nardeezy

I know this subject may have been hammered tons of times. Most car enthusiasts will say that you should not use a staggered setup on an AWD because it will damage the differentials. I have a few comments and questions about this:

- I am looking at www.bmwusa.com and how is it that some of their awd vehicles (X5, X6, 535xi) have staggered wheel/tire applications as an option. Whereas other awd vehicles (335xi, 528xi) don't have staggered wheel options. Why is that? Based on the BMW options it seems like it's okay to use a staggered setup on a regular awd vehicle, not a Porsche Carrera 4S, Lamborghini Gallardo, Audi R8, Skyline GT-R, etc. in which these awd supercars are exceptions?

- When I got to www.tirerack.com and research the replacement tire options for BMW awd vehicles some staggered tire options have rolling diameters that are as much as .3" off from front to rear. The typical rule of thumb is to use the exact same diameter.

- How much different is the BMW xDrive awd system than the Lexus GS awd system?

I have been using a staggered setup on my awd for a while (2.5 years/8500 miles) and I am concerned about the long term effects. I need to replace my tires and I am contemplating using a lower profile tire (35/30 to 30/25 series) to get the rolling diameters closer to stock (25.9").

Feedback please...

ALso reference http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/dir...w/.ef3fcce/708

RudeDoggy

I too am a bit curious about this. I'm not in the market for rims quite yet but I think eventually I would like them and I would like to make an informed decision.

My friend has a US-spec 08 BMW 335xi coupe with sport package and I can confirm that his tires came staggered. The exact dimensions I can't recall at this moment, but I do remember that there was a rolling diameter difference of about 1.3%. Using a tire calculator I was able to run a staggered setup that had a difference of about 0.2-0.3% (whether they would actually fit without rubbing is another issue altogether) and compared to stock (225/50R17) was also about 0.2-0.3% off.

gs350on22s

humm this doesn't feel good hearing that staggered damages..
i am running 22" staggered 245/30 front and 285/25 rear.

nardeezy

I think to make that assumption you need to get a full understanding of an all wheel drive system and how tire circumference (rotation per mile) among all four tires affects the system. Particularly, the center differential, which compensates wheel speeds between the front and rear tires.

The reason I started this thread is to inform awd owners that running a staggered setup may not be bad if it's done correctly.

The typical response is that staggered wheels/tires on an awd vehicle will damage the driveline system. However, being that BMW offers staggered wheel/tire from the factory or as an option for a lot of their awd vehicles is a good thing.

Like I said earlier to start the thread, some of the BMW replacement tire options on Tire Rack have up to .3" overall diameter differences (1.15%) for the front and rear tires of a 535xi.

nardeezy

How's your ride quality, no vibrations? Your tire sizes are close to 28" in overall diameter. Your gas mileage and speedometer must be way off!

Piranha12

I need some help picking out some wheels for my Matador Red GS 350, here is 18 inch wheel i was considering, what do you all think?

I8ABMR

I dont think you have anything to worry about it man . the sizes you are using are really really close in overall diameter. Post more pics of your ride man. It looks insane

I8ABMR

I am not into the layered look to the wheels. It is more of a contemporary style, unlike mine, but trendy can look funny in 5 years. I would probably try to go with a 20" set up and dont drop it if you want to look good, but not mod the suspension. I

nardeezy

245/30/22 and 285/25/22 (27.8" diameter) are roughly the same in front/rear diameter but are apporx. 2" larger in overall stock diamter.

Also, the max load of the 245/30/22 tires is less than the max load of the stock tires (225/50/17) which is approx. 1433lbs.

Rule of thumb is that the max load should be equal to or greater than the max load of the oem tires?

nardeezy

FYI, the IS 2nd generations forums have a lot to say about staggered awd's, here's what I've tapped into:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=335998

retrospexo

i swear there's so much info on wheels out here lol. when i close my eyes i just see rims and tire sizes floating around o_0

nardeezy

Those AWD owners who are running a staggered setup, please reply with miles driven and any computer or drivetrain problems? To date, my vehicle is all good.

passnu2

iTrader: (33)

I know many local 2IS and GS owners that are staggered and have not had one problem. Just make sure your over all rolling diameter is as close as possible.

Take all the variables that play a roll in this. Each tire has a variance on it, your tires have a variance, your tires wear uneven. Your car is designed to work with this. Its never going to be perfect.

For instance here is my tire set up on staggered:

255/30-20 Front
Sidewall - 3.0"
Radius - 13.0"
Diameter - 26.0"
circumference - 81.1"
revs/mile - 775

295/25-20
Sidewall - 2.9"
Radius - 12.9"
Diameter - 25.8"
circumference - 81.1"
revs/mile - 781

I would run this set up if I had an AWD all day long.

telmz1

iTrader: (1)

I need to change my michelin pilot tires because I'm rubbing hard with my 245/35/20 and 280/30/20 setup. I shaved the back so I'm good there but in the front I'm only rubbing on the inner liner and the metal pieces that connect the front bumper and fender. We tried the using the heat gun and grinding the metal down as much as possible but still rubbing.

Wouldn't 245/30 be a better match with 295/25? I thought diameter was crucial here?

245/30/20
Sidewall - 2.9"
Radius -12.9"
Diameter - 25.8"
circumference - 81.0"
revs/mile - 782

ek9vboi

iTrader: (3)

All this talk about overall this and that. Just get a tire that fits and don't rub. Some people over think that a little bit off will do damage to your car.

245/30-20 is what I am running on my car with an offset of 33, minor rubbing on hard corners. Next tire will be 235/30-20 so there will be no rubbing, maybe I'll add spacers to make it more aggressive.