ES3

Would it have been that difficult for Toyota to give us just an inch up front and in the rear more than what we can already get on the ISX50?

ChuH

Maybe because Lexus want to get higher gas mileage by using narrower tires to avoid gas guzzler tax. Wider tire and rims equals heavier weight and drag/resistance.

Chu...

Da Hapa

Probably because they're not necessary for anything but Bling and Toyota/Lexus probably thinks that anyone who is concerned about the curb appeal more than the actual performance value of the wheel is going to go aftermarket anyways.

The damn thing is going to be heavy enough as is. If it doesn't need wider, heavier wheels and tires... than I say good for them for not succumbing to the knee jerk reaction.

aco

If you don't think Lexus is concerned with Bling, than take another look at the LS series with that chrome strip running across bottom of the doors. I saw up close at TOL and the response from the friend I was with was, "Today, Bling sells."

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

the new M3 tires arent that much wider, if any, over the 335

05RollaXRS

275 mm in the back and 235 mm at the front (19 inches rim size).

vip3r1850

Thats the size that i suggest if you go aftermarket rims, you can squeeze the 245 up front, its alot easier to find more tires in a 245 than 235

aco

If you are referring to the tire size of the E92 M3, according to the latest issue of R&T, 10/2007, the tire specs are:
F: 245/40/18
R: 265/40/18

05RollaXRS

I was referring to the optional performance package (no M3 owner seems to be picking the standard 18 inch rims because they are too ugly and bland. The 19 inch optional rims are amazing). The tire size on the 19 inch rims is bigger than the 18 inch rims.

But, yeah the front size is 245mm and not 235mm.

dgsvt

This is from the CarandDriver M3 review

"The standard Michelin Pilot Sport PS2s are 245/40ZR-18s in front and 265/40ZR-18s in the rear; 19-inch wheels and tires with the same tread width are optional."
245/35-19
265/35-19

The tire width is no different than the 18's...

05RollaXRS

OK my bad. It is 245mm front and 265mm back, not 235mm front and 275 mm back.

But, I did compare 18 rims M3 with 19 inch rims back pictures and the stance of the 19 inch rim M3 from the back seems to wider and intimidating than that of the 18 inch rims.

Possibly the rim width could be different or just the offset (18 x 8 front and 18 x 9 back, 19x 9 front and 19 x 10 back). Then again, I could not find any stats on the 19 inch rims.

t0e

iTrader: (1)

I think it was Cost factor.

IS350jet

Actually, the 19's would be wider. The 19's are a 35 series tire while the 18's are a 40 series tire. As far as aspect ratio is concerned, the 19's are wider.

dgsvt

The aspect ratio has to do with sidewall height not the width of the tire. The width is the first number in mm. So for the rear M3 tire 265/35-19 =
265mm wide= 10.43 inches wide
265*.35 = 92.75mm sidewall = 3.65 inches sidewall
19 = rim height
19 rim + 3.65 top sidewall + 3.65 bottom sidewall = 26.3 overall tire height
so... 10.43" wide 26.3" height

If we use the 265/40-18 we get the same width tire 265mm
265mm wide
265 * .4 = 106mm sidewall = 4.17 inches sidewall
18" rim
18" rim + 4.17" top sidewall + 4.17" bottom sidewall = 26.34 overall tire height
so 10.43" wide 26.34" height

Both tires have almost the same overall height, but the exact same width.

ChuH

So what is the ideal tire size for the IS-F rim? I am thinking of change it once I get the IS-F. Don't like the stock look.

Chu...