires (Michelin Primacy Tour A/S) mounted on Petrol P5A wheels for winters, and a set of ultra-high-performance tires (Firehawk Indy 500, made by Bridgestone in Japan) on the original wheels for the rest of the year. (All highly recommended, BTW.)

Here are my reasons for keeping the same 225/40R19 tire size front and back, instead of getting wider tires (or a staggered fitment with 255/35 in back):
1. To minimize the total unsprung weight of the tire & wheel package. The BMW wheels are not so light to begin with. I couldn't find the spec for my 791M's, but I guess they're about 28lb each (like the 792M's, reported here). With aftermarket wheels, it's possible to go significantly lighter, but only at a high price -- at least for a nice 19" design.
The tires weigh 26lb each for the Michelins, 24lb for the Firehawk Indy 500's, so each corner of the car already has a whopping 52-54lb of spinning weight on it, and that's already too much. (A Michelin Pilot Sport 4S weighs just 22lb for 225/40. I have those on my 440i and they're great. But the Indy 500's, made by Bridgestone in Japan, are a bargain and very smooth. They also have a decent UTQG Treadwear rating of 340 and a great tread pattern.)
2. To preserve the steering, handling, and driving characteristics of the M340i as it was designed. Although there is a 255/35R19 rear option, which I got on my 440i, it's basically a cosmetic improvement that actually worsens handling. Even if it helps straight-line acceleration, it adds rear weight and scrubbing.
3. To avoid extra cost for a wider set of rear wheels (as well as tires wider than 225).
4. To maximize MPG (for convenience, cost, and to make you or your wife feel good about yourself?).
5. To enable front/back tire rotation (and possibly extend tire life, reducing cost).
6. To maximize traction in snow.

Last edited by Korokoro; 11-10-2020 at 02:56 AM.. Reason: accuracy
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      11-10-2020, 10:45 AM   #12
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Man. I cannot even imagine how unruly an M340i with 225s will be like!!! When I take turns aggressively in my 330i, the rear kicks out even with TC on. It is fun, but not something everyone can handle. The M340i will probably take that up to the next level!
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      11-18-2020, 12:49 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Korokoro View Post
My wife's new 2021 M340i also came with 225/40R19 on all 4 wheels (19x8" 791M, black w/machined double spokes). The original all-season Pirelli Cinturato P7 run-flat tires were not too bad, but also not great for ride comfort, nor sharp handling.

So I replaced the Pirellis right away with non-runflat tires and an Extended Mobility Kit, and stored them in the garage for when we return the lease. I got a set of all-season tires (Michelin Primacy Tour A/S) mounted on Petrol P5A wheels for winters, and a set of ultra-high-performance tires (Firehawk Indy 500, made by Bridgestone in Japan) on the original wheels for the rest of the year. (All highly recommended, BTW.)

Here are my reasons for keeping the same 225/40R19 tire size front and back, instead of getting wider tires (or a staggered fitment with 255/35 in back):
1. To minimize the total unsprung weight of the tire & wheel package. The BMW wheels are not so light to begin with. I couldn't find the spec for my 791M's, but I guess they're about 28lb each (like the 792M's, reported here). With aftermarket wheels, it's possible to go significantly lighter, but only at a high price -- at least for a nice 19" design.
The tires weigh 26lb each for the Michelins, 24lb for the Firehawk Indy 500's, so each corner of the car already has a whopping 52-54lb of spinning weight on it, and that's already too much. (A Michelin Pilot Sport 4S weighs just 22lb for 225/40. I have those on my 440i and they're great. But the Indy 500's, made by Bridgestone in Japan, are a bargain and very smooth. They also have a decent UTQG Treadwear rating of 340 and a great tread pattern.)
2. To preserve the steering, handling, and driving characteristics of the M340i as it was designed. Although there is a 255/35R19 rear option, which I got on my 440i, it's basically a cosmetic improvement that actually worsens handling. Even if it helps straight-line acceleration, it adds rear weight and scrubbing.
3. To avoid extra cost for a wider set of rear wheels (as well as tires wider than 225).
4. To maximize MPG (for convenience, cost, and to make you or your wife feel good about yourself?).
5. To enable front/back tire rotation (and possibly extend tire life, reducing cost).
6. To maximize traction in snow.
The 255 rears are to improve and balance the vehicles handling, not just straight line grip, although the xdrive system is significantly rear biased(and obviously rwd is rear biased lol). Notice all the performance packages come with the wider rears and conversely there are no performance summer tire options that come square..... the wider rears are not for show. They are the preferred setup from bmw engineers to maximize performance.

The square setup with regular grand touring all seasons is there for consumers buying for the badge and/or do not care about maximizing performance driving characteristics . The same buyers who generally also can not be bother be educated on tire type, summer vs winter, etc. Which truth be told is the majority of 3 series buyers. Hence why so many on the lots have square setups.
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      11-18-2020, 04:22 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xlover View Post
The 255 rears are to improve and balance the vehicles handling, not just straight line grip, although the xdrive system is significantly rear biased(and obviously rwd is rear biased lol). Notice all the performance packages come with the wider rears and conversely there are no performance summer tire options that come square..... the wider rears are not for show. They are the preferred setup from bmw engineers to maximize performance.

The square setup with regular grand touring all seasons is there for consumers buying for the badge and/or do not care about maximizing performance driving characteristics . The same buyers who generally also can not be bother be educated on tire type, summer vs winter, etc. Which truth be told is the majority of 3 series buyers. Hence why so many on the lots have square setups.
Since the original question was for the 330i, I would say the advantage of a staggered set up would be minimal and only in certain conditions. With a good set of summer tires like the PS4S the 330i isn't pushing enough power to really cause any issues and would be the better set up to prevent understeer.

With the m340i I'm sure good summer tires on a square set up would work but they likely wouldn't inspire much confidence when really pushing it in corners. Staggered would definitely be the "better" option.

This was an interesting video comparing setups

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      11-22-2020, 10:57 AM   #15
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Tires are not the only factor in traction. There is a thing called mechanical grip with the chassis and suspension provide. Equal grip with narrower tires can be achieved while improving fuel efficiency and unsprung weight.
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