Tire size for 16" RA

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tmoretta
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Tire size for 16" RA

Post by tmoretta »

I currently have 16 inch BBS RA wheels on my '88 M6. Tires are 225 50 in front and 265 45 in rear. I can find no tires in the 265 size to replace the rears. What is next best choice? I don't want to run the 225 50 size all around as the rear wheels are 1 inch wider (8 inch vs. 7). Sixteen inch tires in any size are really getting scarce. Should I just trash these nice BBS wheels and buy a set of 17 inch?
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Re: Tire size for 16" RA

Post by GRNSHRK »

tmoretta, I would suggest looking for 245/45's for the rear, the 265's are actually too tall anyway [-X

I have not checked for availability, but the typical staggered setup for 7' and 8" 16 inch wheels is 225/50 up front and 245/45 out back :wink:
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tschultz
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Re: Tire size for 16" RA

Post by tschultz »

Correct size would be 205/55/16 for the 7" fronts and 225/50/16 for the 8" rears. This is the Alpina setup and what should be fitted for optimum handling.

Not sure why so many people go so wide with wheels and tires, a 265 on an 8 wheel won't handle properly. The car will understeer worse with a wider rear tire, along with being heavier than they need to be. These cars aren't powerful enough to need more than a 235 width tire. Just get the right compound which makes the most difference.

That's the beauty of the original tire sizes. Light steering feel and response.
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Re: Tire size for 16" RA

Post by wattsmonkey »

tschultz wrote: That's the beauty of the original tire sizes. Light steering feel and response.
I completely agree. It's a subjective thing, of course, but I HATED the massive tyre setup using E34 Alpinas on my old sixer - 265 on back made the car feel stodgy and unresponsive to my mind.
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